| Consideration for: | Product 1: | Product 2: | Product 3: | Product 4: | Product 5: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name of product, type (app, extension, software, web page) and publisher or where obtained | WordQ (Free trial), application | Thunder, application | dictiaton.io, web application | ChromeVox, extension | Dragon Dictation Free, iOS application |
| Ease of Use: How easy is this tool to use or would be to train someone to use it? | This tool is very easy to learn and to train others to use. It is very simple in execution and only requires that a person be able to type characters and choose from a drop down list of predicted words. | This program very little user interaction to make it work. All a user has to do is interact with the computer and the application provides audio feedback. | This is very simple to use. It requires clicking one button and speaking. | This is very easy to install, merely adding an extension to Chrome. There is decent user documentation to help users but would require a helper since the training material is written. | This a very simple app to use. Click a button and talk and then click the button to stop. It would require very little training. |
| UDL: How could this tool reduce a barrier to learning? | This tool provides help to students with trouble writing, expressing thoughts, reading, dyslexia, and autism. It does this by lowering the barrier to written expression. | Thunder promotes greater engagement for people with vision impairment, allows them to better express themselves through typing by speaking each letter or word | This tool is useful in promoting expression. Learners with difficulty typing can speak to their computer and have their thoughts recorded. | ChromeVox helps learners with vision impairment access information and instruction on the internet. | This app helps users record their thoughts and distribute them. |
| Cognitive Load: Refers to whether students would be able to use it independently AFTER being taught or to use with a peer. | Since the tool has a simple interface and is not complicated it would be easy for a learner to use it after being taught to use it. | The usage of the program is functionally simple but requires touch typing. This is a skill that takes some time to develop so it would be difficult to use Thunder solo until that skill is developed. | The program is very simple and has one function so learners should have no problems using it solo. | This app would take a few time for a user to feel comfortable with the keyboard shortcuts. But after learning the shortcuts they would be able to use it solo. | Dragon Dictation is very easy to use and would not need extended training. Users would be able to use it solo after 1 to 2 very short sessions. |
| Integration with other programs. | This program integrates with browsers, MS Office, popular social media, Windows desktop and Mac desktop. | This program integrates with browsers, Outlook, Word, Windows desktop and Mac desktop. | This program does not explicitly interface with any other tool. But it does export the files for view in other applications. | As a browser extension it integrates with Google Chrome. | Dragon Dictation is an iOS app and integrates in iOS 9 the same way as other typical apps by allowing sharing of files. |
| Presentation: How is the tool presented? Explain the layout of the tool. | As a learner types a small pop-up window appears containing suggestions for completing the word. The suggestions are based on the spelling of the word being typed and on context in the document. Learners are able to select the suggestion to use based on a number next to the suggestion. | The layout is invisible. It makes a thunderclap sound when the computer boots but after that there is not any visual feedback, only audio feedback. | The tool looks like a piece of paper. There is a menu bar at the top with additional information and three buttons on the "paper". The buttons start/stop recording, clear the recording, and save the recording | Since this app is for user with visual impairments it does not have a visual interface (beyond settings). It does provide audio feedback to the user. | The app is very simple. There is a blank screen and a record button. While recording there are indicators that speech is being recorded. After the recording is topped a screen appears with the written content. |
| Options for individuals (types of disabilities/diversity) and what would you have to do to teach someone with a disability how to use it. | This application is designed for learners with learning disabilities and physical disabilities. The app requires device input so each learner would have to be taught how to input data on a device. | The application works for anyone with visual impairments but would also be helpful for anyone who needs additional feedback concerning actions on a computer. There is little to no instruction required for the app. | This tool is focused on helping people with motor difficulties and learning disabilities. Those with motor difficulties would need help learning how to start and top the dictation. | This application is for internet users who need audio feedback while surfing the web. Training would consist of teaching the users the keyboard shortcuts. | This app is designed for users with difficulty typing, which could include people with motor difficulties and learning disabilities. |
| Comments or Concerns | This application seems like given for any assistive technology toolbox. It is helpful for multiple categories of disabilities and matches well to UDL. The biggest concern is that it is not free after the trial and this application category is littered with dead companies and the product may not have longevity. | This application is a bit old and the web page has not been updated in a while so there is concern that it is abandonware or could become so in the near future. | This is a useful app but very limited. For its purpose it is excellent but there are better (not free) apps that do the same thing. | This app is perfect for Chrome users but would require additional resources for other parts of a computer or browsers. | This app is limited by being on a closed platform. It also has limited functionality compared to other options. |