Free help with tech tools to overcome learning challenges
by Kathy Kuhl Assistive technology–tech tools to help people with learning challenges and other disabilities–keeps growing fast. If no one’s invented a tool to help your child or teen, it may come out next week. But there’s so many! Where to begin? And what can I get that’s good and free, to begin with? How […]
Read faster with BeeLine Reader, new software tool
By Kathy Kuhl Want to read faster? Want to help your dyslexic child’s eyes find the next line more easily? BeeLine Reader can help. It’s an unusual browser extension for Chrome and Firefox, (and also an iOS app) that can make reading on screen easier. I’m so impressed with this tool that I […]
Taming Smartphones: Using Handheld Tech to Help, Not Hurt
by Kathy Kuhl A smartphone is both a great tool and a great distraction. How can we harness the technology to help our struggling learners, without making life harder? Last week in Missouri, I spoke on helping distractible students succeed. For teens, I weighed the pros and cons of carrying smartphones. A few of […]
Tech Tools to Help Students Overcome Learning Challenges
Who can keep track of all the new tricks your computer, tablet, or phone can do? Who can keep up with all the apps in Google Play or the App Store? When you add tracking new accessibility features on top of teaching children or teens with learning challenges or other special needs, it’s hard. But […]
New Resources to Make Reading Easier
by Kathy Kuhl Joan Green is one of the nation’s experts on finding tools to help people with all kinds of learning challenges. I’ve recommended her work in assistive technology before, and now she has new ways to help. Why I like Joan Green’s work Joan keeps up with the fast-growing field of assistive […]
Trouble with pencil grip? Two great tools
By Kathy Kuhl One of my favorite tools for those who struggle with pencil grip–how to hold it correctly, and how to hold it without getting tired–is the Twist-n-Write pencil by Baumgartens. (Links are below.) Shaped like a wishbone, this pencil: makes it easier to hold a pencil correctly lets the sensory-seeking child […]
Unusual tool for teens with handwriting difficulties
by Kathy Kuhl When I speak at conventions on helping teens overcome struggles with writing, one piece of technology for folks with handwriting problems gets more oohs and ahhs than any other. Since it generates so much interest, I’ve decided to write about it. Livescribe Smart Pen looks like a pen, but it is more. It has a microphone […]
Tools to Help Students with Writing Difficulties
Know a child or teen who struggles with writing? Wonder what tools can help? In such a fast-growing field, it’s hard to keep up. But don’t stick with the old technology (like my old manual typewriter shown here). Try something new. I’ve found three resources this week: The mother-daughter team of Darla and Kaila Hatton […]
Webinar: Assistive tech for middle school & up
Joan Green is the best source I know for keeping up with assistive technologies. On June 25, 27 and July 1, she’s giving a series of webinars these next two weeks, discussing tools to help students with organization, reading, and writing, as well as free online tools and iPad apps.
Software and technology tools
My local Virginia support group, GiftsNVA, had the privilege of hearing Joan Green. Joan helps parents find software and other tech tools to help their special children. Joan’s newest book is out, The Ultimate Guide to Assistive Technology in Special Education. This gold mine of resources includes technology to improve verbal expression, to improve auditory comprehension, and […]