Professional Development Training
Kurzweil 3000

Using Data to Inform Instruction for All Learners:
An Introduction to Kurzweil 3000

September 24, 2007
Federal Street School,
8:00 PM-4:00 PM

Instructor: Beth Dichter (bdichter@verizon.net)
Technology Integration Specialist, Northampton High School

Assisted by: Carol S. Holzberg, PhD (carhol1@gpsk12.org)
District Technology Coordinator
Greenfield Public Schools

Brief Description of the Workshop:
Kurzweil 3000 provides computer-based assistance in reading, writing and learning to students at all levels and abilities. It offers several tools to help with reading fluency, decoding and self-editing. The software can access information in print (via scanning), Web, and electronic formats. Plus, it has a text-to speech reader to strengthen study skills. MA DOE chose Kurzweil 3000 as an approved accommodation for MCAS. Students in Grades 6-8 and 10, who work with Kurzweil 3000 in the classroom, as specified in their Individual Education Plan (IEP), can use the technology as an accommodation when taking their grade-specific MCAS tests. The program makes it possible for students to take tests independently. This workshop will present an overview of Kurzweil 3000 and provide hands-on opportunities for teachers to explore many program features. Discussion will focus on using the software to assist diverse learners (including those with learning difficulties, ADHD, ADD, and dyslexia, and those designated as ELL).

Resources of interest:

Kurzweil 3000, Resourses from Indiana University, University Information Technology Services, Adaptive Technology Centers (http://www.indiana.edu/~iuadapts/technology/software/k3000/index.html)

Kurzweil 3000 User Guide
Prepared by Indiana University, University Information Technology Services, Adaptive Technology Centers (http://www.indiana.edu/~iuadapts/technology/software/k3000/kurzweil_guide.html). Or, download a Microsoft Word formatted copy of the User Guide from the GPSK12 Web site.

Kurzweil Training and Tutorial CD
The staff at the ATC (Indiana University's Adaptive Technology Center) has created Kurzweil 3000, v10 training CDs consisting of short videos designed to help users with the program.

Training topics include:

• Basic Features
• Study Skills Features
• Internet Features
• Advanced Features
• Scanning in Kurzweil

Kurzweil 3000 version 10 Training CD 1 (http://www.indiana.edu/~iuadapts/technology/software/k3000/K3V10CD1.iso)

Kurzweil 3000 version 10 Training CD 2(http://www.indiana.edu/~iuadapts/technology/software/k3000/K3V10CD2.iso)

Kurzweil 3000 is produced by Kurzweil Educational Systems (http://www.kurzweiledu.com/).

Kurzweil 3000 for Windows Version 10 How-To Videos (http://www.kurzweiledu.com/howto.aspx)
Available for viewing in Windows Media (wmv) format on PCs running Windows Media, v9 or later.

• Overview of Kurzweil 3000 Commands and Toolbars (http://www.kurzweiledu.com/files/WorkwithKurzweil3000-TheBasics.wmv)
• Reading in Kurzweil 3000 and Customized Reading Preferences (http://www.kurzweiledu.com/files/ChangeReadingOptions.wmv)
• Creating an Outline in Kurzweil 3000 (http://www.kurzweiledu.com/files/CreateanOutline.wmv)
• Study Skills Toolbars' Sticky and Text Note Creation (http://www.kurzweiledu.com/files/CreateStickyNotesandTextNotes.wmv)
• Looking up Words in Kurzweil 3000 (http://www.kurzweiledu.com/files/LookUpaWord.wmv)
• Use of Highlighters in Studying (http://www.kurzweiledu.com/files/UseColorHighlighterstoStudy.wmv)
• Prepare a Multiple Choice Test (http://www.kurzweiledu.com/files/PrepareaTestDocument.wmv)
• Using Kurzweil 3000 to Answer Multiple Choice Tests (http://www.kurzweiledu.com/files/HighlightandCircleTestAnswers.wmv)
• Using Kurzweil 3000 to Answer Fill-in-the-Blanks Tests (http://www.kurzweiledu.com/files/WorkwithaFillintheBlanksTest.wmv)
• Learn How to Show or Hide Toolbars (http://www.kurzweiledu.com/files/ShoworHideToolbars.wmv)

Kurzweil 3000 Supports Universal Design for Learning (http://www.kurzweiledu.com/files/udl.pdf). Describes how K3000 supports students with a wide range of abilities by faciliating multiple means of representation, expression, and engagement.

Kurzweil 3000: Special Education Technology-British Columbia Trainer of Trainers Program (2003) (http://www.setbc.org/setbc/topics/topics_kurz_mb.html#top). Note: These training materials were created for use with Kurzweil 3000, v8. The current version for Kurzweil 3000 is v10. Therefore, some SET-BC videos may not be 100% applicable to v10. Overall the SET-BC site has useful Kurzweil 3000 resources, plus lots of links and resources of interest to teachers of students with special abilities.

Overview of features and classroom uses of Kurzweil 3000

• Kurzweil 3000: SET-BC Trainer of Trainers Package - Download PDF (2.3 Mb)
• Kurzweil Practice Activities - Download PDF (140 Kb)
• Practice Activity File: Botany - Download Kurzweil File (73 Kb)
• Practice Activity File: Titanic - Download Kurzweil File (6.5 Mb)
• Kurzweil Workshop Planning Guide - Download PDF (148 Kb)

Video Demonstrations available for viewing directly from the SET-BC Web site

• Section 1 - Launching Kurzweil, User Accounts & Tip of the Day - View Demo (1:48 min)
• Section 2 - The Kurzweil Window - View Demo (2:31 min)
• Section 3 - Customizing Kurzweil Toolbars & Toolbar Sets - View Demo (2:42 min)
• Section 4 - Four Ways to Access Kurzweil Tools - View Demo (2:12 min)
• Section 5a - Scanning Single & Multiple Pages - View Demo (2:21 min)
• Section 5b - Reordering Scanned Pages - View Demo (2:04 min)
• Section 5c - Setting Scanning Options - View Demo (3:14 min)
• Section 6 - Using the Zone Editor - View Demo (3:21 min)
• Section 7 - Correcting the OCR - View Demo (3:02 min)
• Section 8 - Importing Documents into Kurzweil - View Demo (4:40 min)
• Section 9 - Reading Documents - View Demo (5:53 min)
• Section 10 - Using Kurzweil Reference Tools - View Demo (2:57 min)
• Section 11 - Using Kurzweil Highlighting Tools - View Demo (3:29 min)
• Section 12a - Adding, Deleting & Moving Notes - View Demo (4:10 min)
• Section 12b - Special Features of Notes - View Demo (3:05 min)
• Section 13 - Using Bookmarks - View Demo (2:50 min)
• Section 14 - Writing with Kurzweil - View Demo (5:07 min)
• Section 15 - Using Kurzweil with Forms, Worksheets & Tests - View Demo (3:47 min)

Assistive Technology Training Online Project (ATTO), SUNY Buffalo, School of Public Health and Health Professions (http://atto.buffalo.edu/), has links and resources for use with elementary school students:

• AT (Assistive Technology) Basics
• AT Decision Making
• Tutorials on Using Specific Hardware and Software, including
• Links to National AT Organizations, projects and listservs

Some resources describe older versions of products currently available and are thus a bit dated regarding specifics but the general descriptions still apply, especially the site's description of how to use program features in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.

Supports Lists: Tools and Strategies to Support Access to Standards-Based Learning for Diverse Learners (December 9, 2002), Compiled by Boston Public Schools Access Technology (ATC) formerly Special Education Technology Center, available for downloading from http://www.boston.k12.ma.us/teach/technology/emmanuel/SupportsList.pdf

Topics covered include:

• Classroom Management
• Communication
• Comprehending, Composing, and Organizing
• Mechanics of Writing
• Numeracy
• Physical and/or Cognitive Access
• Reading/Decoding Access
• Student Self-Management
• Technology Management
• Visual Access (Low Vision to Blind
• Contributors & References
• Resources

Page last updated: September 24, 2007

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