Assistive Technology Network E-News
Volume 1, Issue 2
October 2004

Welcome to the Assistive Technology Electronic Newsletter designed to provide educators with tips and tricks when integrating technology in the classroom.

Contents:

Auto Replace Text with a Graphic in MS Word

With MS Word, you can type a word and have a graphic automatically replace the word.  This can be a great tool for early literacy.  For example, if the student types his name correct, you can make his photograph pop up.  You can also set up a page for the child to practice spelling words.  Chose ten words on the spelling list and place them in the autocorrect tool.  As the student types it correctly, the word will be replaced with a graphic.  This is an excellent activity to motivate emerging spellers.  Here are the directions…

1.      Open up MS Word.

2.      Insert the picture that you want to pop up by going to Insert, Picture, From File.  Find the picture of your choice and click Insert.

3.      Click on the picture to make it active.  It will have small boxes along the border of the picture.

4.      Go to Tools, and select AutoCorrect. A dialog box will open and the cursor will be flashing in the box below “replace”.  In the box, type the word that corresponds with the picture.  Click OK.

This tool can be used a myriad of ways.

Social Studies:  Teach new vocabulary words for content areas (plant parts, the water cycle, famous Americans, holidays, continents, and regions.

Math:  Geometry - types of angles, shapes, lines, rays, and line segments.  Numeracy – type in the standard form and the expanded form would display.  Measurement – US Customary and metric system.

Language Arts:  color words, number words, images for feelings and emotions, student names, story vocabulary words.  Also, when the student writes a paragraph using selected words or spelling words, the images would be displayed.

Unfortunately, the autocorrect tool affects all documents that you will type in the future.  To stop the image from popping up, go back into Tools, AutoCorrect, use the scroll bar to find the target word and press delete.

For a webshop on how to do this, visit T-TAC Online.  It also shows how to insert BoardMaker pictures.  http://www.ttaconline.org

For more information on AutoCorrect go to:
http://www.uwec.edu/help/Word03/AUTO-correplace.htm#replace

Using Digital Images in Writing with Symbols

When I adapt children’s books using WWS, I like to use specific images from the book instead of the generic graphics in the program.  To do this, scan images in the book that you want and save to a folder where you can easily find them.  To insert the image, follow the directions at http://www.senit.org/tutorials/wws2k/wws2kextg.htm

 More Ideas and Making Resources using WWS2000
http://www.widgit.com/support/wws/howto/#a4

Conferences:

What: TechKnowledgy 2004
When:  November 3 & 4, 2004, 8:00 – 3:30
Where:  Holiday Inn Select Koger South, Richmond, VA
Cost:  $100.00 for one day, $125 for both days
Contact:  Children’s Hospital, Richmond, VA  804-228-5845  

What:  Visual Screening and Assessment for Young Visually Impaired Children
When:  November 12, 2004, 8:30 – 3:00
Who: Lucy Memmo, Vision Education Consultant, Commonwealth of Virginia
Where: Brickhouse Auditorium at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Norfolk, VA
Cost: $15.00
Contact:  Shannon Duncan at 757-683-4333

What:  The Write Tool:  Finding the Right AT to Support Writing Success
When:  November 18, 2004, 8:00 – 3:00
Where: Holiday Inn Hampton Hotel & Conference Center, Hampton, VA
Cost:  $25.00
Contact: Shannon Duncan at 757-683-4333  

What:  Affording ALL Children Opportunities to Play
When:  March 9, 2005  8:00 – 3:00
Where: Omni Newport News
Cost:  $25.00
Contact: Contact:  Shannon Duncan at 757-683-4333 or go to http://www.ttac.odu.edu/NewButton/MistrettFront&Reg.pdf

Notices: