Eyes Relax

by recesstec Special Needs tips writing

Sunday Sit, Sip, and “Sync” ~ 3-18-2012

Hours of staring at a computer monitor has its downfall.

“Eyes Relax” is a free download that can help solve our tendency to “hyper-focus”. It was developed by “Mech” out of Portland, Oregon as a personal utility tool. He is a software programmer and felt the need for a tool that would remind (force) him to take the breaks he knew were necessary. The comments, both on the homepage, and on his blog, will validate the usefulness of this download, as well as its security.

I have downloaded and tried other programs, and this one, by far, is the easiest and least intrusive.

Another application, in addition to the benefits to our personal health, would be its use with children. An option to generate a “Password-Protected Parent Mode” allows an adult to schedule breaks while children are using the computer. During these breaks, the computer is “locked”. This is a “time out” that is seriously necessary for the health and well-being of our children.

Take a minute, head over to http://themech.net/eyesrelax/ and schedule some breaks.

I have about 15 seconds before MY screen will go black,
and I plan on refilling my coffee cup,
and taking a break.
You deserve the same…

Now You See It…

by recesstec Special Needs tips

Sunday Sit, Sip, and “Sync” ~ 1-8-2012

Lately I’ve been reading some updates on Twitter and Facebook describing the need for reading glasses.

Usually these updates generate comments from “friends” who are feeling their pain.

The consensus is that basically, this whole “aging-process” stinks.

Now, I am older than most of our followers, friends, clients, and peers.

Quite frankly, I am very happy to be getting older.

Sure beats the alternative.

Reading glasses are part of my wardrobe, and can be found on my nose or on top of my head.

(Sans the pearl neck-chain.)

And in my classroom, there were several pairs found in many convenient spots.

However, if you find yourself at your computer without those stinkin’ things,
here is a quick, free solution.

Download a virtual screen magnifier from our friends at Source Forge.
You will have the option of placing a shortcut on your desktop, and I have placed one on my taskbar.

Click on the icon, it appears, move your mouse to view, and click to remove it.

Simple. And we like simple.

This tool can also help your students with special needs while viewing web pages with small font. There is no longer a need to reset your screen resolution to meet their accommodations.

With this post, we start the new year.
We hope all of our friends had a wonderful holiday,
and are back “at it” with a refreshed sense of spirit and commitment.
We look forward to seeing many of you again, as our schedule begins forming for the coming months, and most of all, we look forward to teaching and learning as we prepare for our sessions.

Have a great week!