[blindkid] Ipad & Note taker - technology question

Sun Feb 12 17:11:59 UTC 2012

My son is a 6th grader and is also a dual print/braille reader and writer.
 It is a constant juggle, but I think you are correct in your instinct to
continue to push traditional methods of reading and writing braille at your
son's young age. He is still in a the stage of developing literacy and he
needs lots of practice using tools for reading and writing braille.

Computers (equivalent to a Notetaker) and/or I-Pads will not substitute
print books and paper and pencil activities for the sighted 1st graders or
2nd graders in his class so it should not substitute braille books, the
Perkins Brailler, Slate and Stylus, Abacus, that you son uses to learn to
read and write.  It should be used as a supplement to enhance learning.

That being said, you should certainly consider introducing either a
notetaker or an I-Pad with a braille keyboard and refreshable braille
display.  You just need to be very specific in you goals as to which tools
will be used for different situations.  Perhaps the Notetaker or I-Pad with
a refreshable braille display could be introduced to download braille books
for reading groups or independent reading.  Perhaps either could be used
for word processing (Pages for I-Pad) to produce written work for writers
workshop, spelling tests, etc.  Math might still be performed using a hard
copy braille book and the perkins brailler or slate and stylus.
 Regardless, of which type of technology you choose there should ALWAYS be
traditional braille tools, braille books, etc. available in the classroom.

You also want to consider options that allow him to develop independence.
 Review your districts grade level expectations with regards to the use of
technology.

We are constantly asking ourselves what does he need to be able to do now
and what is the most appropriate tool to enable him to be successful.

Hope this helps!

Amy Shepherd
MPVI President
Visit our Website www.mpvi.org <http://www.mpvi.org/>
 Join us on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/groups/48271986241/>

On Sun, Feb 12, 2012 at 11:09 AM, Penny Duffy <pennyduffy at gmail.com> wrote:

> Ok Abby  has an ipad with a refreshable braille display. The state is
> letting us 'borrow' the states braille display.  I doin't think currently
> with the apps available its a braille note (or similar) replacement.  It
> does do grade 2  braille but there is a bit of a delay.  I need to work
> more with it. Its not integrated into her education.  I also haven't tried
> the new bookshare read to go app upgrade.  The braille display does work
> great for import and reading.. (it will put on the braille display what
> ever is said in voice over and you can turn the sound off)   Now it may end
> up working great for Abby once the team gets into the grove.  Abby loves
> her Ipad (the ipad is hers)  She uses its to watch Netflix a lot.  What
> makes the ipad so good for kids with some vision is they can put it right
> up to their faces so it can be a useful tool.  Its not very portable.   Its
> getting close and it may be I need more time to figure it out (so I can
> teach her team) or she will be getting a braille note next year LOL.   I
> recommend the ipad with the braille display as a filler to give her a start
> in technology.
>
> Chantel.  I honestly just got up and i have no idea if i made sense.   I
> have a blog and I haven't even blogged about Abby using an Ipad because I
> don't have enough information for my readers LOL.   My goal is to have her
> to start using it for practicing her spelling words and that use it for
> read writing and some reading.
> -Penny
>
> On Sun, Feb 12, 2012 at 10:47 AM, Chantel Alberhasky <
> chantel at alberhaskylaw.com> wrote:
>
> > My son is 8 years old and will be in third grade next year.  Drake is a
> > dual media learner.  In preparation for his IEP meeting I am trying to
> > educate myself re the type of technology I should be demanding from the
> > school system.  He currently has an Acrobat and a Mountbatten (which is
> > under used).    I am pushing for more Braille in the classroom - he
> > currently does a majority of his math in Nemeth but still seems to be
> doing
> > most of his writing in print.   I have spoken to the teacher about Drake
> > doing his writing assignments in Braille.
> >
> > I want Drake to have a note taker for next year.   I am concerned the
> > school will push the Ipad as an alternative but my concern is that it
> will
> > be used as a substitute for Braille - listening to books or reading in
> > large print.   I have been resistant to any technology that encourages
> him
> > to listen to books rather than read it.   I understand listening to books
> > has its place but at this point my child needs to become literate in
> > Braille first and I am leery of technology which doesn't encourage
> > literacy.
> >
> > I would love feed back re note takers and thoughts on where the Ipad fits
> > in.
> >
> > Thanks.
> > Chantel
> >
> > Chantel L. Alberhasky, Esq
> > 419 Boonville Avenue
> > Springfield, MO 65806
> > 417.865.4444
> >
> > The Missouri Bar Disciplinary Counsel requires all Missouri attorneys
> > tonotify all recipients of e-mail that (1) e-mail communication is not
> > asecure method of communication, (2) any e-mail that is sent to you or
> > byyou may be copied and held by various computers it passes through as
> > itgoes from me to you or vice versa, (3) persons not participating in
> > ourcommunication may intercept our communications by improperly
> > accessingyour computer or my computer or even some computer unconnected
> to
> > eitherof us which the e-mail passed through. I am communicating to you
> > viae-mail because you have consented to receive communications via
> > thismedium. If you change your mind and want future communications to
> > besent in a different fashion, please let me know AT ONCE.
> >
> >
> > ________________________________
> > _______________________________________________
> > blindkid mailing list
> > blindkid at nfbnet.org
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> > blindkid:
> >
> >
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/pennyduffy%40gmail.com
> >
>
>
>
> --
> --Penny
> ----------
> A lucky mother to two amazing children - visionfora.blogspot.com
> _______________________________________________
> blindkid mailing list
> blindkid at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> blindkid:
>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/amyshepherd%40mpvi.org
>

-- 
Amy Shepherd
MPVI President
Visit our Website www.mpvi.org <http://www.mpvi.org>
 Join us on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/groups/48271986241/>