Being an AT and someone who is visually impaired I have tried a lot of different hand held magnifiers. I can’t use a lens only type of magnifier because of the way my sight works so I like electronic handheld magnifiers.
Why I like electronic Handheld Magnifiers
- Change Magnification level
- Screen sizes I can use (3 inches/7 cm or more)
- Adjust brightness/contrast
- Change colour and reverse video
- Light the area you are magnifying
- Displays magnified image of what you are magnifying onto a screen not directly through a lens (I find this particularly helpful because I do not have functional central vision)
- Take a picture of what you are magnifying
- Fits in your pocket
- Electricity always makes things better (I am an AT Geek after all!)
All geekness aside (is that a word or should it be geekyness?) a find electronic handheld magnifiers more useful then lens only magnifier. They can be very expensive and I have not found one that I love. I have worked with a few different models over the last little while.
Quicklook by Ash Technologies
Quicklook. Very bulky.
This Quicklook is one of the first handheld magnifiers I got my hands on (is that a pun – excuse me). It is big, solid and easy to use. I remember seeing an add with someone wearing it around their neck, not sure I would recommend that considering it bulk. In all honesty it was nice at the time because it was what I had but I would not recommend it nowadays.
Smartview Versa by Humanware
SmartView. Students seem to like the many SmartView models.
We have a few of the Smartview Versahandheld magnifiers and I have recommended the Versa and the Versa + to a few students. The Smartview is slimmer and has a fairly modern look and feel (why do a lot of access devices look like they have escaped form a 70’s Sci-Fi movie?). They are easy to use. Which one should you buy? That depends on your budget, many students are happy with the Versa.
Traveller+ by Optelec
Not really a handheld but still portable.
I had one student who really thought they would love this portable magnifier (not a handheld). It is basically a mini Desktop Magnifier. They aren’t using it at all. That is a really expensive paper weight if you asked me.
SenseView by GW Micro
My favourite so far. I like how it looks and feels.
I have been using the Senseview from GW Micro for a few years now. I like it sleek look and feel and long lasting battery. The buttons are too small so this device takes a little getting used to. It does the job for me.
Compact 5 HD by Optelec
This unit looks like it has some promise. It is small, sleek, modern looking (wonder if it comes in more colours?). It looks like it might fit in a pocket without too much stress on the owners belt (oh my!) and based on what I can tell from the video it looks easy to use?
Copact 5 HD – Wow, this looks cool!
So now what?
I started thinking “Why not use an iPad or iPod Touch as a magnifier?” Why not indeed? I jumped on to the App Store and looked around for free magnifiers that I could try; there were quite a few.
Handheld Electronic Magnifiers (Part 2) Using your iPod
Coming soon to www.theatgeeks.com
Livescribe in Action
Livescribe pens are one of my favourite tools. I love how they work, and I love how easy they are to use. They are a great tool for students who like or need to take notes using a pen, instead of using a computer.
Why are they so great? As an AT, I used to recommend a lot of digital recorders. Digital recorders record audio, and good ones allow you to bookmark important points and organize your recordings into files. I hardly recommend digital recorders anymore and instead I often recommend the Livescribe pen. The advantage of the Livescribe pen is that it allows you to find, and listen to the exact part of the lecture you need to. There is no wasting time searching through the recording. You just have to click on the part of the note you need, and the audio you were listening to when you wrote the note starts to play. Even my students who have challenges learning new technology quickly learn to use the Livescribe pen.
How does it work?
The pen has a camera by the ink, so it can see the page. The special paper has tiny dots on it that the pen can see. All the commands you need for the pen are located at the bottom of the paper. To take notes you:
- Turn the Livescribe pen on.
- Open the notebook to the page you want to take notes on.
- Use the pen to tap record on the bottom of the paper.
- Take notes as usual.
When you wish to review your notes you simply need to press the pen tip to part of what you have written, and the Livescribe will play back what you were hearing when you wrote that part of the note. The Livescribe goes one step further. If while you are listening to a recording you write more on the paper, the Livescribe will link that part of what you were writing to the recording. In other words, you can still press the pen to the notes, and it will play back the part of the recording you were listening to when you took the notes. If you have to leave the room for instance, you can leave yourself some space to take notes in later. You can then listen to the recording later, and write notes. Those notes will also be linked to the recording. A lot of my students with pain issues that make them leave the lecture hall for breaks use this technique to make sure they do not miss things while they are out of the room.
One of Livescribe’s disadvantages is that you need to use special paper that you buy in notebooks from Livescribe, or that you print. The paper is not overly expensive however, without the special paper, you can record audio, but you will not be able to link the audio notes to the written notes. Another disadvantage is that there is no pencil option. Some people find it hard to use if they feel the need to erase. You cannot change the battery also, which means if you run out of battery in the middle of class you are stuck until you can recharge the pen. It is also not a great tool for people who prefer to take notes on a laptop or other mobile device. There are other tools that work better for those situations.
If you would like to see a demo of the pen working, Livescribe has a good series of videos on their website that start here.
If need to write notes on paper, but want to keep audio of your notes I recommend trying the Livescribe pen. The pen has desktop software that is pretty good too. I’ll save looking at that for a later post.
This post has been a while in the making but it is finally here. Find out about some Assistive Technology for Note Taking.
Some Notetaking Tools
Recorders
Most people think about digital recorders (or even cassette tape – for those of us still stuck in the eighties – anyone still have a good mixed tape?) when I mention recording lectures. This post will cover a couple different kinds of recorders and Notetaking tools that may be useful.
Some of the Pros and Cons of each device or app will be listed but this is not a comprehensive list so feel free to share what you use, how you use it and why.
Digital Audio Recorders
Pros
Records all the sound
This sounds (sounds weird saying sound so many times so close to together?) good in theory but consider having to check a 3 hour lecture more than once. The ability to check everything that is recorded is good when you have a way to mark and jump to key points; that’s why an index or bookmark feature is so important. I would not buy a Digital Recorder that does not have a bookmark feature.
Organize your recording
A good recorder lets you organize your audio into ffolders, some recorders will let you make as many folders as you need and let you name them so it is easier to find what you are looking for
No Cables, No Software
I like simple things, hmm let me rephrase that… I like simple things that let me have lots of choice and that I can overcomplicate my life if I choose to? I like digital recorders that do not need a cable to connect or any special software to synch to a computer.
Cons
Records everything you hear in class.
Remember without an easy way to jump around your recording you will use a lot of time finding what you want to check.
Get close to what you want to record and you should get a better recording with less of what you don’t want to record (do you really want to know what happened on Survivor last night when you are reviewing your lectures).
Only record Audio
Digital Audio Recorders are just that – Audio recorders; They don’t record anything else so if you have a diagram you need to get down or some other important piece of information that you can’t get from the audio you are going to need to find another way to get your notes.
Stage Fright
Ask yourself ‘Do I like being recorded?’ A lot of people do not like the idea of being recorded. Some people even change what they were going to say when they know they are being recorded. See the section on Recording Etiquette for some info related to this.
Some things to look for
- Index/bookmark
- Folders
- No cables, no software to synch to a computer
Things I like
- Connect directly to your computer
- Lots of options like settings for clearer playback, different record and playback quality and more – see Things I don’t like
Things I don’t like
- Only has 5 voice recording folders
- Complicated menu that has more choices than the average person will use
Things I like
- Voice – This series has what Olympus calls Voice Guidance and may be helpful for someone who is visually impaired
Things I don’t like
- Uses USB cable to connect to PC
Video Recorders (mini)
Pros
Record what you see and hear
Sometimes you just need to see what is going on. This kind of a tool may be really good when you want to record something that really doesn’t make sense any other way then by seeing it again. Some students and Profs at Algonquin use video recorders to record lab demos, shop work, drawings and just about anything else that they want to look at again. If you are a visual learner this may be something that appeals to you.
Small
Mini recorders are just that, mini. They are small lightweight and don’t take a lot of room while recording. People around you may not even notice that you are recording them.
Easy to use
Most of these recorders have a big ‘Easy / Record’ button and fairly straight forward basic controls The devices that I have worked with have the software on them and are easy to setup.
Cons
People really don’t like being videoed
People have some strong emotions about being videoed. Maybe they don’t like how they look (damn it I did not fix my hair and this shirt makes me look 20 lbs. bigger). It is important to talk to your Prof ahead of time just to make sure they are aware of what you are doing.
May need extra accessories
Depending on the type of video recorder you are using and the place you want to use it in you may need to get a tripod, a light, or even an external microphone. Sometimes it feels like you are setting up for a major production.
Short record time
This is more or a relative statement. Most classes are around 2 hours, most of the mini recorders can record for 2 hours but you need to make sure you move your video from your recorder to something else if you have more than one class in a day. Most people using these are not recording entire lectures.
Digital Pens
This is my favourite note taking category. The Livescribe seems to be the perfect blend of old meets really cool. You will find out more about the Livescribe from Christine but I wanted to add my 2 cents.
The Livescribe is by far the coolest note taking tool I have worked with in my career! It’s a pen, it’s a recorder, it’s a calculator, a movie maker and even a piano. This tool is one of the reasons I get excited about Assistive Technology.
- Livescribe Pens – theatgeeks.com (Chris’s Blog Post)
- OneNote for Note Taking – theatgeeks.com (Chris’s Blog Post)
Recording Tips
Closer is usually better. Whether you are recording audio and/or video remember that you may be recording everything between you and your Prof or what you are trying to record. Sure you can go out and get a high quality parabolic microphone or a zoom lens but it may be easier (and cheaper!) to get closer. Studies say that the closer you sit in class the better your marks will be?
Recording Etiquette
It is a good idea to let someone know that you want to record them, it is probably best to do this in the form of a question ‘Do you mind if I record you’. In some cases if you meet with resistance or the person you want to record seems uncomfortable it may help to explain that you are using your recording device as an academic accommodation.
In some cases you may be able to record some parts of a class but may have to turn off your recorder for parts of your class (A personal discussion, a guest who is not comfortable being recorded etc.).
Note Taking Assistive Technology and Learning Strategies
Above is a link to a video that introduces the idea of combining Assistive Technology and Learning Strategies for Note Taking.
If you want to learn more about any of the Assistive Technology and Learning Strategies you see or hear about leave a comment, send us an email or if you are student stop in and see your Assistive Technologists or Learning Strategists at your school.
BTW, the person featured in the video graduated from Algonquin College, wtg Stacey!
If you are new to taking notes in MS OneNote, you may want to see the post: OneNote for Note Taking.
Recording audio in MS OneNote is a great way for students who need note taking support, to have an audio copy of the lecture. If you record what the instructor is saying, in OneNote, while you are taking notes, then the audio will be linked to your written notes.
An important thing about recording lectures and notes with OneNote is that you need to have a mic that faces the instructor. Most mics on laptops actually face the person typing, in that case you should get a desktop mic that you can face towards where the instructor is. Many of my students us a USB desktop mic for this purpose.
I made a video demo of how to make Audio recordings in OneNote. Let me know what you think!
I know TheATGeeks.com is a space for technology but I couldn’t help posting about an awesome event coming up at Algonquin College
Rick Hansen is coming to Algonquin College on Friday, October 28th.
Meet him at the H-building entrance! Line the halls at 12:00 pm and come with Rick to the Marketplace D cafeteria. Share his story.
Justin Hines is performing!
Rick Hansen’s “Man In Motion” tour, 25 years ago, was the beginning of a journey to make a positive difference in people’s lives. He travelled 40,000 km through 34 countries in his wheelchair, and is currently retracing the Canadian segment of that epic tour on the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay.
Rick Hansen at Algonquin
http://www.algonquinsa.com/events/upcoming-events.aspx?id=341
I only heard about Microsoft’s OneNote for note taking about 3 years ago. I must say, it is one of the most versatile note taking tools around. If you are using a word processor, like MS Word, or OpenOffice Writer, for note taking then I would recommend at least looking at OneNote. If you want an overview you can check out this 5 minute video at the Microsoft site.
Demo: What is OneNote Video Demo
One of the things I like about OneNote is the way you can “send to OneNote” any file you can print. Here is an example of a PowerPoint presentation about nouns that I sent to my OneNote notebook that I have:
Example of a Powerpoint sent to OneNote.
If you look at the image, you can see on the left-hand side there is a list of my OneNote notebooks, these are like binders. Across the top there are tabs, and these are like dividers in the binder. On the right-hand side you see a list of pages that I have under this divider tab, like papers in your binder tabs. You can write all over the page, beside or on the slides. You can see that I’ve added some text that the teacher was saying about the topic.
To send that PowerPoint presentation to OneNote I used the print function:
In PowerPoint 2010: Under the File tab, click print, then choose "send to OneNote"
This is just the start of of what OneNote is capable of doing. I love that you can save to MS SkyDrive too, and have access to those notebooks from anywhere. Imagine the possibilities for group work! My next post will be instructions on how to record the audio or video inside OneNote, so that you can keep the recordings with your class notes. Do you use a different tool for note taking? Let me know what it is and maybe how you use it!
Christine and I presented at the OACCPP annual conference and AGM on Friday Sept 23rd, 2011. We presented to a diverse group of people including, counsellors, psychometrists and psychotherapists.
When we first started planning our session Chris and I thought 3 hours would be hard to fill but as usual (and I am not sure why we were surprised about this?) we hard lots to say and not enough time to cover everything?
Learning Technology
Faster, Easier, more Independent and Productive
Working with you is important to us, so important in fact that we are coming to see you at the busiest time in our calendar year. You provide an important service to our clients. We want you to know what Assistive Technology is available, who uses it and why they use it. We want you to know more about how technology is changing and what it means for all of us. This is your chance to find out how technology that people with disabilities use can work for everyone including you! We will cover what Assistive Technologists do, who we work with, some AT Basics and what we think is cool.
Find out about tools for reading, writing, note taking, planning, time management and more. We will look at software, gadgets and cool apps that can work for everyone.
We looked at:
- The CSD UpClose
- Reading Tools
- Writing Tools
- Notetaking Tools
- Time Management
- Planning and Visualization
- Some Apps
Thanks to Penny and OACCPP for inviting us and thanks to everyone who came out!
In Part 1 we looked at Desktops vs. Laptops and I promised ‘some things to think about’ to help you pick your back to school computer.
SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT that will help you pick the right computer for you.
SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:
- What software will I run on my computer?
- What do I want to do with my computer?
- Does my college, university or program of study have any specific computer requirements?
- Is size or weight an issue?
- How much money do I want to spend?
- The system we are recommending this semester?
I hate being product specific; but let’s face it we use specific products. So here is my little disclaimer – I am not endorsing the products in this post and am not responsible for anything about hem and blah blah blah.
What software will I run on my computer?
What operating system am I using?
Remember to find out what OS you can get support for. If you have any problems it may be easier if you are running something that the IT department at your college supports.
What Office Suite are you using?
Every student needs some kind of Office Suite to write assignments, present information and organize their lives.
What software are you using for your courses?
Do you have specific software for your courses like:
- Adobe Photoshop
- Simply Accounting
- Visio 2010
What Kind of Assistive Technology are you using?
Find out what the minimum system requirements are for the Assistive Technology you want to use. Some of the more popular AT apps are:
- Kurzweil
- Read & Write
- Dragon Naturally Speaking (click on Tech Specs)
- Inspiration
- ZoomText
- JAWS
What do I want to do with my computer?
Do you plan on playing the latest FPS or Massively Multiplayer Online RPG? What about making movies, and other cool creative kinds of things. You need to consider these kinds of things when you pick your computer to make sure you have the right graphics card, processor, enough RAM and Hard Drive space, etc. If I want to know more about specific hardware I like to visit sites like Tom’s Hardware to check out comparisons, charts and reviews. Of course not everyone is interested in pouring through information on computer, is that why I’m a geek?
Once you figure out what you want to do with your computer you will have an idea of the basic needs you have, but most people who do ‘the usual’ types of things people are doing out there will find that the system we are recommending will get the job done. So if you want to save some time and skip ahead I won’t get upset (I may be a little hurt but I don’t know how to find out how much of the article you read…). The system we are recommending this semester.
Does my college, university or program of study have any specific computer requirements?
This is becoming an important question. I would not have considered it a couple of years ago but more and more programs at more and more colleges and universities are REQUIRING students to have their own computers. Some courses even require specific brands and models -so make sure you check with your college’s Registrar’s office or program website.
Algonquin College is going mobile and now has 25 Mobile Learning or mLearning programs that each have their own computer requirements. In most cases the course’s minimum requirements will run most Assistive Technology you may need but if you are not sure check Chris or I (Jay) and we can help you find out.
If you are choosing between a Mac or a PC ask your school if the courses you are taking use either. Your course may cover how to use a specific App on a PC and that could be a challenge if you are running a Mac.
Is size or weight an issue?
Do you need a really light, portable computer? You might consider a tablet, netbook or thin and light laptop. If you need a large screen size you can get large sized laptops (17 inch, 18 inch and bigger – I have owned a 20 inch but I wouldn’t really consider it a laptop more like a beast!). The trade off with size is usually weight so if you want a lighter computer that is more portable you are probably looking at picking something with a smaller screen size (somewhere between 10 and 13 inches.).
Some people go with a smaller sized computer for weight and portability but use a large monitor at home with an articulated monitor support arm, a docking station or USB port replicator so that they can plug everything into their computer easily.
There are a lot of options so if you are not sure talk to your Assistive Technologist to get advice for your needs.
How much money do I want to spend
This may be one of the shorter areas of my post. Money – you have some or you don’t? Actually computers are cheaper than they ever have been. You don’t have to spend thousands on a new laptop, in some cases the apps your run on your machine may cost more than your computer!
Shop around, ask about warranties, service, what kind of things come with your computer. If you find a better price somewhere else tell the other stores and maybe they can give you a better offer.
Don’t forget to ask about STUDENT pricing! Some computers and software have great student only deals. You may have to show a student card or some other proof on enrollment but it can be worth it.
The system we are recommending this semester.
So here it is after all of that reading (unless you skipped right to this heading) to find out what theATGeeks.com are recommending the average person to buy for a back to school computer.
Looking at what the average person does and the minimum system requirements for most software including Assistive Technology and factoring price warranties, service etc. we are recommending…
The System Stats
- i3 2.10GHz Processor
- 500GB
- 4GB RAM
- 15.6” Display
- 5.5 Hour Battery
- Windows 7 Home Premium
- 3 Year SystemGuard Warranty
The above machine is a major brand name and comes with an amazing warranty all for under $550.00.
If you want to find out the exact model contact the Algonquin College New Technology Store and tell them that theATGeeks.com sent you!
Hopefully this article helps you think about what you need. I love buying new technology!
Have fun with your new computer and don’t forget to do your homework!
Would you do better on tests and assignments if you could dictate your answers out loud, rather than typing them? Do you have spelling that even spell checkers have trouble giving you suggestions for? Have you ever changed a test answer because you could not write the answer you had in your head? Are you an extremely slow typist? Or do you find keyboarding impossible? Would you finish your work faster if you could talk instead of type? If you say yes to any of these questions, then Nuance’s Dragon NaturallySpeaking might be a good choice for you. It works by turning what you say into written text. It works surprisingly well.
Did you try Dragon a few years ago, and gave up on it because it did not work for you? If so you may want to try it again. Dragon is one of those programs that keeps getting better and better. I can see a difference between versions. It is up to version 11.5 now and it seems to work so well that the mic you use is not making as much of a difference as it once did. I tried a mic recently that I could not get to work well even on Dragon 10, and it kept up with my best profile when I read the same text to both profiles. I recently used my iPod touch as a mic and it even worked well for me.
A guy just posted this video of himself using Dragon on an airplane. There is so much background noise that the audio of the video is not clear, and still he was able to dictate accurately.
You can watch the video on YouTube here.
I even tried it with the mic that came in the box with the Window’s version of the software. In the past I have been heard to say to a student: “When the box comes take out the mic out of the box and give it to someone you hate.” I just tried one of those mics now, and it worked pretty well even though it is not a USB mic. I am still recommending that for best results, students should use a good quality USB mic in a quiet space. It is exciting though to see how well Dragon NaturallySpeaking is performing. I’d like to see Dragon work better for students who speak very slowly. There is a whole group of people who have mobility issues, that also talk too slowly to use Dragon.
I think I need to get the newest version of Dragon for Mac running on my Mac. I’m curious now to see how much better it is. This is good news for students who rely on voice input. Anyone have different results than what I am getting? I’d love to hear about it!
SLICE is a FREE 1 day orientation and transition day for students with a disability coming to Algonquin College for the first time.
SLICE gives students an overview of the services available from the Centre for Students with Disabilities and Algonquin College.
Students will learn about:
- Study strategies
- Self-advocacy
- College survival skills
- Assistive Technology
(in case you were wondering what the connection to theATGeeks.com was Christine and I are presenting an Intro to AT)
You can get more details about SLICE at http://www.algonquincollege.com/csd/slice
Sign up now while there is still time and space!
Intro to Assistive Technology
Jay and Christine are presenting!!!
Find out what Assistive Technology is and how it can help you be successful at college. You will be introduced to the latest reading, writing, note taking and organizational tools. Knowing what is out there is a great first step in the AT Assessment process.
One of my favourite parts of the day other than lunch (actually anytime I get to use a microphone is more fun than lunch) is a Student Panel (which BTW, I am hosting). The SLICE student panel gives you a chance to talk to successful Algonquin College students. Find out what it was like at the start of their first semester, what their challenges are and where and how they are being successful. It is your chance to ask the experts!
