BuildAbility is another multimedia authoring program which can be used to promote early literacy. The program displays an easy to use toolbar. With this program the user can draw or choose a picture, add text, add a movie, add sound and select the page advancement.
An especially nice feature of BuildAbility is called “Drawmation”. This allows the user to replay each brushstroke they make on a page. This program also has an option for switch accessibility so children with physical disabilities can participate in activities. Once a story has been created it can be printed or saved to a disk to share with the family or classmates.
Review of BuildAbility
http://www.donjohnston.com
Encourage child to do some recordkeeping on variables related to their families. Children can keep track of how many brothers and sisters are represented by the whole class. How many live in town? In the country? How many have pets, and what kinds? Create a multimedia story of the findings. Post it on the school's web site.
Peek A Boo - Personalized version of 0-3 game
...coming soon!
BuildAbility System Requirements PDF
IntelliPics Studio from IntelliTools is another multimedia authoring program for children and teachers. The universal design makes the program accessible to all children, including those with disabilities. Interfaced with the IntelliKeys (an adaptive keyboard) children can use a mouse, switch, or the IntelliKeys to access stories created with IntelliPics Studio. Stories or activities may include animated scenes, talking text boxes, video clips, paint and draw options, digital photos, and recorded voices or sounds.
IntelliTools
http://www.intellitools.com
http://www.speechfun.com/intellitools.html
http://technoranger.alleonet.org/tutorials/FETC.html
http://www.ataccess.org/resource/atk12/bp/intellipics.html
http://www.connsensebulletin.com/intellistudio.html
Create a desktop that contains children's work from different classrooms. Children can explore their own creations as well as those of other classes. A printed copy can be made from each class. Children then can look at the printed books as they explore the authoring software on the desktop.
Backyard Animals (PDF) - Using digital photos can provide young children with meaningful activities.
Sensory Play Games (PDF) - Sensory integration activities for preschool children.
ITLC Online -- -- http://www.wiu.edu/itlc/
Copyright 2005. All Rights Reserved. Center for Best Practices in Early Childhood Education at Western Illinois University.