National Center for Technology Innovation
 

2009 Technology Expo

2009 NCTI Technology Innovators Conference
November 16-17, 2009 | Washington, DC | The Madison Hotel



Visitors to the Tech Expo experienced hands-on demonstrations of innovative learning and assistive technology products and had the opportunity to network with the developers and researchers. The Tech Expo showcased emerging and exciting technologies and research designed to improve learning outcomes for students with special needs. See the list of demonstrations.

Third Annual NCTI Peer Awards for Brightest Idea

Brightest Idea Award ImageCongratulations to the 2009 NCTI Peer Awards’ Brightest Idea award winners in learning and assistive technology! We are pleased to recognize the best and brightest developers of the next generation of technology development. The NCTI Peer Awards allow conference participants and visitors to vote for the tools showcased at the Tech Expo as the Brightest Idea in learning and assistive technology. Awardees are recognized at the conference and in future promotional materials.

2009 Brightest Ideas:

  • Introducing Any Text Sign Translation, by Adel S. Al Awami, also a Microsoft Imagine Cup 2009 Winner. See the YouTube video of the awards on Saudi TV.
  • Space Mission: Interactive Rehabilitation System by Guillermo Barrios Zacarías and Salvador Alfredo López Solís, also a Microsoft Imagine Cup 2009 Winner
  • Brain Actuated Technologies, Hands Free Frontier, by Andrew Junker, Jennifer Border, Jehangir Cooper, and Jim Leonard, also NCTI 2009 Tech in the Works winners.


Exhibitors

Click on an exhibitor name to view a description of project or select a display option below to view or hide all descriptions.

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  • Brain Actuated Technologies - Brightest Idea Award Winner

Presenters: Andrew Junker, Jennifer Border, Jehangir Cooper
Title: Hands Free Frontier (2009 NCTI Technology in the Works Awardee)

This exhibit will demonstrate how Neural Impulse Actuator (NIA) by OCZ Technology can facilitate communication and computer access by people with physical disabilities, specifically those who are locked-in. The NIA is a brain-computer interface that detects brain signal correlates that can be mapped to different computer functions.
Visit the Brain Actuated Technologies web site.

  • BrowseAloud

Presenter: Paul Quinn
Title: BrowseAloud — Making Websites Talk!

BrowseAloud was designed to adhere to the Section 508 accessibility standards and makes websites accessible to the 40% of the population who require reading support. This includes those with literacy difficulties, learning difficulties such as dyslexia, mild visual impairments and those with English as a second language. Visit the BrowseAloud web site.

  • CuriosityCan.com

Presenter: Matthew Baranauskas
Title: Designing with Difference: New Tools for Disabled Artists

This exhibit will display two concept tools: the Immersive Drawing Board and the Digital Collage Stamp. Both tools address difficulties many disabled artists face in their pursuit of creative expression. Each tool was inspired by unique opportunities presented within the context of impairments, but simultaneously appeal to a broader audience. Visit CuriosityCan.com.

  • Eugene Research Institute

Presenter: Tom Keating
Title: Innovations in Self-Management Software for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities

Picture Planner and the prototype Task Manager application represent innovative ways to augment personal organization and self-management for students with cognitive disabilities. Usability testing data will be presented that establish the intuitive nature of the interface as well as significantly increased usability after minimal instruction. Visit the Eugene Research Institute web site.

  • George Mason University

Presenters: Heidi J. Graff, Michael M. Behrmann, Michael J. Darden
Title: From Research to Market: The Path of a Technology Tool

After a successful study, what happens to a technology innovation? This presentation will focus on the research, practice, and ultimate dissemination of technological research to include the technology transfer process, the licensing of rights, and marketing options. Additionally, potential problems will be addressed and recommendations provided for a smooth transition.

  • Jigsaw Learning

Presenter: Christina Whalen
Title: Enhancing Student Motivation and Accelerating Acquisition for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders Using TeachTown: Basics

This exhibit will feature TeachTown: Basics, a computer-assisted intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other special needs. The exhibit will show how TeachTown: Basics can enhance child motivation, improve skill acquisition, reduce paperwork for teachers, and provide comprehensive reporting. Research on the product will be shown, including recent data from a clinical trial in a public school setting as part of the 2008 NCTI Technology in the Works award. Visit the Jigsaw Learning web site.

  • 2009 Microsoft Imagine Cup Winner, First Place in Accessibility - Brightest Idea Award Winner

Presenter: Adel S. AlAwami
Title: Introducing ATST

This presentation will showcase how ATST can be used to help students with hearing difficulties and impairments learn to read and write a spoken language, such as Arabic and English, and how it can help students communicate with others.

  • 2009 Microsoft Imagine Cup Winner, Second Place in Accessibility - Brightest Idea Award Winner

Presenters: Guillermo Barrios Zacarías, Salvador Alfredo López Solís
Title: Space Mission: Interactive Rehabilitation System

This presentation will demonstrate the effective use of technology to give people with disabilities access to information technologies and entertainment. It will show how Space Mission currently works: how sensors are adapted to the wheelchair, how the electronic parts connect to the Xbox 360, and how the videogame works. It will also mention the possible scenarios, in addition to rehabilitation, in which this project can be implemented.

  • Ohio State University Nisonger Center

Presenters: Amanda Yurick, Margo Vreeburg Izzo, Steve Jacobs
Title: Technology Tools to Prepare Students for the 21st Century Workforce

The E-Mentoring Program provides open-source assistive technology (AT) that allows students with disabilities to access an online transition curriculum and communicate with mentors. This exhibit will demonstrate students’ online transition portfolios, video testimonials from mentors and students, and the SmartDrive assistive technology applications.

  • Pearson

Presenters: Bob Dolan, Shelley Loving-Ryder
Title: Accessible Design of Innovative Assessment Items through Universal Design

This exhibit will demonstrate how universal design can inform the development of innovative, authentic computer-based assessments that test students more accurately and at greater depths of knowledge. Guidelines for applying Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to assessment will be shared, and exemplar innovative, interactive items will be shown. Visit the Pearson web site.

  • Serotek Corporation

Presenter: Ricky Enger, Janelle Schulenberg
Title: One-On-One for Anyone: Remove Barriers in Distance Learning

This presentation will describe how distance learning for students who are blind and those with low vision can be offered from anywhere and can bring more training to more students both efficiently and cost-effectively. It will also show how Serotek’s AE makes learning all-inclusive and welcome people who are blind, deaf, or deaf-blind into the classroom, meetings, and other collaborations in the classroom or around the world. Visit the Serotek Corporation web site.

  • Simmons College

Presenter: Madalaine Pugliese
Title: Developing Number Sense (2009 NCTI Technology in the Works Awardee)

This presentation will describe a project that investigates ways to use a software program addressing number sense that links differentiated instruction and skills practice with procedural understanding. It does so by combining electronic scaffolding with systematic corrective feedback in a universally designed environment. This targeted research analyzes whether the scaffolds for differentiated instruction successfully include learners with challenges in the curriculum practice activity.

  • Southeastern Louisiana University

Presenter: Becky Sue Parton
Title: An RFID-Based Interactive Vocabulary Building Environment for the Deaf

This exhibit will demonstrate a system to link physical objects to digital presentations by leveraging Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. The system was designed to introduce American Sign Language (ASL) vocabulary to young children who are deaf. Videos emphasize sign production and concept expansion. Clips from recent pilot studies will be shown.

  • Southgate Community Schools

Presenter: Megan Whitmore
Title: iPod Touches and Studywiz Spark Facilitating At-Risk Student Learning (2009 NCTI Technology in the Works Awardee)

This exhibit will display the experiences of a 4th grade classroom in which iPod Touches and Studywiz Spark enhance and individualize the language arts curriculum. The innovative application uses affordable, mobile technology with an online, teacher-managed learning space. Individualized instruction fosters independent learning conducive to improved learning outcomes.

  • SUNY Cortland

Presenter: Stephen Yang, John Foley
Title: Adaptable Video Games to Promote Physical Activity

This interactive exhibit will demonstrate different user interfaces that incorporate and promote physical activity and are based on the PlayStation 2 (PS2) platform. Using EyeToy Play, a small webcam that tracks a user’s movements, the user can become an on-screen action hero. Games are highly adaptable to the abilities and needs of the user.

  • TERC

Presenter: Judy Vesel
Title: How Signing Math and Science Dictionaries Support Deaf Learners

This exhibit will demonstrate how the SigningAvatar® accessibility software has been incorporated into Web-based and iPod versions of illustrated 3D science and mathematics dictionaries for pre-K through grade 8 learners who are deaf or hard of hearing. It will include excerpts of research findings and show a dictionary for older learners. Visit the TERC web site.

  • The AbleGamers Foundation, Inc.

Presenters: Mark C. Barlet, Michelle Hinn, Eric Write
Title: Interactive demo of Accessible Gaming Hardware

This interactive exhibit will show commercially available hardware and mainstream game titles working together. With well-designed games, many disabled people can deploy technology to allow them to participate and enjoy the gaming market, building friendships that mainstream, commercial game titles can easily forge. Visit the AbleGamers Foundation web site.

  • thereNow, LLC

Presenter: Thomas A. Shuster
Title: IRIS: The Classroom Observation & Feedback System

The IRIS system has two parts: a portable, remote site-based, video/audio device and a web application. IRIS enables remote observation, video recording, and feedback using text notes, video, and audio. IRIS is a secure, unobtrusive, and scalable tool that facilitates a wide range of observational tasks in schools. Visit the thereNow web site.

  • University of Oregon

Presenters: Bonnie Doren, Peter FitzGerald
Title: Using E-portfolios to Support Transition from School to Postschool Environments

This exhibit will demonstrate a preliminary version of an Electronic Transition Portfolio System that gives students with learning difficulties an interactive technology-based tool to (a) collect a systematic body of evidence to demonstrate academic and occupational standards, (b) promote self-directed learning and reflection, and (c) provide tools for postschool planning.

  • University of Rochester

Presenter: Jeffrey Bigham
Title: WebAnywhere: Providing Access Technology Anywhere (2009 NCTI Technology in the Works Awardee)

This exhibit will demonstrate the WebAnywhere screen reader, which provides access to the web from any computer, even locked-down public terminals. Since its release, students with a variety of disabilities have used WebAnywhere despite the existence of targeted alternatives. The exhibit will present research demonstrating this diversity and showcase enhancements to support these new users.

  • Utah State University, Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation

Presenters: Robert Morgan, Becky Morgan
Title: An Online, Video-Based Job Preference Assessment for Youth/Adults with Disabilities

Your Employment Selections (YES!), a web-based program for identifying job preferences for youth and adults with developmental disabilities, will be demonstrated. The program (www.yesjobsearch.com) presents video of up to 120 entry-level jobs and allows individuals with disabilities to select preferred ones. Additionally, the program assesses degree of match between skill profile and preferred jobs.

  • Vcom3D, Inc.

Presenter: Jason Hurdich
Title: Sign Smith Products Support Deaf and Hard of Hearing Learners

This presentation will demonstrate how easy it is to use SigningAvatar Technology to integrate sign language resources that help Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing children with their science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and literacy development. Using these tools in the classroom empowers the teacher and the student to overcome barriers to language acquisition and comprehension. Visit the Vcom3D web site.

  • VTree, Inc.

Presenter: Charles Bergen
Title: Revolution in Video Gaming for Special Needs

This exhibit will demonstrate a commercially available game that schools can use to teach confidence and other life skills. The social aspect of games will be shown, along with how, with the use of technology from a major videogame maker (EA Sports), students with and without disabilities can share experiences. Visit the VTree web site.

  • WETA Online Media

Presenters: Noel Gunther, Christian Lindstrom, Brian King
Title: WETA Learning Media: AdLit.org, BrainLine.org, ColorinColorado.org, LDOnLine.org, ReadingRockets.org

WETA Learning Media is home to five vibrant, multimedia web channels that provide research-based information about how to help children with disabilities learn and thrive. This exhibit will demonstrate how BrainLine.org, AdLit.org, ColorinColorado.org, LDOnLine.org, and ReadingRockets.org use a variety of web technologies—from interactive tools and video to Twitter and widgets—to deliver up-to-date and in-depth information to parents and educators.

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