Inclusive Education, Innovative Technology

Posts tagged HP

Calling All Apps

Aug31
2011 3 Comments Written by Zack Mariscal
Here at the Hope Technology School we put an extra emphasis on utilizing technology to motivate students and encourage growth.  We have amazing TouchSmarts that allow kids to interact with the screen instead of using a mouse, and we are introducing tablets throughout our school.

 

But simply having a tablet isn’t going to help our students; that’s why we are calling out to you to help us find relevant apps for for either elementary or middle school students.  Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Either iPhone/iPad or Android apps are our ideal targets, but if you know a great web-based app, let us know.

One app I’ve fallen in love with is called “Motion Math” and is made by http://motionmathgames.com/. Motion Math enables kids to learn fractions in an environment that helps them succeed and promotes learning fractions in a fun way.  Since a majority of our students either have their own devices or use ours to access apps, why not help them learn, too?

As I was typing this, Mind/Shift (KQED Education blog) posted this link on some apps:
http://mindshift.kqed.org/2011/08/new-educational-apps-of-the-month-5/

We’re excited to hear from you!

Posted in Featured, For Parents, In the Classroom, Social Learning - Tagged , , ,

Make Going to Speech Fun with Technology

Aug09
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Adelaide Cheng

by Jessie Clinton, SLP

 

Using the HP TouchSmart as a communicative tool to teach speech and language has been refreshing! Today I picked up a preschool student from class for speech therapy. This particular student happens to be non-verbal with developing speech and communicates using signs and pictures. I said to him, “We can use the computer!” My student’s face immediately bounced into an enthusiastic smile! So, off we went to speech. We utilized SoupToys to practice speech sounds, to request a turn, to make sentences, and to model and use spatial concepts (such as in, up, down). The use of technology in
teaching speech and language excited my student to learn more and provided a really fun format for teaching natural turn-taking and communication.

Posted in Assistive Technology - Tagged , , , , , ,

Touch Screen Apps Help Kids with Autism

Jul18
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Morgan Brown

An article written by Brandon Bailey featured in the San Jose Mercury News highlights the use of touch screen technology to help kids with autism. Bailey notes that programers from parents to professionals to major technology corporations like HP, Google and Apple are realizing the potential for touch technology to help individuals with autism.

Apple CEO, Steve Jobs, recently commented on the unforseen appeal of touch technology to the autism community. Bailey also highlights Hope Technology School’s role in inspiring HP through our innovative use of their TouchSmart computers. Inspired by the progress of a number of Hope Technology students with autism, HP launch Hacking Autism and plans to host a “hackathon” in October.

Posted in Assistive Technology, Featured - Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jordan’s Story with the HP TouchSmart at Hope Technology School

May25
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Morgan Brown

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By Jen Straw, MA Special Education

Jordan attends Hope Technology School’s Vocational Education Program. He is considered to be nonverbal and comunicates through the use of various augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices. One of these devices is the HP TouchSmart. One program Jordan has used to aid his communication is the TouchSmart program “Notes”. This program allows the user to make either an auditory only or auditory and video ‘note’. These notes are stored on the programs front page and can be activated with a touch. The original goal of using this program was to give Jordan an opportunity to communicate short sentences in his own voice and use them to make requests or declarations, for example, ‘I need to go to the bathroom’. When Jordan first began using the program it would take him quite sometime to record a 3-word sentence like ‘I am hungry’, sometimes up to 15 minutes. As he worked on phrases and sentences more and more, he was able to read the phrases quicker and quicker. With the immediate play back, Jordan was able to hear and see himself speak. This lead to clearer and clearer articulation. He was able to go from reading 3-word sentences to read short paragraphs. To learn more about Jordan please visit Hacking Autism.org and watch “Jordan’s story” as told by his mother, Gail Ewell.

Posted in Assistive Technology - Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

5 Things You Can do with a TouchSmart in your Classroom

May24
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Morgan Brown

By Erlinda Cruz-Quintero, Vocational Education Instructor

HP just launched Hacking Autism – a unique initiative with a goal of creating programs for individuals with autism. At Hope Technology School we use HP TouchSmart computers in each of our classrooms. Below are ideas of how to use TouchSmarts in your classrooms.

1) Educators can create interactive curriculum for students using the TouchSmart–Educators are becoming more experienced in incorporating the Universal Design for Learning framework in their classrooms. The Touch Smart computer is a tool that gives students with different learning styles a method of learning information.

2) Educators can make most use of existing online academic applications using the TouchSmart–There are already programs and applications online that target academic skills and functional skills.  The touch screen feature on the Touch Smart engages the students interests with the online applications and enhances their learning.

3) Students can record fun videos and take pictures on the TouchSmart–This is a unique way to complete classroom assignments during group work or individual work.

4) Students can play interactive games on the Touch Smart–This is a unique way to promote social interaction within the classroom.  It is also a great teaching set up where teachers can engage and teach students to interact in a socially appropriate manner.  The applications currently used in the project are available on the website.

5) Students can use computer applications on the TouchSmart–Students are able to use computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Power Point, etc. Students can also watch videos on the TouchSmart.

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