Participate and share: Interactive session 
Recorded Session
Technology can be a powerful tool to provide assistance and accommodations for all learners. The vast majority of these tools are free and work within the Google ecosystem of products. Over the years I have collected a wide range of such technology tools, extensions, add-ons, web apps, and more. The purpose of this session will be to demonstrate how these tools can help any and all learners, as well as how to find, install, use, and manage these resources in school.
The major topics and resources covered will include:
1) Text to speech tools: Read&Write for Google, Immersive Reader, ChromeOS Select-to-Speak
2) Speech to text tools: Docs Voice Typing, VoiceIn Voice Typing, Live Captions, ChromeOS Dictation
3) Readability tools: Mercury Reader, Reader View, Dyslexia Friendly, OpenDyslexic, ATbar, MagicScroll Web Reader, Visor, High Contrast, ChromeOS High-contrast mode, Full-screen magnifier, and Docked magnifier
4) Reading comprehension tools: Google Dictionary, QuillBot, SMMRY
5) Audio Support - Mote
6) Behavior and focus tools: Simple Blocker, Tide, Move It, uBlock Origin, Pear Deck, Keep
7) Navigation tools: Caret Browsing, Click-free Browsing, Vimium, CrxMouse, ChromeOS Automatic clicks, Large mouse cursor, Highlight mouse cursor, and Sticky keys
The session will cover the following information. Note: live links to the resources referenced below can be accessed at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JrkpV_nqKIMJGf9stP-8jgMZuXVuqRF7vtCSUti0-Ds/edit
1) Text to speech tools (10 minutes)
2) Speech to text tools (10 minutes)
3) Readability tools (10 minutes)
4) Reading comprehension tools (10 minutes)
5) Audio support tools (10 minutes)
6) Behavior and focus tools (5 minutes)
7) Navigation tools (5 minutes)
The entire session will be hands-on, as the participants will be encouraged to install and try out the tools as I demonstrate each one.
Much research has been done to show the benefits of assistive technology. An excellent summary of current research can be seen in the article "Benefits of Assistive Technology" by Mary Sagstetter, M.A.Ed at: http://www.csun.edu/~hfdss006/conf/2002/proceedings/16.htm
Among the many benefits cited from research, she includes:
Increased ability to participate in and contribute more fully to activities in home, school, work environments, and in communities.
Increased self-motivation
Increased independence
Expanded learning and life experiences
New opportunities for interactions and communication
In addition, several of the resources and approaches demonstrated in my session are listed as positive influences on student achievement in James Hattie's "Visible Learning" study including:
Interventions for students with learning needs
Self-efficacy
Scaffolding
Summarization
Feedback
Technology in writing
Elaboration and organization
https://visible-learning.org/hattie-ranking-influences-effect-sizes-learning-achievement/
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