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Introduction | Task | Process
| Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits
| Teacher Page
Introduction
Screen Readers
A Screen Reader is the commonly used name
for specific Voice Output Technologies. Screen readers are used to replace the
visual display traditionally viewed on a monitor for those with various levels
of visual disabilities. Hardware and software produce synthesized voice output
for text displayed on the computer screen, as well as for keystrokes entered on
the keyboard.
Screen Magnification Software
Screen Magnification programs magnify a
portion of the screen, increasing the visibility for some users with limited or
low vision. Most have variable magnification levels. the ability to magnify
parts or full screen and some screen enlargement programs also offer
text-to-speech. Computer
operators using screen magnification often require a larger monitor. This allows
sufficient information to be displayed on the screen for the user to continue to
make sense of the data and its relationship to the document as a whole.
Resources
- Computer with up to date browser
- Word Processor and PowerPoint software
- Latest version of
Shockwave installed
- Sound card and speakers or headphones
Task
Teachers/students will use the provided web
resources and/or will explore to find some of their own in order to
gain additional knowledge of the assistive technologies that relate
to screen readers and screen magnification software. Individual
participants will participate in a screen reading simulation and
will be asked to describe their experience in a one page reflection
paper. You will also discover the various types of screen
magnification software programs that are available and report their
findings by creating a PowerPoint slide show.
Process
Screen Readers
To get a preview of what a screen reader is,
who they are designed for and the features that are available, check out the
following web sites:
Now that you have a grasp on what a Screen Reader is, it
is time to put yourself in the role of a individual with a visual impairment. Go
to Web Aim's
Screen
Reader Simulation and read the purpose and explanation of the simulation.
Then click on the link to access the simulation and try to access the necessary
information to answer the 3 questions that are included in the simulation by using the keyboard
shortcuts. After the simulation please answer the following questions.
- Were you able to navigate the website effectively
enough to answer the 3 questions?
- What were some negative features in the web site design
that made it difficult to understand its content?
- What keyboards shortcuts were the most/least useful?
- What are some web site design elements that would help
a visually disabled person more easily navigate the site?
- What are your reactions to the process of using a
screen reader in order to access information over the web?
This activity will be assessed using this
rubric.
Screen Magnification Software
To get an idea of what type of Screen Magnification software that
is available, do an Internet Search for
screen readers or you can use the Adaptive Technology Resource Center's
Screen
Magnification
page. As you explore keep in mind the following questions.
- What are some of the names of commonly used Screen
Magnification software programs?
- What are some of the basic and advanced features
included in the software?
- What are some of the weaknesses or negative
characteristics of
using Screen Magnifiers?
- What are the compatibility issues with Screen
Magnification
software in relation to operating systems as well as word processing,
multimedia and browser software?
- What is the price range for a single license for these
types of software?
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Example of Screen Magnification |
Use the information you have gathered to collaborate with
your team and create a
PowerPoint Slide Show about Screen Magnification Software. Use the following
list to create headings for each of your slides and also include any relevant
graphics, pictures, sounds and graphs to enhance the information on each slide.
- Title Slide
- Description
- Software Types
- Features
- Weaknesses
- Pricing and Compatibility Issues
- Conclusion
- Sources
Your PowerPoint project will be assessed using this
rubric.
Evaluation
Screen Reader Paragraph Assessment
The screen reader assignment will be assessed
using the following rubric. Please use the provided questions as a
basis for the content of the assignment but feel free to include any
additional thoughts or information that you found to be interesting.
This activity should be done individually and should be about 1 page
in length (Please include a title page). Upon completion please save
the document using rich text format and attach it to an email
to be sent to one of the instructors.
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Screen Reader
Assignment Rubric |
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|
|
4
points |
3
points |
2
points |
1
point |
|
Topic
Sentence |
There is
a topic sentence(s) that engages the reader and is easy to
follow, containing all information a reader would need to
follow the paragraph. |
There is
a topic sentence that is easy to follow, but does not
engage the reader, and contains almost all information a
reader would need to follow the paragraph. |
There is
a topic sentence that is confusing and does not engage the
reader, but has almost all the information a reader would
need to follow the paragraph. |
There is
a topic sentence that is confusing, does not engage the
reader, and is missing information a reader would need to
follow the paragraph. |
|
Support
Statements or Subtopics |
There are
3 clearly stated Support Statements, which relate easily
to the topic. |
There are
3 Support Statements, which relate to the topic. |
There are
less than three Support Statements, which relate to the
topic, or has 3 Support Statements, which do not all
relate to the topic. |
There are
less than 3 Support Statements, which do not all relate
back to the topic. |
|
Explanations and Commentary |
All
support statements give explanatory commentary that
directly relates examples back to the support statement
clearly and precisely.
|
All
support statement s give complete explanatory commentary
that directly relates examples back to the support
statement. |
Support
statements have incomplete or confusing explanatory
commentary that only partly relates examples back to the
support statements. |
Most or
all of the explanatory commentary is incomplete or
missing. |
|
Transitions |
There are
consistent and smooth transitions between all support
statements and ideas. |
There are
consistent and smooth transitions between all support
statements, and almost all ideas. |
There are
transitions between support statements, but transitions
are sometimes redundant, clumsy, or inconsistent. |
Transitions between ideas are missing, and transitions
between support statements / topics are redundant, clumsy,
or inconsistent. |
|
Conclusion |
There is
a conclusion that wraps everything up both eloquently and
smoothly, restates the topic, and contains no new
evidence. |
There is
a conclusion that wraps everything up, restates the topic,
and contains no new evidence. |
There is
a conclusion that restates the topic and contains no new
evidence. |
There is
a conclusion that doesn’t relate back to the topic, but
brings up no new evidence or restates the topic, but
contains new evidence. |
|
Mechanics, Usage, Grammar, Spelling, Capitalization, and
Punctuation
Citation,
Format, and Legibility |
There are
0-2 errors in M.U.G.P.C. S. and no citation errors. Paper
is legible, in ink or in properly typed format, and
heading is proper. |
There are
0-3 errors in M.U.G.P.C. S. and 1 – 2 errors in citation.
Paper is legible, in ink or in properly typed format, and
heading is proper. |
There are
4 – 6 errors in MUGPCS and / or 2 or more errors in
citation. Paper is only partly legible, in ink or in
improperly typed format or heading.
|
There are
7 – 8 errors in MUGPCS and / or 2 or more errors in
citation. Paper is illegible, in ink but with improper
format or heading. |
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Screen Magnification PowerPoint Assessment
The screen reader PowerPoint will be completed
through collaboration with your team and should have at least 8
slides using the basic headings that are provided. The organization
of the presentation is up to your discretion as long as the content
is addressed and the flow of the information is not impeded. The
following rubric will be used to score the team's product. Please
make sure that each slide has at least one relevant graphic,
picture, sound, or graph to accompany the information. Once
completed, one team member should attach it to an email to be sent
to one of the instructors.
Screen Magnification PowerPoint Rubric
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4 Points |
3 Points |
2 Points |
1 Point |
| Content
|
Covers topic
in-depth with details and examples. Subject knowledge is excellent.
|
Includes essential
knowledge about the topic. Subject knowledge appears to be good.
|
Includes basic
information about the topic. |
Content is minimal
OR there are several factual errors. |
| Organization
|
All required slides
are present, are of the highest quality and are thematic in nature. Content is well
organized using headings or bulleted lists to group related material.
|
Uses headings or
bulleted lists to organize information. All required slides are present and
are thematic in nature. |
Content is
logically organized for the most part. All required slides are present. |
There was no clear
or logical organizational structure. Some slides may be missing or
incomplete. |
| Graphics & Media |
Each slide contains
relevant graphics, clip art or graphs that enhance the information.
|
Each slide contains
relevant graphics, clip art or graphs. |
Most slides contain
relevant graphics, clip art or graphs. |
Little or no
graphics, sound, clip art or graphs are present in the product. |
| Mechanics
|
No misspellings or
grammatical errors. |
Three or fewer
misspellings and/or mechanical errors. |
Four misspellings
and/or grammatical errors. |
More than 4 errors
in spelling or grammar. |
| Sources
|
Source information
collected for all graphics, facts and quotes. All documented in desired
format. |
Source information
collected for all graphics, facts and quotes. Most documented in desired
format. |
Source information
collected for graphics, facts and quotes, but not documented in desired
format. |
Very little or no
source information was collected. |
| Requirements
|
All requirements
for this assignment were met and of the highest quality. All members of the
group fully participated in the full creation of the product. |
All requirements
for this assignment were met. All members of the group fully participated in
the creation of the product. |
Some elements of
the product were missing. Most members of the group fully participated in
the creation of the product. |
Many elements of
the product were not included. Some members of the group did not participate
in the creation of the product. |
Conclusion
Hopefully by completing this section of the
Assistive Technologies Web Quest you have gained further insight on
the experiences, materials and software that are available for
individuals with visual and auditory disabilities. If you would like
more information related to these topics here is a list of some
additional helpful sites.
Credits & References
Access to Personal Computers using Speech
Synthesis (1992). RNIB new beacon. Retrieved October 3, 2005 from
http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/visugate/public_nbmay92.hcsp#P3_86.
Bryant, J. (2005). Rubric for proof
paragraphs. My Teacher Web. Retrieved October 14, 2005
from
http://teacherweb.com/CA/OliverWendellHolmes/MrBryant/hf0.stm.
Designing Accessible Curriculum (2005). How
adaptive technology works. Retrieved October 3, 2005 from
http://snow.utoronto.ca/prof_dev/ict/access/week1/adaptintro.html.
Disability Services (2004). Saginaw valley
state university. Retrieved October 14, 2005 from
http://www.svsu.edu/disabilityservices.
Based
on a template from The WebQuest Page
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