[Pibe-division] Request for Comments: Use of Tablets In the Classroom

Tue May 20 15:50:54 UTC 2014

Thank you Denise,

Your input is most valuable. Let's take this discussion off-list, and 
let's get in touch.

If anyone else would like to volunteer some comments on this issue, 
please do let me know--there is still plenty of room. :)

Sincerely,
Oleg Shevkun

On 5/20/2014 7:27 PM, Dr. Denise M. Robinson via Pibe-division wrote:
> Oleg
> Be careful with inputting only tablets---they are supplementary 
> tools...PC with talking software and braille displays still rule
>
> If our kids do not learn what is used the most in the world..they will 
> suffer--read this
>
> http://www.yourtechvision.com/content/top-8-mobile-and-desktop-computer-versions-worldwide
>
> I believe you were the person who created Russian jaws? True---my 
> Russian kids used it and use it all the time
>        Dr Denise
>
> Denise M. Robinson, TVI, Ph.D.
> CEO, TechVision, LLC
> Specialist in technology, teaching, training for blind/low vision
> 423-573-6413
>
> Website with hundreds of informational articles & lessons on PC, 
> Office products, Mac, iPad/iTools and more, all done with keystrokes: 
> www.yourtechvision.com <http://www.yourtechvision.com/>
>
> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
> doing it." --Chinese Proverb
>
> Computers are incredibly fast, accurate, and stupid: humans are 
> incredibly slow, inaccurate and brilliant; together they are powerful 
> beyond imagination.
> --Albert Einstein
>
> It's kind of fun to do the impossible.
> --Walt Disney
> On Tuesday, May 20, 2014 10:07 AM, Oleg Shevkun via Pibe-division 
> <pibe-division at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
>
>
>     Hello listers,
>
>     My name is Oleg, and I am the executive editor of Radio VOS, the
>     official Internet radio station of the All-Russia Association of the
>     Blind (Http://www.radiovos.ru). We provide blindness-oriented
>     programming to Russian-speaking audience. It is one of our goals
>     to be a
>     trustworthy resource for positive and authoritative information on
>     all
>     issues affecting blind and visually impaired people, as well as to
>     be a
>     forum for open and constructive discussion of these issues.
>
>     Currently, there is a group here in Russia coming up with an
>     initiative
>     to integrate tablet computers into K12 education of blind and
>     visually
>     impaired students. The initiative is now in its initial stage, with
>     experiments scheduled for the 2014-15 school year. We are working
>     on a
>     30-minute program regarding this issue. It is my understanding that
>     tablets such as iPAD are already being used by blind students in K12
>     schools throughout the US. Hence, I'd like to do a short (5
>     minutes at
>     most) interview with someone who works in special education, and who
>     could talk to our listeners about the practical side of integrating
>     these devices into the school curriculum. Specifically, we would be
>     interested in the following:
>
>     - How common are tablets in the education of blind and visually
>     impaired
>     students?
>     - In terms of organization, how do you implement these devices
>     into the
>     curriculum? Specifically, is this initiative promoted by blindness
>     organizations? By educators? By agencies?
>     - How does the use of these devices relate to braille literacy?
>     - Does the use of tablets enhance the accessibility of textbooks?
>     If so,
>     then how does it work specifically?
>     - Are tablets being used in tandem with other devices, such as
>     external
>     keyboards or braille displays?
>     - What are the challenges to using these devices in school settings?
>
>     Actually, we are on a pretty tight schedule. So, I'd really
>     appreciate
>     it if we could record an interview (or, for that matter, several
>     interviews) on this subject within the next couple of days. So, if
>     you
>     are an expert and you are ready to talk to us, please drop me a
>     note at
>     OShevkun at RadioVOS.Ru. <mailto:OShevkun at RadioVOS.Ru.>
>     Alternatively, if you are not an expert, but you
>     know someone else who would be qualified to discuss these issues, I'd
>     appreciate it if you could pass this email to those people.
>
>     We could do the interview on Skype or by phone at your convenience
>     (but
>     please keep in mind that there is a time difference). Of course, the
>     interview will be all in English, and we will then record voice-over
>     interpretation.
>
>     Thank you for your assistance, and I am really looking forward to
>     hearing from you!
>
>     Sincerely,
>     Oleg Shevkun,
>     Executive Editor,
>     Radio VOS
>     Http://www.RadioVOS.Ru
>
>
>
>
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>
>
>
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