The RIDBC Auslan Tutor is a portable video-based teaching resource for Auslan - Australian Sign Language. It's been developed by Australia's Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children specifically for use with the iPhone and iPod touch.

This is the first Auslan based teaching program I've seen for the iPod Touch/iPhone. ATMac has looked at two previous programs which are based on ASL (American Sign Language), Sign Smith ASL and iSign, which both functioned mainly as dictionaries with animated characters. The Auslan Tutor is based on recorded video rather than animation, which means the file size is very large - the application is 812mb for the 500 signs it contains.

However, the Auslan Tutor has some interesting features that will help learners to understand proper sign use in context and learn some grammar too. From the website:

Each sign has five corresponding entries which can be viewed on demand as often as necessary. The five entries are:

• a photo of the handshape used to form the sign
• a video clip demonstrating the single sign
• a video clip of the sign used in a phrase
• a video clip of the phrase used in a sentence
• a text note about Auslan grammar that is pertinent to the sign, phrase, or sentence. These notes have been included to help the user gain a basic understanding of the grammatical structure of Auslan.

This clear and easy to follow hierarchy allows the user to build upon their previous knowledge as they move through the entries.

Of course this is not a program to teach somebody Auslan on its own - no program can replace a live teacher who can correct your hand-shape, teach you about Deaf culture and history, and explain Auslan grammar and syntax.

This program has been designed for families of young deaf children who are learning Auslan, so the 500 signs are those which will be important to teaching and interacting with small children. It may be less helpful for adult learners who are interested in a different set of signs, but hopefully now one program has been produced more will follow.

The RIDBC Auslan Tutor costs AU$49.99 from the Australian iTunes store. Their press release indicates that a "lite" version of the application which includes a selection of key Auslan signs will be available for AU$2.49, in early April 2009.

Website: RIDBC Auslan Tutor

- Ricky Buchanan

I posted a while back that I was looking for an iPod Touch case that would offer real protection in case of the device being dropped or dinged - the OtterBox Defender case is what I finally bought and it's truly fantastic.

Product

Manufacturer: OtterBox
Model: iPod Touch 2nd Gen Defender Case
Recommended Retail Price When Reviewed: US$29.95

Audience

Most iPod and iPhone cases are concerned mostly with being stylish and "slimline", protecting your device from scratches and small dings. If that's what you need, this case probably isn't for you.

The Otterbox Defender series of cases are for users who want protection when the device is dropped or bumped. No case can protect totally against drops, especially from a height or onto a rough surface, but the OtterBox cases focus on protecting the device as much as possible while still keeping it usable.

Video

This is a review on YouTube for the Defender case. I find the guy's voice a bit difficult to understand - he speaks very quickly - but there visuals are clear and it shows you the dimensions and thickness of the case and how protective it is:

[embed width="640" height="385"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGwEfNO8LOY[/embed]

Specifications

• Fits the iPod Touch 2nd Generation only (8GB, 16GB and 32GB models).
• THREE layers of protection:
  • Layer 1: a clear, thin membrane to protect your Touch Screen
  • Layer 2: a hi-impact Polycarbonate skeleton
  • Layer 3: a Silicone skin to absorb bump and shock
• Touch screen fully usable through case


• Brightness detector fully usable through case


• All buttons are accessible through the case


• Sync/Charge jack and headphone jack accessible via silicone plugs


• Dimensions (case only): 4.68" x 2.74" x .65"


• Weight (case only): 1.8 oz.

Accessories

There is a ClipStand available which functions as a belt clip and also a stand if you'd like to sit the iPod up to watch video.

An arm band is also available for sports lovers.

Conclusion

I've already dropped my iPod Touch several times since I got it and this case has fully protected it from all of these drops. I still wouldn't recommend dropping the device if you can avoid it, but if it does get dropped this is a case I'd want to be using.

Pros

• Some protection from falls
• Screen protector included
• Silicone case makes the device less slippery and prone to drops, while still being soft to the touch
• Cost is fairly low, compared to other protective cases

Cons

• Bulky case may not fit into other bags or sock-type cases designed for iPod Touches
• Difficult to obtain outside USA, so if returns are necessary this could be a problem

I'm really pleased that I bought this case. It's not the sleekest around but I didn't buy the iPod Touch because I liked how thin it was. The only thing I'd like that this case doesn't provide is somewhere to attach a lanyard so I can fix it around my neck or wrist to further protect against drops, but that's not a common feature in any iPod Touch cases. I highly recommend this case.

- Ricky Buchanan

AssistiveWare and Sennott Consulting have announced that they are working on a groundbreaking Alternative & Augmentative Communication (AAC) program for Apple's iPhone and iPod touch called Proloquo2Go. It's expected to ship by the end of March, 2009.

Features listed on the Proloquo2Go website:

• Communication system designed from the ground up optimized for the iPhone/iPod touch
• Built-in text-to-speech (male, female and child voices)
• Picture and text based communication
• Over 6000 symbols plus you can easily add your own pictures
• Easy to use, yet with powerful customization options
• Many innovative features to facilitate and speed up your communication

No cost has been released yet, but I would expect that even with the cost of an iPod Touch included this should make a very competitively priced AAC system. A Cyrano Communicator, for example, costs US$1399 and runs on a small pocket PC with a touchscreen which is very roughly similar to an iPod Touch or iPhone. Saltillo's ChatPC, running on a touchscreen palm sized PC runnind Windows Mobile, starts from US$2395. Dynavox's Palmtop3 costs US$5245 and also runs on a touchscreen palm sized PC running Windows Mobile.

Those who are interested can leave their details on the website and will be notified when Proloquo2Go is available. Samuel Sennott has also posted on his blog that there will be presentations on Proloquo2Go at the ATIA conference this week. See his post for further details.

Website: Proloquo2Go

- Ricky Buchanan

[proloquo2go-disclaim]

Sign Smith ASL is an animated tutorial and phrase book for American Sign Language (ASL) from VDCom3D.

Our ASL team of 4 Deaf professionals has created these accurate signs based on their native language experiences. VDCom3D continues to research the needs of the Deaf community and provide tools for learning and accessibility.

The VDCom3D company have also created several programs for ASL reference using animated characters, but unfortunately these are only available for Windows.

As with iSign which we reviewed previously, a program like this can never replace classes with a live instructor. It can teach you individual words but not the grammar and syntax of ASL, which is very different from English grammar and syntax. And, of course, it can't teach you about Deaf culture and history - which is very important to understand when learning any language. But for those who are taking classes, or wish to augment existing knowledge of ASL, it's a great resource.

The program may also be of use to supporters and educators of people who use Makaton, Signed English/Signed Exact English (SEE), Pigeon Signed English (PSE)/Contact sign, Simultaneous Communication (SinCom), and all other communication methods which utilise ASL signs. These modified communication methods are often used by children with developmental delays, people with autism, and those with intellectual impairments as well as deaf and hearing impaired people. Parents teaching approximate ASL gestures for Baby Sign may also be interested in the program.

Three versions of the Sign Smith ASL program are available, from a free version which contains 20 signs to a 1200 sign version which costs US$29.99 at the time of writing this.

Website: Sign Smith ASL

- Ricky Buchanan