Creating Materials Using Augmentative/Alternative Communication Emulation Software

The PASS software download from PRC-Saltillo allows users to run the various augmentative/alternative communication (AAC) language configurations (i.e. Unity, UNIDAD, CoreScanner, LAMP Words for Life, WordPower, Essence) on a Windows computer. The software has features which allow users to create support materials to help teach language such as Smart Charts (displays of the path to get to a specific word) to help locate vocabulary and the creation of manual boards that match the overlay in a person’s communication device. The software is approved to be installed on Windows computers supported by Loudoun County Public Schools. The following video describes how to create examples of instructional materials:

 

Kindergartners Learn About Language Using Augmentative/Alternative Communication

May is Better Hearing and Speech Month! In preparation for the month, learners in Kindergarten at Round Hill Elementary School engaged in an experience where they explored augmentative/alternative communication. Led by speech language pathologist Amy Cote and supported by an ensemble of other educators including the early childhood special educators, the Kindergartners explored the Language Acquisition Through Motor Planning: Words for Life application. The students learned how the app was organized, explored how to find words, and discussed what it meant to be a supportive communication partner to their peers who are using the application to help them learn language. If you’re interested in leading a similar event, reach out to the Specialized Instructional Facilitator – Assistive Technology who works at your school! Collage of images of educators working with students engaged in experiences related to augmentative/alternative communication

Text to Speech in Content from Britannica School

Britannica School, a tool available in Loudoun County Public Schools, provides resources with a built-in text to speech function which highlights the sentence being read aloud. The highlighting invites learners to follow along with their eyes to track the content. Text to speech is accessed by pressing the play icon located in different locations based on which level (elementary, middle, or high) is being used. Britannica School is available through LCPS Go.

Screenshot of a sentence highlighted in yellow from an article on ferrets from Britannica School

Experiencing Ambient Noise and/or Images While Working By Choosing from a (Star Wars Lofi) Playlist

Prevent students and family members from being drawn to the Dark Side by inviting them to choose from a list of videos which play different ambient background music and images while they work on other projects all with the theme of Star Wars. Display on any screen, such as a Chromebook or shared interactive whiteboard, for a multi-modal sensory experience that is out of this world. This is the way to participate in Star Wars Day that invites choice, provides a soothing experience, and that helps provide rich opportunities for language expression! May the Fourth Be With You!

Selecting a Voice for Text to Speech in MackinVia

MackinVia, a tool available in Loudoun County Public Schools, provides ebooks with an option to have the text read aloud using text to speech with a variety of voice options. Listeners can choose which voice best matches their personal preference. MackinVia is available through LCPS Go and as an app in the Google Play Store on Chromebooks.

Screenshot of an ebook with 5 different voice options displayed.

Screenshot of an ebook in Mackinvia displaying 5 different voice options.

Creating Graphs Using Desmos and EquatIO

The Google Chrome extension EquatIO invites users to create graphs using Desmos. The Equation Editor features of EquatIO allow a user to create equations that will populate a graph. The Equation Editor allows for various ways to create equations including typing with prediction, speech to math, and handwriting conversion. Users can then transfer the graph to another file, like a Google Doc. The following video is a short demonstration of how to create graphs using EquatIO. At the time of this blog post’s publication, EquatIO is available to every learner in Loudoun County Public Schools.

Adjusting Playback Speeds of Text to Speech in MackinVia

MackinVia, a tool available in Loudoun County Public Schools, provides ebooks with an option to adjust the playback speed. Listeners can adjust the speed to either slow down or speed up the playback based on their needs. MackinVia is available through LCPS Go and as an app in the Google Play Store on Chromebooks.

Screenshot of the Call of the Wild from MackinVia with the variable speed function displayed showing .25x, .5x, 1x, 1.25x, and 1.5x

Screenshot of a book in MackinVia showing the variable playback speed options.

Modeling Language Using Augmentative/Alternative Communication Emulation Software

The PASS software download from PRC-Saltillo allows users to run the various augmentative/alternative communication (AAC) language configurations (i.e. Unity, UNIDAD, CoreScanner, LAMP Words for Life, WordPower, Essence) on a Windows computer. The software works the same way as the AAC tool except it does not speak aloud. The software is useful for educators to model language on a laptop or interactive whiteboard using the same AAC configuration as a learner.

The software is approved to be installed on Windows computers supported by Loudoun County Public Schools.

Screenshot of Website to Download Pass

Aligning Equations using EquatIO

Learners sometimes make mistakes with math because they have not lined up the numbers properly. A strategy that might help is to use the Google Chrome extension EquatIO to automatically align the numbers. Use the Equation Editor in EquatIO to generate math on the first line. Press “Enter” to move the cursor to the second line. A series of icons will appear in the menu bar which can be used to align the math. The math will be aligned to the left by default Select Align Left, Align Center, Align Right, or Align by Relation based on need or preference. Aligning by relation will allow the user to align by the equal sign which will create another column in order for this to happen. At the time of  this blog post’s publication, EquatIO is available to every learner in Loudoun County Public Schools.

Accessing Resources With Switches Through the Tarheel Gameplay Library

Tarheel Gameplay is a website that turns videos into interactive experiences by intermittent pausing. Users search the library of activities all of which are created by other users. Once a video is selected and started, it pauses periodically. The participant then selects the button that appears on the screen either directly, by pressing a key on a keyboard (like the Enter key), or by activating a switch.

Screenshot of the Tarheel Gameplay Library

Tarheel Gameplay

More button over the top of a video of 5 Little Snowmen

More button over a video in Tarheel Gameplay.