Assistive Technology

loidamckinnon published in Assistive Technology May 19, 2023

Curriculum Mapping Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

Curriculum Trak – This software is designed for tracking a child’s learning journey from pre-school through graduation. It is designed to simplify the process of curriculum mapping for K-12

teachers and administrators. With customizable templates, it helps set up maps for educators and teachers. It is cloud-based, thus allowing the storage of curriculum maps.

Planboard – This is a comprehensive tool that allows teachers and school administrators to plan and track lessons, schedules, and curriculums. The first step is to create a free account at chalk.com; the user can color-code the subjects, subdividing them if more than one class takes a subject. The final step is organizing and creating the lessons. Planboard allows users to attach media files, documents, and external links; this tool can also be synced with other apps from chalk.com.

Curriculum Engine – This is a revolutionary intelligent curriculum editing and design platform initially developed for high school mathematics. The Curriculum Engine platform automates the process of tailoring resources to meet the specific needs of teachers, classes, and students and allows an educator to define and build coherent standards-aligned courses easily. The platform works with leading learning management and student information systems or on a standalone basis to edit, author, and deliver rich, personalized mathematics content. It has an unlimited capacity to build courses that any district or teacher needs, from core instruction and credit or content recovery to test preparation.

Learning Explorer– is a learning object repository (LOR) and curriculum management platform for districts and schools that has been designed for– and by– educators to make it easy to discover, manage, personalize and assign learning resources using an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. Learning It is a single-sign-on solution that allows teachers to search for standards-based learning resources from a huge library of curated OER and top-quality third-party educational publisher content with just a few clicks. Using a high-powered search algorithm, Lesson Planet allows users to search by concept, standard, grade, subject, resource type, instructional design, rating, and more to find exactly what they are looking for (and avoid the dreaded hunt for actual relevant curriculum).

loidamckinnon published in Assistive Technology May 18, 2023

Unveiling Tech Stocks: Exploring Investment Opportunities at the Intersection of Technology and Finance

Technology has become an integral part of our lives, driving innovation and transforming industries. In parallel, the stock market provides investors with opportunities to participate in the growth and success of technology companies. This article aims to shed light on the world of tech stocks from a financial perspective, highlighting the potential benefits and considerations for investors seeking to capitalize on the dynamic intersection of technology and finance.

The Rise of Tech Stocks:

Over the past few decades, tech stocks have emerged as a dominant force in the stock market. Technology companies have showcased remarkable growth rates, disrupting traditional industries and revolutionizing the way we live, work, and communicate. As a result, tech stocks have garnered significant attention from investors, seeking to benefit from the innovation-driven growth potential of this sector.

Evaluating Technology Companies

When considering tech stocks, it is important to evaluate companies based on various financial and qualitative factors. Fundamental analysis, which includes assessing financial statements, revenue growth, profitability, and market share, is essential to gain insights into the financial health and stability of a tech company. Additionally, qualitative factors such as management expertise, competitive advantage, intellectual property, and product pipeline should also be taken into account.

Understanding Market Dynamics:

The tech industry is highly dynamic, with new trends and developments constantly shaping the landscape. Understanding the market dynamics is crucial for identifying potential investment opportunities. This includes staying informed about emerging technologies, consumer behavior shifts, regulatory changes, and competitive forces. By keeping a pulse on these market dynamics, investors can position themselves to capitalize on emerging trends and make well-informed investment decisions.

Balancing Growth and Value:

Tech stocks are often associated with growth, as many technology companies have experienced exponential revenue and earnings growth. However, it is important to strike a balance between growth and value when considering tech stocks. Some technology companies may exhibit high growth potential but carry lofty valuations, which could make them susceptible to market corrections. Evaluating the company’s growth prospects relative to its valuation is crucial in determining whether the stock is a suitable investment.

Diversification and Risk Management:

Diversification is key when investing in tech stocks. The tech sector can be volatile, influenced by factors such as technological advancements, market sentiment, and macroeconomic conditions. By diversifying across different technology sub-sectors and geographies, investors can mitigate risks associated with individual stocks and reduce the impact of market fluctuations on their portfolios. Risk management strategies, such as setting stop-loss orders or regularly reviewing and rebalancing the portfolio, can also be employed to protect investments.

Long-Term Investing and Patience

Investing in tech stocks often requires a long-term perspective. Technology companies go through cycles of innovation, product development, and market adoption, which can take time to materialize. Patience is key when investing in tech stocks, as short-term volatility and market fluctuations may obscure the long-term growth potential of a company. Having a disciplined investment approach and focusing on the fundamentals and long-term prospects of the company can help investors navigate the ups and downs of the tech sector.

Seeking Expert Advice and Research

Navigating the tech stock market can be complex, especially for individual investors. Seeking advice from financial advisors or leveraging expert research can provide valuable insights and help investors make more informed decisions. Research reports, industry analysis, and expert opinions can help investors identify potential investment opportunities, evaluate risks, and gain a deeper understanding of the technology sector.

Conclusion

Tech stocks present a world of investment opportunities at the intersection of technology and finance. By evaluating technology companies, understanding market dynamics, balancing growth and value, diversifying portfolios, and maintaining a long-term perspective, investors can capitalize on the potential benefits offered by tech stocks. However, it\

is crucial to exercise caution and conduct thorough research before making investment decisions. The tech sector’s fast-paced nature and inherent risks necessitate a diligent approach to risk management and portfolio diversification. Additionally, seeking expert advice and leveraging reliable research sources can provide valuable insights and help investors navigate the complexities of the tech stock market.

It’s important to remember that investing in tech stocks carries both opportunities and risks. While the potential for high growth and substantial returns can be appealing, it’s essential to remain mindful of the inherent volatility and uncertainties that come with investing in technology companies. Diligent research, careful analysis, and a long-term perspective are key to successful investing in the tech sector.

Matthew Lynch published in Assistive Technology, Best of the Best Lists August 28, 2020

Assistive Technology Apps, Tools, and Resources That I Would Use If I Were Still in the Classroom

Back in 2001, when I started as a teacher, the technology boom was in its nascent stage. I remember toting a large bag filled with papers home most nights and going to sleep drowning under a vast sea of student homework that needed grading. My classroom was even worse, cluttered with books, manipulatives, globes, maps, and learning stations that left little room for anything else. However, as I write this in 2018, things have changed dramatically. Today’s teachers have edtech in their corners. Digital teaching and learning tools have streamlined education processes and provide learning experiences that stretch far beyond the materials that were available for me back in 2001.

For instance, teachers can use assistive technology to help special needs students succeed in the classroom. Assistive technology allows Down Syndrome students to complete assignments quicker than if they had tried the tasks on their own. Assistive technology can help students with apraxia communicate with pictures, formulate sounds, practice sound production, and improve their communication skills. It can even to help students compensate for their developmental delays. Assistive technology is nothing short of magic. If I were still in the classroom today, I’d use these assistive technology apps, tools, and resources:

Proloquo2Go: Proloquo2Go is an augmentative and alternative communication app that uses symbols to help those who cannot speak for themselves. It uses pictures to help users choose the right words for their unique situation. Adults can easily customize the app for more convenient use.

Articulation Games Assistive Technologies– This app includes four entertaining games with a dynamic way of teaching sound production. The games were assembled by professional speech pathologists, and they contain over 40 phenomes arranged in order of sound placement. The app comes with flashcards and professional sound recordings. Children get rewarded for making progress on the game.

Voice4U: This is an easy-to-use app intended for ELL student, people with communication impairments such as Autism, stroke survivors, and traumatic brain injury victims. The app allows its users to express their ideas, thoughts, and feelings through alternative methods.

Memory Trainer: Because memory is so essential to everything else in the classroom, many teachers choose apps like Memory Trainer to help boost spatial and working memory. This program provides graphical progress so you can see the gains made in spatial and working memory. As an added perk, it also helps to work on focus and concentration.

Citelighter– Citelighter is an assistive research tool that lets you gather facts and materials and arrange them in an orderly fashion. It only takes three easy steps to use Citelighter in your research. Create an account and download the plug-in, begin a project with the toolbar or website, and you are good to go. Citelighter is also handy while you scour the Internet for suitable or appropriate information.

Natural Reader: This is considered to be one of the most powerful text-to-speech apps on today’s market. It can work with several different types of documents including PDFs, Docs, and TXT files. Perhaps the best part is that it reads with your choice from more than fifty natural voices, just as the name implies.

Did we miss any?