Information Access Tools and Information Access Tools and Techniques: Teaching Techniques: Teaching Students with Visual Students with Visual Impairments to Effectively Impairments to Effectively Use Digital Audio and Use Digital Audio and Electronic TextElectronic Text

Pennsylvania Low Incidence Institute Pennsylvania Low Incidence Institute Brenda LoughreyBrenda Loughrey

Lynn FoxLynn Fox

August 9–10, 2007August 9–10, 2007FridayFriday

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Using Context Clues Using Context Clues to Build Vocabularyto Build Vocabulary

Students often encounter unfamiliar words in textStudents often encounter unfamiliar words in text Looking up definitions can be disruptive to the reading Looking up definitions can be disruptive to the reading

processprocess The definition/meaning can sometimes be derived The definition/meaning can sometimes be derived

from sentence contextfrom sentence context Students need to be able to identify the major Students need to be able to identify the major

types of context cluestypes of context clues Help provide cursory definition Help provide cursory definition Use multiple strategies to build a more extensive Use multiple strategies to build a more extensive

vocabulary vocabulary

(See Handout 12: Context Clues)(See Handout 12: Context Clues)

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Context Clues: Example 1Context Clues: Example 1

Type of Clue Explanation Example

Definition The unknown word is equated to a more familiar word or phrase

Entomolgy is the study of insects.

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Context Clues: Example 2Context Clues: Example 2Type of Clue Explanation Example

Restatement or Synonym

The meaning is usually right after the unfamiliar word and often separated from the rest of the sentence

Meat eaters, that is carnivores, are at the top of the food chain.

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Context Clues: Example 3Context Clues: Example 3

Type of Clue Explanation Example

Contrast or Antonym

The unfamiliar word is shown to be different from or unlike another word and is often an opposite

Mike’s parrot was loquacious but Maia’s said very little.

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Context Clues: Example 4Context Clues: Example 4

Type of Clue Explanation Example

Comparison The unfamiliar word is shown to be the same as or like another word

My brother is enthralled by birds similar to the way I am fascinated by insects.

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Context Clues: Example 5Context Clues: Example 5

Type of Clue Explanation Example

Example The unfamiliar word is cleared up by giving an example

The archeologist found different amulets, such as a rabbits foot and bags of herbs, near the ancient alter.

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Context Clues: Example 6Context Clues: Example 6

Type of Clue Explanation Example

List or Series The unfamiliar word is included in a series of related words that give an idea of the word’s meaning

North American predators include grizzly bears, pumas, wolves, and foxes.

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Context Clues: Example 7Context Clues: Example 7

Type of Clue Explanation Example

Cause and Effect The meaning of an unfamiliar word is signaled by a cause-and-effect relationship between ideas in the text

Due to a dearth of termites, the aardvark starved to death.

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Context Clues: Example 8Context Clues: Example 8

Type of ClueType of Clue ExplanationExplanation ExampleExample

Description or Description or InferenceInference

The meaning of The meaning of an unfamiliar an unfamiliar word can be word can be inferred from inferred from the description the description of a situation or of a situation or experienceexperience

The monkey’s The monkey’s vociferousvociferous chatter made chatter made me wish I had me wish I had earplugs. earplugs.

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Context Clues:Context Clues:Simulated PracticeSimulated Practice

Go to Go to Exercise 05: Context CluesExercise 05: Context Clues to to complete the following three simulations:complete the following three simulations:

Part A: Print PracticePart A: Print PracticeDefine italicized wordsDefine italicized words

Part B: Deriving Meaning from ContextPart B: Deriving Meaning from ContextUse context information to define termUse context information to define term

Part C: Listening PracticePart C: Listening PracticeTake detailed notes based on assigned Take detailed notes based on assigned passagepassage

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Bookshare.org Bookshare.org

On-line community organized to legally share On-line community organized to legally share scanned booksscanned books

Volunteers and members manage book Volunteers and members manage book collection to eliminate duplicate effortcollection to eliminate duplicate effort

Books are available to individuals with visual Books are available to individuals with visual impairments and reading disabilities impairments and reading disabilities

Accessible formats are available as:Accessible formats are available as: NISO/DAISY digital talking book standardNISO/DAISY digital talking book standard Braille digital format BRFBraille digital format BRF

(See Handout 13: Bookshare.org)(See Handout 13: Bookshare.org)

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Bookshare.org DemoBookshare.org Demo

Listen to a Bookshare.org book sampleListen to a Bookshare.org book sampleAlice’s Adventures in WonderlandAlice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Playback modes:Playback modes: DAISY Text vs. Windows TextDAISY Text vs. Windows Text

Select from Edit Menu or press “Z”Select from Edit Menu or press “Z”

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How to Summarize How to Summarize FictionFiction

Teach students to use the 5WsTeach students to use the 5WsWho, What, When, Where, WhyWho, What, When, Where, Why

Summarize text like a journalist by Summarize text like a journalist by answering the following questions:answering the following questions: WhoWho is the passage about? is the passage about? What What is this character/thing doing?is this character/thing doing? When When is this happening?is this happening? Where Where is this happening?is this happening? Why Why is this happening?is this happening?

(See Handout 14: Summarize Fiction)(See Handout 14: Summarize Fiction)

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Summarize Fiction:Summarize Fiction:Simulated PracticeSimulated Practice

Go to Go to Exercise 06: Using the 5Ws to Exercise 06: Using the 5Ws to Summarize FictionSummarize Fiction to complete the to complete the following simulation:following simulation:

Open Open Alice’s Adventures in WonderlandAlice’s Adventures in Wonderland Open MS Word document titled: Open MS Word document titled:

Template – Using the 5Ws to Summarize Template – Using the 5Ws to Summarize FictionFiction Begin reading and recording notes on Begin reading and recording notes on

templatetemplate

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Data Storage and Data Storage and Transfer Basics Transfer Basics

Students and TVIs need to know how to Students and TVIs need to know how to share information between adapted share information between adapted PDAs, computers, printers, and PDAs, computers, printers, and embossers embossers

Complete these tasks through use of:Complete these tasks through use of: CablesCables Data Storage MediaData Storage Media SoftwareSoftware

(See Handout 15: Data Storage and Transfer Basics)(See Handout 15: Data Storage and Transfer Basics)

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Cables Cables

Used to directly connect note taker or Used to directly connect note taker or PDA to a computer, printer, or embosserPDA to a computer, printer, or embosser

Types:Types: SerialSerial ParallelParallel USBUSB

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Data Storage MediaData Storage Media

Small external data storage devices to Small external data storage devices to copy to and fromcopy to and from

TypesTypes Compact Flash CardsCompact Flash Cards PC Cards (also called PCMCIA Cards)PC Cards (also called PCMCIA Cards) Secure Digital Cards (also called SD Cards)Secure Digital Cards (also called SD Cards) USB Memory Drive (also called USB Key, USB Memory Drive (also called USB Key,

Stick, or Thumb Drive) Stick, or Thumb Drive)

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ConnectionsConnections

Wireless ConnectionsWireless Connections InfraredInfrared Bluetooth Bluetooth

ActiveSyncActiveSync Free Microsoft add-in programFree Microsoft add-in program Allows computer and PDA to easily share Allows computer and PDA to easily share

files, email messages, Outlook contacts, files, email messages, Outlook contacts, calendar, etc.calendar, etc.

A powerful and flexible tool to have A powerful and flexible tool to have information in real timeinformation in real time

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File TypesFile Types

Files created in some applications can be Files created in some applications can be transferred directly to note taker or adapted transferred directly to note taker or adapted PDAPDA

Common Types:Common Types: Text Files (.txt)Text Files (.txt) Word Documents (.doc)Word Documents (.doc) Picture Files (.gif, .tif, .pcx, etc.)Picture Files (.gif, .tif, .pcx, etc.) Excel Files (.xls)Excel Files (.xls) HTML Files (.htm)HTML Files (.htm) Adobe’s Portable Document Format (.pdf)Adobe’s Portable Document Format (.pdf)

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Using JAWS to Access PDF Using JAWS to Access PDF Files and HTML Documents Files and HTML Documents

Refer to Refer to Handout 16: JAWS Handout 16: JAWS Commands for HTLMCommands for HTLM

Use reference sheet for basic JAWS Use reference sheet for basic JAWS navigation commandsnavigation commands

Use this handout in conjunction with the Use this handout in conjunction with the guided practice accessing a variety of guided practice accessing a variety of PDF FilesPDF Files

(See Handout 16: JAWS Commands for HTML)(See Handout 16: JAWS Commands for HTML)

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Roundtable Discussion Roundtable Discussion

Exploring Strategies for Promoting Exploring Strategies for Promoting Independent Information Access for Independent Information Access for Our StudentsOur Students

Let’s process the new strategies just Let’s process the new strategies just introduced to practically apply them to our introduced to practically apply them to our day-to-day teaching. day-to-day teaching.

Points to PonderPoints to Ponder Post-Workshop ExercisePost-Workshop Exercise

Questions and AnswersQuestions and Answers

Workshop Wrap-upWorkshop Wrap-up