Students with Cognitive Difficulties Cognitive difficulties can range from mild to severe.

Depending upon the level of severity, various types of technology are available to assist the student. Those with mild cognitive disabilities benefit from the integration of text-to-speech products and word prediction software assist in language arts lessons. Providing students with more severe cognitive disabilities with life skills assistive technology helps prepare them for the future. Penfriend

Penfriend is a word prediction spelling tool which helps students with dyslexia or who have difficulty using the keyboard. Also available is a screen reader with text magnification, and on-screen keyboards to assist students in language arts assignments. WordAid

WordAid provides students with mild cognitive disabilities a wordlist tool. Wordlists are organized in alphabetical order and appear as the user types words starting with the letter(s) typed are presented for selection. A user friendly tool, topic lists appear after a space or punctuation mark is typed. Students can access lists using the keyboard, mouse, or words can be spoken using Speech Application Programming Interface (SAPI) text-to-speech. The lists can be modified by the user or by an aid and new lists can be created from text files. Students with Physical Difficulties Physical difficulties impede the students ability to use fine motor skills, making it difficult to utilize mainstream electronic devices. Many tools are available, making all types of technology accessible and providing equal opportunities to those with physical difficulties.

Enable Viacam

Enable Viacam a mouse replacement software for students with limited or no mobility in their hands or arms. The software allows the user to direct the pointer using ones head. Enable Viacam works on standard PCs equipped with a web camera. This software allows students with physical disabilities that would normally inhibit their use of a keyboard to participate in language arts activities including writing, creating slide presentations, and games. GazeTalk

GazeTalk is a text entry software for severely disabled students. The program uses a restricted on-screen keyboard that allows the use of an eye tracker. Students can navigate GazeTalk using head tracking, mouse, joystick, or any other pointing device to write, use the Internet, send email, and use multimedia. All of these are integral parts of language arts lessons using technology in the classroom and this program allows severely disabled students access to the same resources as their peers. Students with Sensory Difficulties Hearing and vision impairments vary in severity. Some students are afflicted with 100% loss where as others suffer from partial loss. Regardless of the level of impairment or disability, all students should be provided the tools necessary to make the learning experience a positive one.

PFM 330 RCH Rechargeable Personal FM System

Classrooms are often filled with noise creating a difficult learning environment for students with hearing impairments. The PFM 330 TCH Rechargeable Personal FM System helps to alleviate background noise and enhancing sound over distance. Language arts lessons often involve reading and speaking. This amplification tool assists hearing-impaired students to hear the same readings and speakers as their peers. Kurzweil 1000 Windows Version 13

Kurzweil 1000 Windows Version 13 scan and read software makes printed or electronic text accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired. Combining traditional reading machine technologies such as scanning, image processing, and text-to-speech with communication and productivity tools Kurzweil 1000 helps to ease and enhance users' reading, writing, and learning experiences. The software speaks text aloud in a variety of natural-sounding voices that can be modified to individual preferences. Students using this software are provided the ability to write and edit documents, and to complete simple forms independently. It also includes features for note taking, summarizing content, and outlining text. At-Risk Students At-risk students do not fit the federal definition of disabled but often exhibit similar performance characteristics when compared to students with disabilities. Unfortunately because of the technical definition of disabled, at-risk students are not provided the assistance they need to experience success. Although the

challenges they face are different from those with cognitive, physical, and sensory difficulties, they should not be denied access assistive technology. Inspiration

Students experiencing difficulty organizing or sequencing tasks would benefit from using Inspiration in language arts classes. Inspiration helps at-risk students develop and gather ideas, organize thoughts, analyze and interpret information, clarify understanding, and communicate clearly. All of these skills are not only imperative for success in language arts, but will assist these learners as they enter the work force. Raz-Kids

Too often at-risk students do not experience success in reading, which directly affects success in all content areas. Students using Raz-Kids can listen to a wide variety of leveled books for modeled fluency, independently read books, and then record what they have read. An eQuiz is available for each leveled eBook to test for reading comprehension. Students can access books and practice anywhere there the Internet is available. Gifted and Talented Students Gifted and talented students present a unique challenge to educators. These students exhibit advanced capabilities, needing access to activities and services aimed at encouraging academic growth.

WebQuest

WebQuest.Org provides gifted and talented students with several search engines to locate webquests to complete. Webquests are inquiry based learning projects where students use a variety of websites to locate information on any given topic and create a report or slide presentation. Animoto

Gifted and talented students need challenging ways to share their projects, and Animoto is an outstanding tool for purpose. Using video to share student projects is a step up from narrated slide presentations. Students can share images or graphics, a story, an idea, an opinion, or a poem using Animoto. iPod Apps Students with Cognitive Difficulties iTouchiLearn Words: Speech and Language Skills

iTouchiLearn Words for iPod provides students with cognitive difficulties a tool that will assist them in writing, reading, and speech. Meeting Common Core State Standards, iTouchiLearn provides activities to help with word recognition, spelling, reading, audio, fine motor skills, speech, and language.

Spell Block with Sight Words

Spell Block with Sight Words helps students recognize and spell common sight words. Children will have access to over 200 Dolch Sight Words, practicing how to spell the word by moving the blocks after it is spoken. Students with Physical Difficulties Dexteria Fine Motor Skill Development

Dexteria contains a set of therapeutic hand exercises aimed at improving fine motor skills and handwriting readiness. Students using this app will build strength, control, and dexterity, assisting them in developing the physical skills to complete writing projects.

Dragon Go!

Students with severe physical difficulties preventing the use of hands and arms would benefit from using Dragon Go!. Dragon Go! allows students to take speech to text to create various language arts documents. Students with Sensory Difficulties Face Time

Using FaceTime, hearing impaired students can actively communicate using sign language. Video is very high quality and users are able to see every gesture and facial expression as if they were in the same room. Signed Stories

Signed Stories bring books to hearing impaired students where they can read books and watch the stories being retold using sign language. Captioning is also available on all books.

At-Risk Students iThoughts (mindmapping)

iThoughts provide at-risk students with organizational tools to assist in daily tasks and assignments in all content areas. Students can set personal goals and track their progress either independently or with the help of an aid. Poplet

Collaborative writing projects can present difficulties for at-risk students who lack organizational skills. Poplet helps these students with brainstorming activities, make journal entries, and take notes. Digital Problem Solver (DPS)

DPS provides at-risk students with a tool to help identify emotions and how to cope with them. DPS can be customized to assist students with tools to select a feeling. Once the feeling is identified, students are provided a coping strategy to help deal with the situation. The feelings available on this app include feeling bored, surprised, mad, annoyed, happy, scared, sad, and frustrated. When students are in control of their emotions, they are more prepared to participate in classroom activities and work collaboratively with their peers.

Gifted and Talented Students Prompts for Writers

Prompts for Writers provide educators with over 1,000 writing prompts to challenge gifted and talented students. With such a wide variety of prompts available, students will never be at a loss to find a topic to research and write about. National Archives

Research is a key part of all grade levels and finding primary source documents can be challenging. Everyday, Todays Document provides students with a copy of a significant historical document of photo. These resources allow students a wide variety of documents to research and write about.