WordArt.com

I have written about word clouds and word cloud generators in a previous Blog post.  As a reminder:

A Word Cloud is a graphical representation of word frequency.

A Word Cloud Generator is a tool that can be used to create visualizations from blocks of text. The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more often in the text. 

I have learned about a new word cloud generator that I want to share:

WordArt.com

WordArt.com is an online word art creator that enables you to create amazing and unique word art with ease.  It is Easy, Fun and Customizable.

Word Central

Merriam-Webster has a fun word site called:



Word Central has amazing word games and challenges for spellers of all ages.  It has a standard dictionary, a thesaurus and will even create a rhyming words list.  

Word Central has some wonderful educational features as well as a "For Educators" section.

Check out wordcentral.com today! 

Bookshare: New apps for Reading

Bookshare is now available on new FREE apps for both iOS and Android devices.

For iOS you can now use: 
Dolphin EasyReader
By Dolphin Computer Access Ltd

For Android you can now use:

Go Read

by Benetech

Both apps allow for a variety of voice options, text color, background color and highlighting color options.  They both also offer users the option to change the reading speed.

Check out more information about these apps and others that are supported by Bookshare at:

Member Preferred Tools.

The Meaning Behind the Name, a reminder

AT / UDL Tips & Tricks for Everyone...
What does AT stand for?
What is the meaning behind UDL?

Truthfully AT and UDL go hand-in-hand.

AT - Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology consists of DEVICES and SERVICES that help children 
with disabilities carry out a functional activity in their environment.
UDL - Universal Design for Learning
U.D.L. Technology consists of DEVICES and SERVICES that help children
carry out a functional activity in their environment.

Blabberize, a reminder

Are you looking for a fun new way for your students to present a report to the class? Do you have a student that is shy and struggles with oral reports? Are you looking for a different way to give directions to your class, maybe for when there is a substitute? I have just the thing for you. Turn a photo into a talking report with Blabberize.

Blabberize is as simple as 1, 2, 3.

1. Upload a picture

2. select the mouth on the picture and 

3. record the sound.

Listen to "Abraham Lincoln" recite part of the Gettysburg Address.

Guided Access, a reminder

What is Guided Access? How can it help in my classroom?

Guided Access is a built in Accessibility feature on the iPad. It helps students stay focused on a task while using the iPad. It limits the device to a single app and lets the teacher control which features are available.

Guided Access is a great technology management tool and can be enabled in a couple of quick steps.

Speech to Text, a refresher

Consider for a moment your students. Think about the ones who struggle to get their ideas onto paper. How about the students who struggle with spelling or have fine motor control issues. 

Speech to Text is a tool that can help these students and many others. Speech to Text is an Accessibility feature built into most computers today. It is a tool that allows a writer to dictate their thoughts and ideas into a document. Many Speech to Text options also allow you to speak the punctuation and a multitude of voice commands for editing purposes.

Google Docs has a built in Speech to Text option called Voice Typing.

Google offers a fairly comprehensive instructional guide for Voice Typing. The guide includes a list of languages supported by Voice Typing as well as a list of punctuation that can be voice enabled. The guide also includes a list of voice commands for formatting or editing your document in the sections under “Voice commands”. There are also some troubleshooting tips located near the end of the guide.

Because it is an accessibility feature, you can enable Speech to Text on a Mac.

Apple also provides a set-up and use guide that includes a variety of voice commands.

Give it a try! You (and your students) will love it!