Converting a page in the curriculum guide to Kurzweil

Now that the curriculum guides are in a digital form in the MCPS curriculum archives, it's easy to convert a page from the digital .pdf of the instructional guide to Kurzweil. Students can then use Kurzweil to read text selections from the instructional guide or fill in worksheet from the instructional guide. ( If you want to convert multiple pages, indicate the "print range" on the "print" window.)

Click on the link below to view the short video which demonstrates how to convert a page in the curriculum guide to Kurzweil.

video

SOLO passwords

Question: 
What are the passwords for SOLO?

Answer:
See this quick guide

New rules for passwords on Bookshare.org (Updated)

Bookshare no longer requires that you have a download password that is different from your account password.  You will no longer be asked for a password when unzipping a downloaded file.

If you are unable to unzip a file that you previously downloaded from Bookshare, then it might be because you downloaded that book at a time when the download password was required.  Download the book again  from the Bookshare website.

Using MS Word 2007 Smart Shapes to create prewriting graphic organizers

Often students need additional, customized support to help them organize their ideas prior to beginning a writing assignment.

Here's a video link that will step you through making prewriting graphic organizers using Smart Shapes in MSWord 2007.
Video


If you want a paper handout, here is a HIAT Quick Guide
QuickGuide

Adding students to Bookshare

Question:
I finallly registered teachers as sponsors in Bookshare. Do I add the members (students) or let the teachers add them?

Answer:
You can do this either way, but if the teachers are going to add them, then you have to explain to all the teachers how to add the kids online. That might take up the same amount of time as adding them yourself!

Another thing to consider is that you have to notify the ITSS of all the kids who are added so they can have access to the Copyrighted Text folder on your network. Decide on a way that works best logistically in your school. The ITSS needs the kids names, grades, and login ids.

How do you handle this at your school?

Adding members and sponsors to Bookshare

Question:
I want to add new members and sponsors. Just give me a quick review. Do I use the template I received when I took the Bookshare class and upload it?

Answer:
I saw that Bookshare now has a simpler way to add kids and teachers. You can just click to get a popup window and add them one at a time. If you have a longer list to add, you can still use the spreadsheet if you prefer, but you might try the pop-up window way for one or two additions, just to make sure your account is active and working.

1. Log into your Bookshare account at http://bookshare.org/
2. Click on My Organization
3. Click on either Members or Sponsors
4. Then click the orange “Add a …” button and fill in the requested information

Using PDF files with Kurzweil 3000

Question:
Can you please tell me how to put Adobe PDF files into Kurzweil 3000?

Answer:

1. Go to the computer that has the professional scan version of Kurzweil installed.
2. Open the Adobe file in Adobe Reader.
3. Print the file – choose the printer “Kesi virtual printer” (if the file is many pages, just print the pages that you need)
4. It will take a few seconds for the document to process, so wait and watch for Kurzweil to open with the file loaded
5. Save the file as a KESI file
6. You will probably have to clean up the file for it to read correctly, depending on how complicated the layout was. See the section “Editing Your Document After Scanning” in this Quick Guide