Julie+Emmons

As budgets dwindle and costs for supplies and faculty are cut there is a need to find resources that are available for free or at a great discount. Fortunately, we can do this without the loss of quality, performance or innovation. As I began researching educational software for both art and special needs students I found a range of sites offering inexpensive and/ or open sourced software. Below you will find links to open source sites, graphics and photo software and some specific programs that use art to facilitate special needs education. ** Open Source Sites: ** Open Source Education Foundation: [|http://www.osef.org]/ OSWINS: [] School Forge: []

** Art Software: ** APTE, Digital Photo Activity Kit: [] Tux Paint: [|http://tuxpaint.org]/ ArtRage: []

** Autism and Special Needs Software: ** Computhera: [|http://www.computhera.com]/ Laureate Learning Systems: [|http://www.laureatelearning.com]/ Mouse Trail: [] Soft Touch: [|http://www.softtouch.com] APTE : This company provides a //Digital Photo Activity Kit// good for grades 2-7 that can be used on both MAC/WIN platforms. It is a bilingual photo-editing program that includes games “to sharpen visual thinking skills”. The program introduces digital imaging skills, editing skills and presentation skills. It can be integrated into a collaborative art lesson or used independently as a special incentive for students. The program was designed by educators and aligns with NCLB and ISTE standards. A single program costs $40.00. If you want to add more, for say a computer lab the price goes up. In the end, it is still on the lower end of pricing for art/photo/design software. [] Tux Paint: A free, Open Source, drawing program for preschool through sixth grade. It works on Mac OS X, Window 95 through Vista, Linux and other systems. Many of the reviews speak highly of this programs ability to introduce youngsters to the computer, allowing them to create visual imagery. I can see it being a useful tool within the context of a special needs classroom where literacy levels are lower and the use of pictures could aid in learning. The program includes sound effects and a mascot who helps guide children as they use the program. Again it is a free. [|http://tuxpaint.org] __ / __ Artrage: This is an illustration program for use on Mac OS X and Windows operating systems. It costs around $80.00 and is geared towards older students (grades 7-12) with more complex intentions and skill sets for making art on the computer. The reviews suggest using a drawing tablet to increase the flexibility of the tools. Though this would be a greater investment for the schools budget. It would also provide another teaching opportunity for the classroom. [|__http://www.artrage.com/index.html__] Computhera: A therapy program based around the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis. It aims to teach literacy to visual learners and children on the autism spectrum. “It allows clinics, teachers, and parents of children with autism and other developmental challenges to generate and report verbal behavior data as part of a step by step program to teach language skills and reading.” This program both teaches and measures a students expressive language skills. “It has been acknowledged by researchers as being one of the few computer programs currently available that address the literacy needs of students with disabilities (Stromer, R. & Vedora, J., 2007). Due to the technical nature of this program it is on the higher end of the cost spectrum, running around $250 for the classroom version. Platform compatibility? [|__http://www.computhera.com__]/ Laureate Learning Systems: Publishes programs for both Mac/Win Platforms. Laureate offers more than 50 computer programs for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), language impairments, developmental disabilities, Down syndrome, aphasia, and traumatic brain injury. The programs vary from early instructional games, syntax training, functional language to reading and spelling activities. An example of one of their programs is //The Creature Games,// an instructional game for individuals with severe disabilities (pre-K to adult). Emphasizing the concept of cause and effect, reinforce turn-taking and train single switch use. The cost is around $80.00 for one to four copies. __http://www.laureatelearning.com__

All of your software selected seems relatively reasonable in price. There are more expensive programs that I would love to have chosen, but keeping budget in mind and the lack of funding I tried my best to find the most effective and cheap programs possible. It seems that you had the same idea in mind. The programs geared towards children with autism seem very interesting. My mother worked with autistic children in schools and there was always a lack of programs for them to play with and manipulate. I love that you have found some and that they are not too expensive. Schools need to have more focus on children with special needs. - Maggie Bergant

I would be interested in more information on Computhera, as I have a grandson who has Asperger's Autism. What category does this program fall into? Is it drill and practice, simulation, tutorial, or instructional game? In what ways can you use this in the classroom? Are there any weaknesses with the program? I would love to be able to help him with his literacy, as it is one of the areas in which he struggles the most. ~ Mary