ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY BLOG | INVENTIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

The excitement continues to mount as we move towards the October 2-3,2008 IQ Visual Mapping Conference to be held in Morristown, NJ. I am very happy to share with you that Michael Scherotter who is well known to the Mindjet Community has agreed to speak. Michael was the force behind Mindjet Labs when he was working at Mindjet and was an active member of the mind mapping community. Michael is is currently an Evangelist with Microsoft Corporation. As part of Microsoft’s Communications Sector evangelism team, Michael focuses on enterprise development tools and technologies for telecommunications, web hosting, and media & entertainment companies. Educated as an architect with both a Bachelors of Architecture and Masters of Architecture specializing in design tool development, Michael brings a sense of creativity and design to synergistic software development. Throughout his 13-year career in software development, Michael has specialized in combining software in innovative ways. You can read up about what Michael is up to at his blog called the Synergist.

Also check out Michael's blog post about the conference, I know that you will enjoy it. Hope to see you at the conference!

I thought it would be a good idea to share with you information about the the IQ Visual Mapping Conference by using a mind map. What better way to convey information about the speakers and their bio's, then to export it to a mind map! In the process, I had the opportunity to use aHa!Visual Web Export which is a MindManager add-in from aHa!Coaching in the Netherlands. The aHa!Visual web export allows you to publish the results of a brainstorm or strategy session in the same visual map format the participants saw on their computers without the need for any other plug-in or viewers. Using a standard browser you can view your map complete with attachments and notes. I found using aHa!Visual Web Export to be be very easy and straight forward. Once aHa!Visual Web Export is installed you simply click on the Export tab and Select Export as Web Pages. (View the Process by Clicking here.) At this point you will see that you have a new export template call aHa!Visual Web Template. You simply select the aHa!Visual Web Export template, select where you want the output files to be stored and click OK. Once the process is complete you can view your map in your default browser. The mind map is interactive and you can click on the topics as well as the embedded documents and attachments to view the contents. To view it on the web just use your favorite FTP program to upload the files on your server and you are ready to go. After uploading the files I was able to view the map. I do wish that the mind map could appear bigger on the screen and that you could open and close the nodes as you would when using MindManager 7 application- but overall I was very satisfied with the ease of the the process and how aHa!Visual Web Export worked. This really was very easy to do! You can view the mind map on the web by clicking here.

Sometime ago, I did a screencast showing you how I use SnagIt with MindManager to add images to your mind maps. Since TechSmith recently released SnagIt 9 along with the MindManager Plug-in, I thought that it would be a good idea to show you just how you can effortlessly add images to your mind maps. In this screencast you can see just how easy it is to capture images and send them directly to MindManager 7. You can click on this link or on the image to see the screencast. Enjoy

A couple of days ago I had mentioned that I came across a screen sharing application called Crossloop and just yesterday evening, I finally got a chance to work with it with my colleague Wallace Tait. Both of us were talking over Skype and decided that we wanted to take a look at how JCVGantt worked with MindManager in preparation for the IQ Visual Mapping Conference that is planned for October 2-3, 2008. We both started up Crossloop and exchanged our access keys that we entered into the Crossloop widget. In a matter of seconds we were connected and a dialog box popped up asking for permission to share each other computer screens. Once I clicked on the OK button I was able to see Wallace's screen and I could control his computer as if I was looking over his shoulder. The screen was very clear and there was no noticeable delay when I was moving icons or double clicking on applications to start them up. Since Wallace could also use the mouse as well, there were times when we would both try to do something and realize that we had to wait for the other person to relinquish control of the mouse. Other than that it was easy to go back and forth with sharing our screens by clicking on control icons that I would consider to be a very easy and intuitive to learn how to use. Crossloop is a free tool for Window's users that would be ideal for one on one webinars and for doing remote support. Using this technology both computers would need to have Crossloop client installed. Once installed it is very easy to use to get your session started. Download Crossloop and let me know how you successfully used it in the work that you do. If you are looking for training in the comfort of your home or office, over the web, in the area of assistive technology, visual mindmapping, or project planning- shoot me an email and I will let you know how we can get started.

Happy Birthday to Jing Project which celebrated its first year in production. I have used Jing in my courses and continue to use it for quick video tutorials. Techsmith in honor of its first year birthday has double the amount of storage and bandwidth on Screencast. So now you automatically get 2 GB of storage space to store all of your Jing screencasts. What a great deal! It looks as if there will be some premium services built around Jing in the coming months based on the email that I received. So go enjoy your new found freedom to create more Jing projects!

I have written a great deal during the past year about the PersonalBrain and I am glad to announce that PersonalBrain 4.5 was released today with a slew of new features. Here are are new features that you will find in the PersonalBrian 4.5:

PersonalBrain 4.5 helps people mind map their Thoughts, ideas and information with new visualization, searching and editing features. New features include:

• Increased Performance - PersonalBrain's dynamic user interface enables one to visually navigate related information. All operations are now faster, from loading to creating information and navigation is up to 30 times faster. This increased speed opens up the ability to easily create Brains with hundreds of thousands of Thoughts.

• Advanced Search and Indexing - PersonalBrain features a powerful search that lets users shift focus to anything that comes to mind in seconds. Live search results appear as users type, prioritized based on usage data. Version 4.5 intelligently interprets requests so the initials of a person can be used instead of their full name for example.

• Superior Distant Thought View (http://www.thebrain.com/site/video/pbViews.html) - PersonalBrain's exclusive display engine makes it a powerful visualization tool for concept and mind mapping. The engine continues to evolve in version 4.5 with an optimized view of second generation Thoughts for easier reading and an even more intuitive visual browser.

• Merging Brains and Copying Thoughts - Users can now easily merge the contents of one Brain into another and use sophisticated copying functions to leverage a set of Thoughts and relationships in different contexts.

• Excel and Word Relationship Import (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jV533xqxQl4) - Information structures from Word, Excel and other applications can now be imported into PersonalBrain. Outlines constructed outside of PersonalBrain are easy to import and are automatically visualized. The imported structures can be left as is or leveraged with the sophisticated tools available in PersonalBrain. Conversely, information can also be exported back out of PersonalBrain just as easily.

• Complete Undo and Redo Editing - PersonalBrain's intuitive drag and relate technology lets users create and link numerous ideas and Thoughts in seconds. Now with complete undo and redo capabilities, users can make connections even faster. If a change is made and then reconsidered the multiple level undo buffer makes going back a one step process.

Pricing and Availability

PersonalBrain 4.5 is a complimentary upgrade for all registered PersonalBrain 4.0 users. PersonalBrain is offered in three editions: Free, Core, and Pro (the most powerful edition). PersonalBrain Free is offered at no charge and does not expire. Download your PersonalBrain at http://www.thebrain.com/download. (http://www.thebrain.com/download) Using the free edition anyone can link unlimited ideas, notes and Web information on their desktops. Pro and Core editions are priced as follows: PersonalBrain Pro $249.95, PersonalBrain Core $149.95.

PersonalBrain 4 is compatible with Windows XP, Vista, Linux, and Mac OS X.

Awarding Winning Technical Support

If you have not experienced the PersonalBrain you really owe it to yourself! Here is a link to the Press Release.

I had the pleasure today of interviewing Shelley Hayduck from Brain Technologies, the developer of the PersonalBrain and BrainEKP. During the interview I had the opportunity to ask Shelley about the PersonalBrain and how it is being used to help solve real world problems. The PersonalBrain is a very unique software application that is ideal for information and knowledge management. The underlying technology allows you to create linkages to your thoughts, files, folders, and URL's in a very quick searchable database. If you would like to try out the PersonalBrain just go to their website and download the free version. I hope you enjoy this interview!

If you are interested in meeting Shelley, she will be presenting at the IQ Visual Mapping Conference on October 2-3, 2008. If you are a PersonalBrain user then please consider attending the conference, and who knows maybe there will be some new announcements:-)

For the past couple of months I have been actively engaged working on the INCLUDE Grant which focuses on improving math instruction and math achievement in grades 5-7. The school districts that won the competitive grants were able to purchase computers, interactive whiteboards, software, as well as extensive training in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and its implementation in the classroom. All of the districts that I have worked with have also had professional development from math educators with extensive classroom experience. I have the opportunity to work with the teachers on UDL Theory and practice in the classroom as well as teaching them how to use scan and read technologies as required by the grant. While I was training last week with my colleague Roz, she showed me the Draggable Math site which really blew me away. It is incredible to think of all the fantastic websites that allow students to show us what they know which was once the province of commercial software. The Draggable Math website lets students solve addition, subtraction, multiplication and division problems by dragging numbers from the side panel to the worksheet grid. Students are able to show all of their work as if they did it with pencil and paper. When I first saw the application on the web site it reminded me of Mathpad from Intellitools. Draggable Math is a wonderful web site for students who have poor fine motor control and need to work on their computation skills. Draggable Math allows students to show all of their work as if they were solving it with pencil and paper. Take a look at the site and I'm sure you will be as impressed as I was when I was introduced to it. Enjoy!

For all of your Twitter users you will be happy to hear that Twitter has acquired Summize a search engine which lets you search through Twitter for key words. I have been using it to track certain keywords that others are twittering about to keep up with the conversations. Try it and let me know what you think. I have found the Twitter Search engine to be very quick and returns very relevant twitter posts. Give it a try when you have the chance.

INTELLIGENT VISUAL MAPPING CONFERENCE:

October 2^nd and 3^rd 2008

AT:

COLLEGE of ST ELIZABETH, MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY

·Become a more visually-oriented systems thinker, decision maker and problem solver.

· Increase your worth value to your clients, colleagues and employer.

· Take your information management strategies to a higher level of effectiveness.

· Streamline your business processes and procedures, becoming lean and effective.

· Discover how to develop a comprehensive and effective marketing plan utilizing visual mapping.

· Network with and learn best practices from visual mapping thought leaders.

· Realize your information management potential and conquer information inertia.

· Become a superior business manager who can utilize and integrate linear and non-linear information.

· Understand the monetized value of your business information economy.

IF YOU DON’T WANT TO EXPERIENCE THIS SUCCESS:

DON’T REGISTER AT: https://www.regonline.com/checkin.asp?eventid=608611

I recently came across a free screensharing tool called Crossloop that lets you share your computer screen and take control of the other person's computer. I am interested in trying it out with someone to see how well it works. To get started you need to download a free copy of Crossloop from their website. It was easy to download and install. Once you have it downloaded shoot me an email so we can see how well it works.

Since January, I have been creating the Tips 'n Tricks Screencasts for the Mindjet Connections Newsletter which has been a great deal of fun. Using Camtasia Studio 5.1 I craft each screencast which are then shared on the Mindjet website. If you have missed any of them I am happy to share with you that Gaelen from Mindjet was kind enough to upload them to YouTube- just in case you missed any. Here are the links:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qkd5TDRcQS4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDPJgodMCyc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4xDvByhCjU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfYJJo9TA4Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5K1uYDz7jo

So enjoy!

If there was a trend at this years NECC 2008 Conference it was small was in. In fact between the ASUS and HP Mini notebook computers there was a great deal of talk about the size, portability and functionality. Not to be left out of the fray Samsung was showing off one of their small LED data projectors which was able to cast off a very bright image (can throw a 30- 40 inch diagonal) despite the fact that it is rated at 150 lumens. The Samsung P400 Projector is very small and light weight (1.9 pounds) and produced very saturated colors. The Samsung P400 Projector would be ideal for a small classroom or for someone who travels doing training. What is really nice is the Samsung P400 Projector uses LED technology so that there is no bulb to be concerned about. The Samsung P400 Projector can be purchased for around $650 dollars.

Thanks for all of your interest in the upcoming October 2-3, 2008 Intelligent Visual Mapping Conference to be held in the Greater New York City Area. What better way to express to you why you should attend the conference then by putting the reasons in a visual mind map. I would like to thanks two of my presenters Wallace Tait and Chuck Frey for putting this together.




If you have been thinking about attending the conference now is the time to register to take advantage of the Early Bird Registration discounts. At this time we have firm commitments from TPAssist 2007, Mindjet, CS Odessa, PersonalBrain, and Simetech that they will be exhibiting as well as presenting on their products and solutions. It is going to be a wonderful conference- so stay tuned for some really exciting announcements in the next couple of weeks.

Three days at NECC. I spent the last three days at NECC, looking at new technologies, new software and new hardware. Educators have lots to be excited about. HP and Asus were showing off their mini laptops which were both small in stature and price. The exhibition hall was filled with companies tauting their interactive whiteboards and the impact it will have on learning in the classroom. Both Smart and Promethian had some of the largest booths on the floor and had many teachers doing live demonstrations. Mimio was also there showing off their latest release of MimioStudio 6 and the release of the Mimio Pad, a hand held portable tablet. Many of the vendors were demonstrating various response systems and there is definitely a move towards a totally digital classroom. The digital classroom would include an interactive whiteboard, data projector, response system, document camera, and a audio sound field system. Of course Web 2.0 and collaboration was another key trend. Software as a service is here to stay and there were many companies who were showing off their software applications that are hosted solutions right through the browser. Crick Software was demonstrating Write Online and FTC Publishing was demoing WriteIt Live. With Hyperstudio back there seemed to be excitement about multimedia and project based learning. Adobe was showing off their creative tools and showing off Adobe Acrobat 9, which has some very strong multimedia features. It is now possible to embed a Flash video and create a Portfolio of individual PDF's which can be viewed with Adobe Acrobat Reader. Adobe was also demonstrating Adobe Acrobat website which gives you data storage, Buzzword, and Sharing capabilities. Acrobat.com is a wonderful website and one each and every teacher should set up immediately. Acorbat.com holds much promise for collaboration and all of the tools are free.

I have to tell you that it was quite a thrill for me to spend my lunchtime one on one with Roger Wagner of Hyperstudio. I can remember the first time I met Roger in New Jersey as he was showing off Hyperstudio running on an Apple IIGS. If you have been around educational technology as I have, then you know that Hyperstudio was one of those rare applications that inspired all of us in the early days to think about how multimedia could be used to enhance, engage and teach students about subject matter. Hyperstudio which was owned by several companies in the past couple of years withered on the vine, until now when MacKiev Software purchased the rights to it. With Roger Wagner back and MacKiev Software they have brought back the excitement of the program with a fresh look to it running on Macintosh OSX. I had the opportunity to sit through a presentation and was excited to see that the metaphor of cards and stacks still has been maintained. Looking at the projects that middle school students had completed with Hyperstudio reminded me why this program was so popular and adored by all educators. Having Roger back and giving the software team direction will result in one of the best iterations of Hyperstudio in some time. I hope to do a full review when it is available for testing. In the interim I for one can't wait to use Hyperstudio on my MacBook when it is released. And Roger, thanks for sharing your lunchtime with me- it was a real honor.