tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-179183622009-03-02T12:39:08.674-06:00Brian Wojcikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07332013982584591151noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17918362.post-1162399061394270232006-11-01T10:37:00.000-06:002006-11-02T09:42:51.323-06:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.ucpnet.org/images/coalition/BEST%20at%20CTG.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.ucpnet.org/images/coalition/BEST%20at%20CTG.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><p>After a long absence, we've returned with the first of many upcoming podcasts from the BEST podcast crew. This podcast was recorded at the 2006 Closing the Gap Conference in Bloomington, MN. Here are some highlights:</p> <p><a href="http://www.natenetwork.net" target="_blank" alt="Link to NATE Network Website">NATE Network</a></p> <ul> <li>Mentoring </li><li>Web 2.0 </li><li>Monograph - "Assistive Technology Teams: Many Ways to Do It Well" by Denise DeCoste, Penny Reed, and Marsye Kaplan</li></ul> <p>Exhibit Hall Highlights</p> <ul> <li>Boardmaker 6.0 from <a href="http://www.mayer-johnson.com" alt="Link to Mayer-Johnson.com">Mayer-Johnson</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.cyranocommunicator.com/" alt="Link to Cyrano Communicator website">Cyrano Communicator</a> by One Write Company </li><li><a href="http://www.cricksoft.com/us/products/clickerpaint/" alt="Link to Clicker Paint page on Cricksoft.com">Clicker Paint</a> by Cricksoft </li><li><a href="http://www.augresources.com/" alt="Link to Augmentative Resources">Augmentative Resources</a></li><li>Switching On... Curriculum - <a href="http://www.softtouch.com/productdisplay.aspx?productid=SO%20AH">SoftTouch</a><br /></li></ul> <p>Interview:</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.ucpnet.org/images/coalition/BEST%20with%20Joan%20at%20CTG.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 132px; height: 100px;" src="http://www.ucpnet.org/images/coalition/BEST%20with%20Joan%20at%20CTG.jpg" alt="Image of Joan Breslin-Larson with the BEST Crew" border="0" /></a>Joan Breslin-Larson, <a href="http://education.state.mn.us/mde/Learning_Support/Special_Education/Evaluation_Program_Planning_Supports/Assistive_Technology/index.html" alt="Link to Minnesota Department of Education">Minnesota Department of Education</a><ul> </ul>Joan was a part of a presentation entitled,<strong> "Complaints and Monitors and Due Process, Oh My!" </strong>with Gayl Bowser, and froma Cummings. She shares some interesting findings from their research into due process complaints across several states.<br /><p>Next time... Vendor Interviews from Closing the Gap</p> <p> </p> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Want to be involved in the BEST Podcast?</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Leave us a comment below<br /></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;">OR</span> </h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Email Us at </span><a href="mailto:bestpodcats@gmail.com"><span style="font-size:100%;">bestpodcast@gmail.com </span></a><span style="font-size:100%;">OR</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Skype us at bwwojci OR</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Call us at 309-740-1464</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17918362-116239906139427023?l=bestpodcast.blogspot.com'/></div>Dave Hohulinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01122083734638738362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17918362.post-1158061089358628902006-06-20T06:36:00.000-05:002006-09-12T06:38:09.786-05:00Just a quick note...we took a break.<br /><br />We are gearing up to release our first podcast of the new school year in late September. Look for all kinds of good things to come throughout the year....<br /><br />Thanks for hangin with us...<br /><br />Brian<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17918362-115806108935862890?l=bestpodcast.blogspot.com'/></div>Brian Wojcikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07332013982584591151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17918362.post-1141788445303566552006-03-07T21:23:00.000-06:002006-03-10T11:02:43.556-06:00<span style="font-weight: bold;">Episode One</span><br /><br />In this special episode, we have the opportunity to speak with Adam Wing from <a href="http://www.laureatelearning.com">Laureate Learning Systems</a> about <a href="http://www.llsys.com/professionals602/products/descriptions/atlasdesc.html">ATLAS </a>and Jennifer Edge-Savage from <a href="http://www.kurzweiledu.com">Kurzweil Educational Systems</a> about <a href="http://www.kurzweiledu.com/products_k3000win.asp">Kurzweil 3000</a>, version 9.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Episode Two</span><br /><br />In this special episode, we speak with Ann Johnson from <a href="http://www.mayer-johnson.com">Mayer-Johnson</a> about some of the differences between BoardMaker, BoardMaker Plus and BoardMaker with Speaking Dynamically Pro and then with Bob Keller from <a href="http://www.donjohnston.com">Don Johnston</a> about the Core Content Series that was debuted as an addition to the Start to Finish Series.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Episode Three</span><br /><br />In this special episode, we have the opportunity to speak with Deb Barrows from <a href="http://www.cricksoft.com">Crick Software</a> on Clicker 5 and with Dick Powers from <a href="http://www.texthelp.com">TextHelp!</a> on the latest versions of TextHelp! Read and Write Gold.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Want to be involved?</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Leave us a comment below OR</span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Email Us at <a href="mailto:bestpodcats@gmail.com">bestpodcast@gmail.com </a>OR</span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Skype us at bwwojci OR</span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Call us at 309-740-1464</span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17918362-114178844530356655?l=bestpodcast.blogspot.com'/></div>Brian Wojcikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07332013982584591151noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17918362.post-1139193616621102852006-02-05T20:39:00.000-06:002006-02-05T20:40:17.166-06:00<span style="font-weight: bold;">Intro</span><br /><ul><li>Welcome back<br /></li><li>First Podcast of New Year</li><li>What happened to December?</li><ul><li>Brief Discussion on <a href="http://www.atia.org">ATIA</a></li><li>Brief Discussion on <a href="http://nimas.cast.org">NIMAS</a></li><li>Brief Discussion on <a href="http://www.opensource.org">OpenSource</a></li><ul><li><a href="http://amis.sourceforge.net/">AMIS </a>(Open Source <a href="http://www.daisy.org/about_us/brochure.asp">DAISY </a>Book Reader)<br /></li></ul></ul><li>Emails and Feedback from Listenters</li><ul><li>Email on Conference Tips</li><li>Another AT Podcast Email<br /></li></ul><ul><li>Remind about contact information</li></ul></ul>News<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/12/05/BAGDIG2Q831.DTL">Testing Rules Contradict Each Other0 Disabled Students Penalized for Using Approved Alterations</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bookcatcher.com/news/articles/2005-Nov-23/260/260.php">Textbooks may be going the Way of Eight Track Tapes in New Era of Digital Content</a></li><li><a href="http://left-behind.4everyone.com/?blogentry=71297">Premier Assistive Technology Grant Extentsion</a></li><li><a href="http://news.com.com/Wikibooks+takes+on+textbook+industry/2100-1025_3-5884291.html?tag=nefd.lede">Wikibooks Take on Textbook Industry</a></li><ul><li><a href="http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Main_Page">Wikibooks</a><br /></li></ul></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Product Review and Other Resources</span><br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.tumblebooks.com">TumbleBooks</a></li><ul><li>Tumble Library</li><li>Tumble Book Club</li><li>Tumble Readables</li><li>Tumble Talking Books</li></ul><li><a href="http://www.storynory.com/">Storynory</a> - Free children'ts stories for your IPod</li><li><a href="http://www.pocketmod.com">PocketMod.com</a></li><li>Clicker (<a href="http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/13252823.htm">Professors find that clicker is quicker than making tongue tied scholars speak</a>)</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Calls for Help</span><br /><ul><li>Regular Education PE for a Child with Autism</li><li>Communication Issues for a Student with Significant Cognitive Difficulties</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wrap Up</span><br /><ul><li>Next time....Interviews from ATIA</li><li>Email us at <a href="mailto:bestpodcast@gmail.com">bestpodcast@gmail.com</a></li><li>Skype us at bwwojci or call us at 309-740-1464</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Want to be involved?</span><br />Leave us a comment below OR<br />Email Us at <a href="mailto:bestpodcats@gmail.com">bestpodcast@gmail.com </a>OR<br />Skype us at bwwojci OR<br />Call us at 309-740-1464<br /></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17918362-113919361662110285?l=bestpodcast.blogspot.com'/></div>Brian Wojcikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07332013982584591151noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17918362.post-1132288919081196712005-11-17T22:36:00.000-06:002005-11-19T23:13:44.070-06:00<span style="font-weight: bold;">AT News</span><br />Upcoming Conferences<br /><ul> <li><a href="http://www.atia.org">ATIA</a> – January 18-22, Orlando FL</li> <li><a href="http://www.trld.com/">TRLD </a>– Jan 26-28</li> <li><a href="http://www.csun.edu/cod/conf/index.htm">CSUN </a>– March 20-25, 2006, Los Angelos </li> <li><a href="http://center.uoregon.edu/ISTE/NECC2006/">NECC </a>– July 5-7, San Diego</li> </ul> Top tips to get the most out of a conference:<br /><ul> <li>Bring pre-made labels to supply to vendors</li> <li>Share handouts </li> <li>Find out if handouts are online – get them all</li> <li>Talk with vendors about ‘special sessions’</li> <li>Check with vendors for booth presentations</li> <li>Check with vendors for free updates to software (MOBS)</li> <li>Check with vendors on price, many offer significant reductions if you purchase at the conference, consider having prearranged to make some purchases</li> <li>Have a backup session in mind for a given time slot, don’t be afraid to leave a session that isn’t meeting your needs</li> <li>If the vendor area is open ahead of the conference, plan to attend, it is a good time to take a quick look </li> <li>Network with other conference attendees, you can learn a lot from each other and share content from sessions</li> </ul> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Product/Tech Review</span><br />New products introduced at CTG… courtesy of Jeannette Van Houten from <a href="http://sweb.uky.edu/%7Ejszaba0/qiatlistserv.html">QIAT Listserv</a><br /><br /><ul> <li>Able Net. Inc.: has improved their slim armstrong. If you have not checked out the following items, they are worth a look: MEville to WEville and Star Reporter. The MEville to WEville and Star Reporter are complete units that teachers have created. Able net also has a new switch Jelly Beamer™ wireless switch. <a href="http://www.ablenetinc.com">http://www.ablenetinc.com </a></li> <li>Widget the company that has brought you writing with symbols has 3 new products on the market. The one that really WOW’d me was the first symbol-supported web browser. It turns any web page into symbol based text. You can check it out at the <a href="http://www.widgit.com/products/index.htm%20.">http://www.widgit.com/products/index.htm .</a></li> <li>Intellitools is now offering a few upgrade to Intellipics Studio which now contains the old Intellipics. They also have some new overlays that work with many other programs, such as Kurzweil, SOLO, AOL, Kidspiration/Inspriration, Itunes, and others. <a href="http://www.intellitools.com/">http://www.intellitools.com/ </a></li> </ul> Other Up and Coming Products<br /><ul> <li>Fly Pen - <a href="http://www.flypentop.com/">http://www.flypentop.com/</a></li> </ul><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Closing Notes</span><br /><ul> <li>Review show notes location –http://bestpodcast.blogspot.com</li> <li>We want Feedback!</li> <li>Comments on the Weblog http://bestpodcast.blogspot.com </li> <li>Feedback on podcast</li> <li>Additional Features people would like to see</li> <li>Questions about AT that we can help answer</li> <li>K12 AT Stories</li> <li>Strategies of AT Use in K12 Education</li> <li>Future Topics</li> <li>Want to be interviewed?</li> <li>Email us at <a href="mailto:bestpodcast@gmail.com">bestpodcast@gmail.com</a></li> <li>Skype us at bwwojci or call us at 309-740-1464</li> </ul> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Next show</span><br /><ul> <li>Caroline Van Howe/David Dikter to talk about ATIA and the ATIA Conference</li> <li>More device reviews</li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/17918362-113228891908119671?l=bestpodcast.blogspot.com'/></div>Brian Wojcikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07332013982584591151noreply@blogger.com4