Research Latest Technology Devices Assignment – April 14
Dianne Wall
While going through the latest subscription of Tech & Learning, I saw an interesting article by Sascha Zuger called,
“Assistive Tech: May We Help You?” I decided to do further research on VizZle and my results are found below.
Ms. Courtney Monastra of Highland Local Schools in Ohio works with autistic children. She states in the article that
many parents do not realize the wonderful potential in their autistic children because of the communication barrier.
‘“Their levels are so different: One isn’t verbal; one talks all the time, but his skills are lower. It’s been the first thing they
can do together. We can practice taking turns using the electronic pen.”’ [http://www.techlearning.com/article/37832]
As a result, Ms. Monastra uses a web-based resource ‘“that teaching teams can access through shared student folders
and tracked assessment data.”’ [http://www.techlearning.com/article/37832]. It is called VizZle.
According to the article, VizZles also organizes lessons, load IEPs for tracking data, launches lessons, and creates
playlists. Thousands upon thousands of VizZle images, sound bites, and video clips can be previewed. It is important to
note that many depictions of ideas are unique to VizZle.
Teachers can create and edit books, games, interactive storybooks, token boards, timers, matching boards, first-then
boards, and “Expression Builders”. There is also the option to use templates. All lessons can be customized or created
from scratch using what is in the vast library. Text-to-Speech can even be created with just one click. Individualized
content can be made with ease and timeliness. Further, all interactive lesson formats can be printed out.
The shared user library provides the convenience of searching through pre-made, peer-reviewed lessons by subject,
lesson type, grade level and their creator’s email. Teachers are able to save these lessons to folders in their personal
workspace for playback.
It saves time when teachers can see and use what other Intervention Specialists, SLP, OTs, and parents have created.
Lesson plans contain rich visuals, embedded video, and audio.
Prepositions interactive book
This 15 page book has popup quizzes on each page
(inset) to test comprehension of each concept and has
text-to-speech audio so nonreaders can access the
learning independently.
Coin Activities print activity
Print activity with multiple uses supports a
myriad of interactive lessons on coins and
money (in matching exercises and books).
Excellent examples include The Money Book and
Coin Identification.
Identical Letter Match matching activity
26 interactive quizzes using environmental letters to
reinforce learning from The Alphabet Book.
What Is Dirty? interactive book
12 Page book uses popups featuring favorite
characters to reinforce concepts and popup quizzes
(pictured inset) to immediately test for
comprehension of concepts. It’s the first in a series of
books about self-care and proper hygiene. The books
have supporting matching and print
The benefits for using VizZle is that it is designed to be easy to learn and easy to use. There is also free training and
support available to all users. Since it is web-based, there is access to lessons, supports, and images from any computer
connected to the web. VizZle updates automatically so that users have access to every upgrade and new features
immediately. Teachers, parents, and therapists are able to use hundreds of peer-reviewed lessons in every academic
subject and therapeutic discipline. Apparently students like this product. After all, “Higher engagement leads to better
outcomes.” [http://www.techlearning.com/article/37832]
VizZle is a web-based subscription service based on annual licensing and pricing depends on usage.
Resources:
http://www.monarchteachtech.com/vizzle/
http://www.techlearning.com/article/37832