more MyReader…

The myReader2 is getting a decent workout by Mac’s aide Ms M.

She has declared her “love” for it after just two days…

Things she likes doing:

• scanning a few pages of the reader for Mac and his reading group so he can read along or everyone can see it on the screen;
• set the text from the book onto a suitably timed scrolling speed;
• putting Mac’s spelling words on the screen and having him copy them down using morse code NOT telling him what the word is (I think he only typed 4 words less than his peers wrote);
• scanning the ‘editing’ paragraph and have Mac tell her what letters/items need to be changed;
• using it in ‘live view’ and putting real items (counters/toys/dice) on the base and using them to ask questions on arrays etc;
• scanning the maths worksheets and seeing just what he can answer with very limited, or at times, no instruction.

Sample of Mac’s work using the myREADER 

Of course I am always going to have reservations about an expensive bit of equipment that is big, bulky and only available to use during school hours.

I would hate for it to just sit there not being used effectively.  So… if it is decided the benefits outweigh the few reservations I might have then I might try and ‘cut a deal’ for a brainstorming session on how many ideas we can come up with to use it as an inclusive tool for the entire class.  That way we could make up a cheat sheet with ideas on it that could be attached to it and I would feel so much better… it really is the little things.

Have you got any ideas for activities or how it should be positioned/located in the classroom?

myReader2

Mac is test-driving a desktop magnifier at school at the moment.  It will be really interesting to try and ascertain just what information he may be able to take in visually and how he finds it.

On his first ‘product review’ he claimed it “makes reading easier to see”.   I know… it’s a confusing little muddle of verbs and nouns he used there.  But it is an improvement, this time last year when he didn’t even acknowledge he could actually “see” – he accepted he could ‘look at stuff’ and ‘know what it was’ but not “see”.   Our 12 month propaganda campaign to convince him he actually can ‘see’ has paid off a little.

CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO VISIT HUMANWARE

On his first day using it he was able to copy down three words and type them back in morse code with just one error.

The myReader2 is a big bit of equipment – not the most ‘inclusive’ bit of kit.  Nevertheless it will be great to see just how much benefit it might bring and whether that outweighs the sense of ‘extraction’ Mac might feel when using it.   Used smartly for Mac and other students it could be quite an ‘inclusive technology’ it would take some rethinking and restructuring, but could work.   My main reservation about it is the need to be ‘tied to a desk’ with it and I guess I would like to rule out trying to ‘make do’ with something like the iPad or other methods to achieve similar outcomes before I was prepared to commit to it.

I am not convinced Mac needs the magnification so much, but rather needs the visual information to be in a more suitable location.

I’ll keep you updated on how we find it.