Cumann Ríomh-Oideachais na hÉireann | Voluntarily supporting ICT in Education since 1973

Special Educational Needs

Handwriting analysis for Dyslexia Detection using SmartPens / Using Intelligent Augmented Reality Software in the Classroom

Presented by: 
Scott O'Malley, Brett Lawless & Stephen Howell

Brett will demonstrate his classroom Augmented Reality Software which he is developing as part of his dissertation into creative interactive technologies. Using a normal PC, a webcam, a projector and a standard classroom whiteboard, Brett is pushing the boundaries of how intelligent image recognition software can interact with the educational process.

Brett Lawless is a final year Computing student in the Institute of Technology Tallaght.
He has a keen interest in creative interactive technologies and is developing classroom Augmented Reality software for his dissertation.
Scott O'Malley is a final year Computing student in the Institute of Technology Tallaght. He has a keen interest in creative interactive technologies and is developing Smartpen dyslexia detection software for his dissertation. A successful student who has experienced dyslexia himself, Scott hopes that the software for the Smartpen will allow at risk students be diagnosed and helped earlier by using the smartpen detection system.

Day/Time: 
Saturday, 11.30 - 12.00

“A lot learned, a lot more to learn…” The growing prospect of primary and post-primary school teachers using the Kurzweil 3000 Text to Speech tool in the 21st century.

Presented by: 
John Phayer

The purpose of this presentation depicts a study which explores primary and post primary teacher’s experiences of operating the Kurzweil 3000 program as part of an Information Communication Technology (I.C.T) in Special Educational Needs (S.E.N) programme. This course was delivered as part of a Continuing Professional Development programme in an Education Centre and a post primary school over two blocks of 5 weeks (i.e. 10 weeks in total). Fourteen out of twenty one teachers fully participated in the course and were also taught how to use other Assistive Technology programs.

John Phayer completed an M.A. in Education by Research in Mary Immaculate College under the supervision of Mr. Brendan Barry which explored the different types of Assistive Technology hardware and software used by third level Dyslexic students. In particular, John examined how these types of students use the Text to Speech application, TextHelp, in their studies. For a number of years, John has taught students with Dyslexia how to operate these types of applications as well as investigating how these programs address their difficulties. His interests include: how Reusable Learning Objects can be used more effectively in Education, ICT for Special Needs students as well as having an interest in all aspects of ICT in Education. John delivers ICT in SEN courses in many Education Centres as well as in third level colleges.
Contact Information: Name: John Phayer, email: johnphayer@yahoo.co.uk

Day/Time: 
Saturday, 12.10 - 12.40