Bookshare, Author at Bookshare Blog

Published December 12, 2012

Bookshare Supports Computer Science Education

This week is Computer Science in Education Week. Congress set the week aside in the fall of 2009 “to recognize the transformative role of computing and the need to bolster computer science at all educational levels.” You can read more about the week and gather educator resources at the CSedweek website; the Computer Science Teachers Association website also has resources. Students with print disabilities can be computer scientists! Two Bookshare members with computer science degrees have shared their inspiring stories: A Computer Science Degree to a Job with Bookshare Bookshare Member Develops Amazing Flight Simulator Game for Blind People For members who…

Leave a Comment

Published December 5, 2012

Meet An Image Description Volunteer

Bookshare volunteer, Steven Obenour, lives in Jacksonville, FL. He currently supports the Poet image description project with a special focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) texts. Steven has worked more than 32 years in various technical occupations including manufacturing and process engineering, software development, and the robotics industry. Technical writing is always a big part of his work responsibilities. Steven continues to work in temporary and contract employment positions. He says the volunteer opportunities with Bookshare improve his creativity and writing skills. He enjoys setting daily goals and targets for completion of image descriptions and finds that even…

1 Comment

Published November 30, 2012

Indications of Improvements in Reading

From time to time, we receive indications of improvements in test scores of students who use Bookshare. To be clear, these improvements cannot and should not be attributed directly to the use of Bookshare because many factors contribute to scores. However, the improvements are encouraging signs that digital accessible text can make a difference. At the recent OSEP (Office of Special Education Programs) demonstration event at Toyon Elementary School in San Jose, California, special education teacher Tammy Irvine said, “We’re seeing results not just in their motivation and enjoyment of reading, but in their standardized test scores. While many factors…

Leave a Comment

Published November 13, 2012

Participate in International Education Week

Co-authored by Ray Myers, Ed.D., Office of Educational Technology and Betsy Beaumon, Vice President and General Manager, Benetech Literacy Program The Office of Educational Technology (OET) in the U.S. Department of Education has been an integral part of the International Education Week (IEW) sponsored by the Departments of Education and State beginning in November 2000, www.iew.state.gov. Now with expanded access to web-based social media resources, there are many more ways for individuals and organizations to participate in IEW activities across the globe during this week. In this year’s celebration over the week of November 12 – 16, 2012, we are…

2 Comments

Published October 31, 2012

A Book Series for, and about, Students with Learning Differences

Students with learning differences will enjoy this series of chapter books about Hank Zipzer, the world’s greatest underachiever. Through Hank’s everyday adventures, the series deals with learning differences in a kind and humorous way. The stories are inspired by the true life experiences of author Henry Winkler, first known for his starring role as the Fonz in Happy Days. There are 17 titles in the series and Bookshare has them all! The titles themselves give clues to the fun inside the books. Here are a few: Niagara Falls, or Does It? (#1) “He’s smart, creative and funny but writing a…

Leave a Comment

Published October 2, 2012

Understand Dyslexia in National Dyslexia Month

An adult with dyslexia watching the new HBO documentary “Journey into Dyslexia” suddenly began to understand a tremendous array of memories and emotions never understood before. The opening title screen with words artistically drawn at angles was reminiscent of how words can swim on the page for a dyslexic reader. He said, “I felt like when I read a book, I had to force the letters to stay in a consistent line across the page.” From those opening screens, the movie captures the frustration and isolation of being a dyslexic very well. According to the movie, 10% of the population…

2 Comments

Published September 14, 2012

It Takes a Village and This Is What It Looks Like

Key U.S. Department of Education officials, administrators, teachers, parents, and students all participating in an event showcasing one of the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs’ (OSEP) investments, and all seated together at a table, inspired Betsy Beaumon, Vice President and General Manager of the Literacy Program at Benetech to say, “It takes a village and this is what it looks like.” On September 11, 2012, the “village” at Toyon Elementary School in San Jose, CA, welcomed Melody Musgrove, the Director of the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), and Sue Swenson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Office…

1 Comment

Published August 31, 2012

A Big Thanks to 400 Dedicated Mentor Teachers!

Four hundred teachers have now signed up to be Mentor Teachers in their local schools and districts. These teachers, because they help others learn how to use accessible educational materials and get accessible education content to students with print disabilities in a timely manner, are key to the long-term education of many students in this country. We thank them for their efforts and congratulate them on their dedication. Depending on their schools, districts and schedules, Mentor Teachers have facilitated group and one-on-one trainings with teachers, parents and students on anything related to Bookshare. Others have developed online training tools and…

2 Comments

Published March 16, 2011

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated all around on March 17th, is an Irish holiday honoring Ireland’s patron saint of Ireland. We have very little factual information about him, and many tales made up by story tellers. Many customs are associated with St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. For example, why do we wear green and decorate with Shamrocks? Bookshare has lots of books about St. Patrick’s Day! Below is a sampling of a few of the titles with short excerpts from the book synopsis. There’s something for every age. Jeremy Bean’s St. Patrick’s Day by Alice Schertle. For very young children, this book…

Leave a Comment

Author: Bookshare