SET-BC Direct: February 2001

Special Education Technology-British Columbia

Welcome to SET-BC Direct, an on-line newsletter for people who are interested in issues and resources regarding the use of assistive technologies in education.

SET-BC Direct is intended to help teachers and other professionals who have questions regarding the implementation of technology for students with special needs. Subscribers may also be interested in the SET-BC program itself; our model for service delivery and the projects we develop to better assist students with disabilities.

In this issue:

1. SET News
2. Training Opportunities
3. Project Updates
4. Software Kudos
5. Web Travel
6. Partners
7. Product Highlight

1. SET News

SET-BC's Upcoming Events Calendar - In order to share information on assistive technology events in British Columbia, we compile an Upcoming Events calendar on our website. Visit http://www.setbc.org/setnews/upcoming.html to view calendars of upcoming opportunities for special needs technology information and training sessions. SET-BC and public events are listed. Contact cmcavoy@setbc.org if you wish to post information about an upcoming technology event.

2. Training Opportunities

Manon Dube from Optelec will be visiting BC sites in March to provide training on the Braille Note. Go to the SET-BC website - Upcoming Events for details and dates.

Bob Keller, of Don Johnston Inc. will be visiting BC sites in April to provide information and training sessions pertaining to assistive technology products from "Don Johnston, Inc. - The Leader in Learning Intervention Resources." Check Upcoming Events on our website for information updates. Note! - Event dates are not confirmed as yet.

3. Project Updates

Virtual Voices : AAC Newsletter - Visit the VV Newsletter collection. As a follow-up to the Virtual Voices camp that was held this past summer at Camp Squamish, we thought it would be fun to keep in touch through a Virtual Voices newsletter (inspired by News-4-You @ www.news-4-you.com). To include student work, and any activities that you would like to share, please send your ideas and suggestions for future editions to Elaine Proska email: eproska@setbc.org

4. Software Kudos

Claire Zeijdel and Lorna Klashinsky of Bridges presented a "What's New at Bridges" session to SET-BC staff. Two products that caught our attention were: Clicker 4 and Word Bar. The products are produced in the UK for Windows systems. Note: Clicker 4 has now announced its release on the Mac platform too.

Clicker 4 - If you are working with early writers, with struggling writers, or students needing alternative access, then Clicker 4 could be for you. Clicker 4 onscreen grids enable students to write with whole words, phrases, and pictures. The auditory prompt and multiple category tab capabilities make Clicker 4 an exciting discovery. Winner of five BETT Awards, Clicker is now considered an industry standard in UK schools, and its use is rapidly growing worldwide. Clicker is produced by Crick software. Visit their website at www.cricksoft.com. Crick software is available in Canada through Bridges. Contact Lorna Klashinsky for more information.

Word Bar - Are you looking for ways to support writing with older pupils? If so, Wordbar is what you need. Wordbar is an onscreen toolbar that runs with Windows applications. In short, Word Bar is an extremely powerful, yet easy-to-use talking wordbank with "street credibility".

Software Prize Draw - Enter the SET Direct draw for a chance to win software that enhances learning for special needs students. Bridges has generously offered Wordbar to the lucky winner of this edition's software draw. To enter the prize draw, email cmcavoy@setbc.org.

5. Web Travel

For ideas for Technology lessons visit the Apple Learning Exchange / Units of Practice. The Units of Practice area is the gem of the Apple Learning Interchange. Each UOP is developed by an experienced teacher, and exemplifies an approach to integrating technology into the teaching and learning process. The powerful search tool will help you find the curriculum ideas that you need.

Visit these sites for study support in a variety of areas:

• The Purdue site is an excellent resource for writers. http://owl.english.purdue.edu/lab/owl/index.html
• To sign up for daily grammar reinforcement sheets, reviews, and quizzes via your email, contact http://www.studyweb.com.

6. Partners

We are pleased to highlight the article in The Journal of Special Education Technology Vol. 1, No. 1, Winter 2000 entitled A Retrospective Analysis of Technology Use Patterns of Students with Autism Over a Five-Year Period. This article, co-authored by Dr. Pat Mirenda and Diana Wilk of the University of British Columbia and Paul Carson of SET-BC, highlights the favorable impact of technology on students with Autism for communication, written output and educational activities.

7. Product Highlight

The Communipak is a new multipurpose communication system, to be used with Velcro backed picture symbols, photographs or words. The Communipak is very useful for visual scheduling, conversation, remnants, grocery shopping, ordering from restaurants and so on. It is a durable lightweight pak worn around the waist, constructed with a 7"-6 ring binder that allows for easy customizing to meet individual needs.

Price $89.95 Please note that picture communication and/or word symbols are not included. For more information please contact Adaptive Creations Inc., 3240 Samuels Crescent, Coquitlam B.C. V3E-1C8 (adaptive.creations@3web.net)