Reading

This hardware is used for reading and writing cjomposition. It features read-alouds capabilities for text, text-to-speech software, and an easy factfinder tool for the researching student. This tool could benefit people with dyslexia, people with vision impairments, and people with cerebal palsy. It could be used in classrooms during reading and writing instruction, or any other subject area that requires reading and writing.
 * Read&Write Gold **
 * Cost: $295 **
 * Source: **[Reader|http://www.texthelp.com/north-america/our-products/readwrite/features-pc/reading#DAISY Reader]

Katie Fitch _

**Cost:** $395-$2695 at [] ** Benefits of Students: ** Students who are blind or visually impaired will greatly benefit from Kurzweil 3000 Firefly. It has an easy interface, reads text aloud, and magnifies text. It also benefits students with Dyslexia. It offers many spelling and reading supports that are built right into the software. It has a spell-checker, a dictionary, and word prediction. It will also help any student who has trouble staying organized.
 * High-Tech Tool:** Kurzweil 3000 Firefly
 * Environment:** This tool can be used in any educational environment where reading or even writing is incorporated.
 * Tasks:** This tool will assist with a huge variety of activities. It can spell check a document that a student has written. It can read a print or web-based document aloud for a student and will support reading comprehension after the document is read.

(Amanda Reed)

**Cost:** $3.84 at []
 * Low-Tech Tool:** See-Through Sticky Notes
 * Description:** See-Through Sticky Notes can be used to guide students through a text, to take notes, or to help students organize information. They come in a variety of colors and shapes that will help students stay organized and focused during any lesson.
 * Benefits of Students:** Students who have trouble staying on task or focusing on a text will highly benefit from using see-through sticky notes. The teacher can mark specific pages of the text and still allow the student to see the words through the sticky note. Students with ADHD will also benefit. The see-through aspect of the sticky notes allows for less distraction and consistent work through the use of a text. The students can also choose the color and shape that best works for them.
 * Environment:** This tool can be used in any educational environment where reading is incorporated.
 * Tasks:** This tool will assist with any reading activity. The see-through sticky notes can be used to guide a student through a text (reading comprehension), to help the student stay focused, to help the student follow along, or to help them take notes as they read (reading comprehension).

(Amanda Reed)


 * Web 2.0 Tool**-Natural Reader
 * Description:** This is a software program. It is a text-to-speech software that can convert almost all types of files to speech such as: PDF, Word Documents, e-mails, and webpages. It can also convert this written text into MP3 files or other audio files. This software also has an audio editor by recording, editing, and merging these files yourself. The website for this specific software is as follows: [].


 * Cost:** There are many different versions of the purpose of education. There is the silver version which is $69.99, the gold version which is $99.99, and finally the platinum version which is $129.99. The more expensive the version, the more features received from the software.


 * Benefits of students:** Students who experience dyslexia and other types of learning disabilities such as difficulty with reading comprehension can benefit from this program. Students who may have a low vision disability can also benefit from this program if they cannot see the text because it is too small. It can even help students who have difficulty with their speech because it can pronounce the word in the correct way so the student can comprehend and repeat it.


 * Environment**: This program can be used in all educational environments such as pull out and inclusive classrooms. As long as there is a computer present, this software can be of use to students.


 * Tasks:** This software can assist students with any assignment in any subject that they may have difficulty reading if it is scanned into the computer by the teacher. It can also read books to students who may have trouble with reading comprehension or pronouncing certain words correctly.

Jordyn Minty


 * Hardware:** TopScan Handheld Pen
 * Description:** The TopScan pen is a handheld device in which a person can slide the scanner over the text and it will transfer immediately into the computer. The computer will instantly pronounce the word or read the sentence to the person using this device. This particular tool can be found at the following website: [] as well as many others on other sites that have the same function.


 * Cost:** The normal price for this item would be $120.00 but this particular price on this website is discounted to $79.00.


 * Benefits of students:** Students who have difficulty with reading comprehension and fluency could definitely benefit from using this tool. This tool would help students to be able to see the word being read to them as they slide the pen over the page making them aware of what the word looks like and how to say it. It could also be used to help students who may have a low vision disability in which small text is hard for them to read. All students could use this tool when reading text that is over their level of difficulty. Even though some words may be hard for them to read, they would be able to comprehend the text because it is being read to them. Also, if they were only having difficulty with one specific word, they could sound it out and then check it using the TopScan Handheld Pen. It could especially also help an English Language Learner to help them read and pronounce words in English rather than their native language.


 * Environment:** This tool can be used in any environment. Inclusion classrooms as well as pull-out classrooms should have access to this tool to help students with disabilities who could really benefit from this. It can also be used with children at home when practicing their reading or with homework assignments.


 * Tasks:** This tool would be helpful in assisting children with any specific reading activity. It could also be helpful in other subjects besides reading because everything a child does involves some type of reading and comprehending, even when reading directions. It helps with reading comprehension, pronunciation, and fluency.

Jordyn Minty


 * Reading Helper**



[|Reading Helper, Inc.] $2.00 each

The Reading Helper highlights a line of text and allows the student to focus on the highlighted words.

This tool benefits all students as they are learning to track the print; it especially benefits students with ADHD (focus) and those with visual perceptual challenges (the preferred color is determined by the user).
 * Student Characteristics**

All curriculum areas that require reading.
 * Environment**

Focusing on print. Reading for a variety of purposes.
 * Tasks**

(heather_r)

This is a website where educators or students can build their own interactive books. It allows students to actively participate in their reading through answering questions, going to a glossary, or having the book be read out loud. There are also avatars that guide students through reading based on whatever the maker wants to focus on. Students who need books to be read to them, students who need assistance with thinking deeper about texts, or students who would like to go beyond reading and create their own stories All areas of education where reading is required (specifically reading of books) Reading comprehension, listening to books, thinking further into a text
 * CAST UDL Bookbuilder**
 * Cost—**Free
 * Source—** http://bookbuilder.cast.org/
 * Student Characteristics**
 * Environment**
 * Tasks It May Assist With**


 * Joanna Rizzo**

Sticky notes

Sticky notes are $8.79 from [] (Kara Traub)
 * Description:** Sticky notes can be used to point out important details in a story. Students can use the multi colored sticky notes to point out different aspects of a story depending on what the teacher wants, or what they personally want. Students can go back in their reading and see where their sticky notes were, and what they wrote on each one.
 * Characteristics of students who will benefit:** Students who have trouble concentrating, or need guidance will benefit from using sticky notes with their reading. Students with ADHD will benefit highly from these sticky notes.
 * Environment:** Sticky notes can be used in all content areas that incorporate reading.
 * Tasks:** Sticky notes will help students with any type of reading task. It will help them focus on reading tasks because they can put the sticky notes where they think there is important information in the text, and they can write anything that can help them on the sticky notes.

Wordle

Wordle is a free program that can be found from [] (Kara Traub)
 * Description:** Wordle is for generating word clouds from text. The words that appear more in the text will be a larger size than other words that don’t appear as often. There are all different layouts and fonts for the word clouds, so kids can play around with them. These clouds can be hung around the room for students to see.
 * Characteristics of students who will benefit:** Students who get off task easily will enjoy the word clouds because of all the creative things you can do with it. Students can see how often certain words showed up in a text to help them. If the word is a hard word, students will know they need to practice the word because it shows up so many times in the text. Students with ADHD would like this because there are many designs you can do with the program.
 * Environment:** This tool can be useful in any content area, but is especially helpful in reading and writing.
 * Tasks:** Wordle can help students recognize the words used most often in a text. It is also engaging so they can play around with it, and use it for any content area.

Highlighters My low teach item is a highlighter. It can be used to overlay text that is important. Students can go back to the text and easily see this information without having to reread it all. For three highlighters the cost is $.066 at the dollar store. [] Characteristics of students who may benefit from this tool may include trouble staying on task, becoming frustrated easily, and trouble with organization. This tool could be used in a general education classroom in any subject. This tool will assist students in pointing out important information and following along with the rest of the class. (Sarah Callanan)

The reading pen is a high tech tool that scans, display, defines, and pronounces words. Words in a text can be scanned while one is reading and the reading pen and recite the text out loud and display the syllables or even spell the words out aloud.
 * Reading Pen:**

A lot of students would benefit from using the reading pen tool. English Language Learners could use the pen to find out definitions to words or how to stay a word in a language that they are just learning. This tool would also help children who have reading difficulties or disabilities. Students with reading difficulties like dyslexia can use the speech translators to enhance a text and comprehension.

This tool can be used in the school setting or even at home. At school it could be used with students who are ELL’s and they could use it in almost any subject. It could also be used in reading for those students who have difficulties or any reading disabilities. This tool could also be used at home to help students with homework or readings.

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Cost: $258.00



(Kathleen Seale)

__**Colored Tr ****ansparencies **__ Similar to clear transparencies, Colored Transparencies come in a variety of colors and shapes to assist students as they read. **Source & Cost ** Irlen Institute; ranging from $4.00 for individual overlays to $277.50 for 150 overlays **Characteristics of Students ** Students with reading difficulties, such as dyslexia, will from colored transparencies. **Environment ** Any kind of print rich environment would benefit from this low tech tool. Students in the classroom and home may use colored transparencies. **Tasks ** Students can use this tool to assist while reading. Colored transparencies ground the floating letters that many students with dyslexia see as they read. It may also help students follow along during read aloud. (Heather Slavings)

__**Kurzweil 3000 **__ <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">Kurzweil 3000 is a text to speech high tech software program that emphasizes the three UDL Principles. Students can use dual highlighting, quick reference look-up tools, flexible writing tools, and bubble notes, while also creating powerful study skills and reading Mozilla Firefox aloud. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Source & Cost ** <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">Kurzweil Educational Systems; Programs can range from $395.00 to $2,695.00 **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Characteristics of Students ** <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">Students with any kind of reading or learning difficulties would benefit from Kurzweil 3000. Struggles with reading printed text, taking notes, and following along in a text could all be minimized for students using Kurzweil 3000. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Environment ** <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">Kurzweil 3000 would be best used in the classroom environment. Due to the high prices, Kurzweil is not practical for individual family use, so teacher with the available technology should put it to good use in the classroom for all students with reading difficulties. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Tasks ** <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">Reading, note taking, and following along are all sample tasks where Kurzweil 3000 can help. Reading is the central focus, but with the extra features, students can focus on important parts, while also gaining a better comprehensive picture of the text as a whole. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">(Heather Slavings)

__**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 20px;">e-Readers **__

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">e-Readers come in all shapes and sizes with different features and functions, but the main focus is clear, student can read an electronic version of a text, using highlighting and text to speech options on nearly all options **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Source & Cost ** <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Sony, Apple; prices range from $60 to $600 **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Characteristics of Students ** <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">Students with reading difficulties or visual and hearing impairments could benefit from the use of an e-Reader. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Environment ** <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">e-Readers should be used at home and in the classroom. Due to the reasonable pricing for many of these e-Readers and the books, parents should use an e-Reader in their home to encourage higher literacy level in their student. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Tasks ** <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">Considering the endless number of books available for purchase or rental, e-Readers can be used for an endless number of tasks. Students can increase the font of the text, use the text-to-speech function, purchase audiobooks, or use the highlight function on many e-Readers. Students may also share books with each other, encouraging collaboration and discussion about new books. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">(Heather Slavings)
 * High Tech Tool: MP3 Player**



[|BestBuy.com] $40.00 each

MP3 players provide an alternate form of text to students with print disabilities who are unable to gain information from printed materials and need a specialized format. Recorded books are available on MP3 players and provides supports to students without calling attention to their disability

This tool benefits students with a variety of disabilities and learning styles, such as LD, dyslexia, ADD, ADHD, cognitive impairments, auditory learners, blind or low vision, poor vision.
 * Student Characteristics**

All curriculum areas that require reading.
 * Environment**

Reading for a variety of purposes Reading comprehension Focusing on the text
 * Tasks**

(Kim Price)

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 * Sticky Notes**



[|Sticky Notes] $2.99 each

Sticky Notes supports reading by allowing students to jot down quick notes, reminders, and questions.

This tool benefits all students as they are learning to find main ideas, details, and important facts throughout a story. Students can jot down reminders and questions as they read. This especially benefits students with ADHD to help them stay focused and on task.
 * Student Characteristics**

All curriculum areas that require reading.
 * Environment**

Sticky Notes allows students to write important notes/comments about the reading.
 * Tasks**

(Dana Errico)

**Reading Pen**



The Reading Pen costs around $229.95 & up. It can be purchased at []

The Reading Pen helps with reading fluency and comprehension by providing immediate definitions for any scanned print. The scanned text can be read aloud to help struggling students.

This tool benefits all students as because it can read scanned words aloud using Text-to-Speech technology, spells words letter-by-letter, and enhances the reading experience by increasing fluency and vocabulary.
 * Student Characteristics **

All areas that require reading.
 * Environment **

The Reading Pen focuses on reading fluency and comprehension. It also provides auditory and visual feedback.
 * Tasks **

(Dana Errico)


 * Low-Tech: Page Up**



Rakuten.com, $5.99

The Page Up makes it easier for students with physical disabilities to read worksheets and othersheets of paper by placing them in an inexpensive holder

Physical Disabilities
 * Student Characteristics**

All curriculum areas that require reading of worksheets or single sheets of paper
 * Environment**

Independent Reading
 * Tasks**

(Kim Price)


 * Low Tech: Page Turner**



Price: $2.29 for a Rubber Finger Pad off of [|__http://www.quill.com/rubber-finger-pads/cbs/042323.html__]


 * Description**: Page turners assist students who have difficulty turning pages in a book. This can include the use of pencil erasers or rubber-tipped head and hand pointers.


 * Characteristics**: Students with limited fine or gross motor skills will benefit from using this tool


 * Environment**: This tool can be used in any content where a text is being used


 * Tasks**: This page turner can be used to do any assignment that requires reading, or any turning of pages such as on a test.

Jennifer Evans


 * Low Tech: Book Holder**



Book Holder from Amazon. $12.99

The book holder holds books at a comfortable reading angle and provides adjustable pegs to prevent pages from flipping inadvertently.

This tool is ideal for students with physical disabilities that need help holding books, keeping pages still, or reading at a comfortable angle.
 * Student Characteristics**

All curriculum areas that require reading print.
 * Environment**

Reading print. Reading for a variety of purposes.
 * Tasks**

(Danielle Mooney)


 * Hardware: Victor Reader Stream**



@http://www.humanware.com/en-usa/products/blindness/dtb_players/compact_models/_details/id_316/victor_reader_stream_new_generation.html. $369.00

It is a handheld media player for the blind and visually impaired. It plays DAISY books, MP3, MP4, EPUB, and many other media formats. It records voice and media with built-in microphone or line-in. it has two built-in, human-sounding voices for a pleasant text-to-speech experience. It has a built-in wireless networking capability. It weighs less than 4 ounces (110 grams).

Imagine having the latest novels, magazines, your favorite music, audio-described films, texts and your own voice recordings, all in the palm of your hand. With its new lightweight and compact design, Victor Reader Stream delivers hours of listening pleasure ANYWHERE! Far more than just another audio player, the new Stream’s wireless capabilities open up the world to people who are blind or visually impaired. The new Victor Reader Stream is 28% smaller than its predecessor. Its new sleek design is thinner and features rounded shapes, making it more comfortable to hold. The new Stream opens new possibilities for receiving content wirelessly, from books and newspapers to podcasts and radio. It also features a louder speaker, superior text-to-speech, and improved recording. The high contrast, robust, tactile keypad and popular Victor Reader bookshelf navigation still make this Stream the easiest to use hand-held player on the market. Taking your books, music and much more everywhere you go is so easy with the new Victor Reader Stream’s excellent features:
 * Supports up to 32GB removable SD cards and external USB flash drives.
 * Read books from DAISY libraries: NLS, Bookshare, Learning Ally.
 * Enjoy books and music from iTunes.
 * Play text documents with built-in text-to-speech from Acapela.

This tool is ideal for students who are blind or visually impaired.
 * Student Characteristics**

All curriculum areas that require reading.
 * Environment**

Listen to text.
 * Tasks**

(Danielle Mooney)

Tagxedo:


Tagxedo is similar to Wordle, but takes it one step further. Tagxedo allows students to make word clouds just like Wordle, but then it arranges the words into the shape of the thing the words are about! So, if you look at the picture, the words are all about Earth, so the word cloud is in the shape of a globe! This allows word cloud projects to be much more engaging, entertaining, and unique. It still has all of the same qualities of Wordle, like words that are repeated are bigger, etc.

Source: []

This would be a good tool for all students in the classroom. This is a very engaging tool, so it'll keep students involved and focused. If students have a hard time remembering what words were said, this will remind them of the main ideas. I don't think this is a tool that one student needs over another- it is helpful to all! This tool can be used in many different areas of classroom instruction. It could be used in reading when talking about a book, it can be used in science when remembering vocabulary, or it could be used in social studies when reviewing a chapter. It helps students remember the key ideas of a topic and can be posted around the classroom, so all students can benefit from it. It has many uses in the classroom, and makes everything more interesting!

Bridie Condon

__Pebble:__ Source: http://www.infogrip.com/products/low-vision/handheld-magnifiers/pebble.html

Cost: $545.00

Description: Pebble is a portable hand held electronic magnifier. This tool comes in sizes 3.5" and 4.3". The adjustable magnification of the Pebble goes from 2x to 10x of the text and 28 available viewing modes. The Pebble is able to last up to 1.5 hours and is able to freeze an image and magnify it.

Environment: This tool could be used in any classroom or home setting. It can also travel with any student to assist them in reading things throughout his or her day.

Students who have low vision will benefit using this assistive technology tool.

Tasks: Reading and being able to copy down information and write notes.

Tracy Peterson