Technology Tools

Big Ideas

Technology tools can include features that; support reading comprehension strategies, scaffold language processing, and reduce or remove barriers to academic engagement.

Any tool can be made available to any student, but for some students technology tools and accessible formats are legally required for the provision of a free and appropriate public education (FAPE).

Technology in Education

Technology is any method, system, or device that is the result of scientific knowledge being used for practical purposes. A pencil, for example, is a piece of technology. So is a smartphone. A graphic organizer is a technology, whether on paper or on a computer. Not all technology is digital, but it is useful.

Assistive technology is not different from regular technology. It is simply a technology, product, or device that an IEP team has decided a student requires. For example, any student could use a trackball to control a computer. But some students may require a trackball due to their fine motor skills. The IEP team could then determine that a trackball is assistive technology for that student and must be provided in all tiers of instruction.

To be effective users of technology, students should:

  • Become fluent in using the technology. This requires training and practice.

  • Become fluent in using the technology strategically. This requires understanding a strategy and practicing using the technology and strategy together.

Technology Tools & Resources

Below is a collection of technology tools and resources that can be used to support learning and reading comprehension. By now you have already identified the skills that you will be targeting and the strategy or strategies that you will be using. Look through the tools and resources below and see if there is something that will be helpful in supporting the classroom instruction you are designing.

Diagnostics

Text Support

  • Built-in Text-to-Speech - tools to read digital text aloud.

  • Immersive Reader - a free set of reading support tools for Microsoft OneNote, Word, and Outlook.

  • Apple's Safari Reader - a feature in Safari that simplifies web pages, removing ads and distractions.

  • Natural Reader - a free and pay text-to-speech software program.

  • Read & Study Digital Tools vol. 2 - a book of tutorials on how to use accessibility tools, text-to-speech tools, and other types of reading supports in a variety of common programs and operating systems.

  • Read&Write for Google Chrome - a Chrome extension with text-to-speech, highlighting tools, word prediction, and more. Teachers can apply for a free license.

  • Snap&Read - a feature-rich pay software tool that includes text-to-speech, optical character recognition, language translation, and more.

  • Online Text Summarizer - a free online tool that provides a summary of a web page or pasted text, along with sentence relevance and highlighting keywords.

Vocabulary


Annotation

  • Liner - a free tool for highlighting text on the web or in PDF files.

  • Weava Highlighter - a highlighting and note-taking tool with a free version.

  • Read&Write for Google Chrome - a Chrome extension with text-to-speech, highlighting tools, word prediction, and more. Teachers can apply for a free license.

  • Reading & Study Digital Tools vol. 2 - a book of tutorials on how to use accessibility tools, text-to-speech tools, and other types of reading supports in a variety of common programs and operating systems.

  • Markup for the iPad/iPhone - a web and PDF highlighting tool for the iPad and iPhone.

  • Using Commenting Tools in Acrobat - tutorial on using some of the commenting tools in Adobe Acrobat. PDF files must be set for commenting to use these tools in Adobe Reader.

  • Highlighter Tape - transparent tape in a variety of colors that can be easily repositioned and removed as needed.

  • Erasable Highlighters - highlighters that can be erased. They can become permanent in some conditions.

  • Erasable Markers & Pens - markers and pens that can be erased. They can become permanent in some conditions.

  • Using Highlighters in the Classroom - guidelines for using highlighters effectively in the classroom.

  • Post-it Arrows - removable post-it arrows that can be used to annotate text, pictures, and maps.

Charts/Organizers

  • Timetoast - an online timeline tool.

  • Tiki-Toki - an online timeline tool with a desktop version for Mac and Chrome.

  • Reading Graphic Organizers - a collection of free reading graphic organizers to download.

  • Canva Concept Maps Creator - an online concept map creation tool.

  • Concept Map Templates - a collection of free concept maps templates to download.

  • Free Online Graph Paper - a huge collection of different types of graph, writing, and drawing papers that can be customized and downloaded.

  • Free Printable Paper - a huge collection of different types of graph, writing, and drawing papers that can be downloaded.

  • Mind Maps - an overview of the benefits of using a mind map.

  • MindMup - a free online mind mapping tool.

  • MindMeister - an online mind mapping tool with a free version.

  • Kidspiration & Inspiration - mind mapping tools designed for educational activities. Kidspiration is for grades 1st-5th, and Inspiration is for ages 10-adult. For iPad, iPhone, and Mac.

  • Rationale - a feature-rich pay concept mapping software program.

  • Smarter Charts Sample - sample pages from a book on using "smarter charts" in the classroom.

Classroom Tools

  • Classroomscreen - a free set of widgets that include timers, random name generators, traffic light, work symbols, and more.

  • Poll Everywhere - online polling software with a free version for up to 25 students.

  • Padlet - an interactive online note-taking tool, timeline tool, and more.

  • Wheel Decide - an online random name selector.

  • Plickers - a free and fun formative assessment system.

  • Countdown Timer - an online countdown timer.

  • Classroom Timers - a collection of basic times in a variety of kid-friendly formats.

  • Ziteboard - an online interactive whiteboard with a free version.

  • Miro - an online interactive whiteboard with a free version.

  • Autodraw - a free online tool for quickly drawing simple figures.

  • Text Readability Test - online reading level test for web pages and pasted text.

  • Scholastic Book Wizard - search for books by reading level.

  • Florida Electronic Library - online magazines, books, newspapers, and more.

  • Bookshare - a library of accessible books for students who have a print disability.

Classroom Implementation

Using the classroom implementation document, do the following:

  • Select one or more tools that your students will use in your instructional activity.

  • Complete the final section of the classroom implementation document.