| Looking
up the meaning and spelling of words can be a cumbersome yet necessary task. Technology
can make it easier. Electronic devices are increasingly found in classrooms to
help kids practice what they know. Kids with disabilities often benefit from their
use in becoming more independent. Portable Reference DevicesStudents
may experience difficulty getting to reference materials and using them. Hand
held electronic talking (dictionary/thesaurus) devices are available to aid vocabulary
development. The Franklin website offers a range of reference devices. A couple
of classroom favorites are listed below: Scanners are hand held devices that allow you to scan
a single word or phrase and hear it spoken or look up its meaning.
 Reading
Pen: is designed for people with reading or learning disabilities,
such as dyslexia. It is also useful for people who are learning English,
or want the convenience of having a dictionary at their fingertips. Scan
a word or line of text, hear the spoken English of the scanned text and
its definition, and view the definition on the Pen.
Software Ultimate
Talking Dictionary (Win only)
Online References There
are several reference aids (dictionaries, thesaurus, encyclopedias) on the Internet
that can provide improved access to students with disabilities:
Columbia
Encyclopedia
Dictionary.com Encarta
Online (Free abridged service) Encyclopedia
Britannica iTools Library
of Congress Library
Spot Merriam-Webster
Online (talking dictionary service optional) Reference
Desk Roget's
Thesaurus Word
Central Student Dictionary (includes Mad Libs) Visual
Thesaurus | 
