Free Web-based CalcuType Adds Scanning to Math Functions

We are always looking for math interfaces for assistive technology. CalcuType is a simple browser-based switch-accessible writing tool with word prediction that also does mathmatical equations and writes out your work.

Dr. Gary Bishop, Professor of Computer Science at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill has co-developed and is sharing their program and asking for input. He let me know that although there are other programs out there that do what theirs does, they have added a couple of special features he shared:

"First, the word prediction also does arithmetic. If you type 3+5*2 the suggested completion will be =13. It handles complicated expressions and enables the student to show their work by including text and equations along with their solutions. We think all the vendors of word prediction systems should integrate mathematics into their software. Additionally it allows the student to write on a worksheet represented as an HTML form... It still needs work but we'd love to get feedback from users who would benefit from it."

Calcutype uses an on-screen keyboard with a math window interface. You can configure the setiings you want and open a URL window with it ready to go or use a regular keyboard. You use it to write a document, fill in a form, do math homework, etc. On their web page they share that this is a web-based application that works within the browser and has an embedded calculator. I got the best results using the Firefox web browser. I would highly recommend using the CalcuType with Firefox. I had some problems with IE and Google Chrome, although that might be a problem with our security and firewall at work and not in the program. I love thta it is customizable and works off of the web - so there is nothing to install.
I used a switch interface USB and 2 jelly bean switches for scanning access and it worked great. The developers would really like your input too. They were great to respond and work with me to answer questions. Check them out below.

CalcuType link

It could be interesting to add text to speech and play with a text reader toolbar with it to see what it does. There are several. The click speak embeds in the Firefox browser and Natural Reader is a floating toolbar anywhere on your screen.

All the best to you,
Lon



Bookmark this on Delicious

Great Variety Pack of On-Screen Keyboards for Alternate Access

How do you help a girl who types with her toes very well, is self-concious, is going into middle school next year and uses a mouse with her hands fairly well?

We have been using the Click-n-Type On-Screen Keyboard with her and an open Word document. I have used the Click-n-type because it is free, has word prediction and is size-adjustable. But for this particular student, we have a need to adjust her keyboard more and today I found Comfort Software's On-Screen Keyboard Package. You can get a basic set for $9.95 or the fully customizable set with all the bells and whistles for $19.95. You can download it for free and use for 30 days to try it out.

I found over 40 different styles of keyboards with word prediction, opacity settings, and thematic backgrounds such as jelly beans, watercolor art, bubbles, dew on a leaf, etc.

There are multimedia keyboards, ergonomic keyboards, split ones, vertical ones, circle key keyboards, etc. There are fully assignable hot keys and you can design and save your own customized keyboards. All this for $19.95.

I have experimented with a lot of on screen keyboards and for the price, this one is terrific. I would love to try it out on a Dynavox V Max with the Touch screen PC part turned on!

I would highly recommend checking Comfort Software out...

All the best to you!

Lon

Bookmark this on Delicious

kidthing Offers Four Free Dr Seuss E-Books for Read Across America

Read Across Amercia and the NEA join kidthing to give you Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs & Ham, Hop on Pop and Horton Hears a Who free starting March 2nd.
I have been sharing how cool this reader is and how you can let kids read for themselves and attach a switch interface and jelly bean to do the mouse click and turn the pages. If you are a teacher or specialist, you can download the player with an NEA password to get books. Check it out...



Go to: www.kidthing.com/nea

All the best to you!
Lon



Bookmark this on Delicious