My Other Bloggs!

Here are links to my other two blogs that I made with my classmates for this course.

Course Reflection

As I look back on my AT journey I remember feelings of unsureness and anxiousness to explore the unknown.  I took this course because I wanted to learn more about AT and how to integrate for students of need.  I found myself learning a lot about AT but also learning a lot about technology.

I can say that I am pretty technological and find technology interesting and useful.  I have been a person who has always tried to become better in my practice and technology has played a key role.  I have wanted to make a blog for many years now but just didn't know where to start.  I can now say that I am a blogger!  I have learned the craft and see its value in this course and beyond.

I now can take away key learnings from this class: knowledge of learning disabilities, how Apple technology can make learning better/easier, how the reading process works and finally how to blog individually and as a team.

The knowledge I have gained of different learning disabilities is endless.  By doing research and working with peers on projects I have learned about ADHD, Autism, dyslexia, dysgraphia to name a few.  Working together we were able to uncover these LD's and plan for them using technology.

The second learning is the richness that Apple has added to education.  Making sure that there is a medium for people to create and share apps that help students with various problems work past their disabilities and experience sucess!  I must say we are an Apple family.  I am married to an ADE, we have multiple devices and our schools both have given use access to use Apple technology with our kids.  Before this course I would not have known the various apps that were available for students.  It is really never ending!

Thirdly I learned everything I know about the reading process from this class.  I had some basic knowledge but very little.  I found this class to be challenging and rewarding.  Talking about reading is something that really put me out of my comfort zone and for that I am grateful.

Lastly I have learned a great deal about blogging.  As I have said in my last post blogging is something that I was interested in for a while now and I am glad I was able to explore it in this course.  It was a great layout and I am glad that I was able to communicate my learnings with the world.  I have wanted to make a blog for a while and I have wanted to learn how to integrate blogging into my classroom.  I can really see Blogger as a great way to have students create a blog together and post as a whole class or in teams to make pages similar to the way we did in our class.  I loved that format.

Special thanks to Barbara.  It was a great course and as you can tell I have learned a lot and plan to take  this back to my practice.

Cheers

Interactions and Ecosystem Project

Last class we were asked to create a blog on a specific unit.  Aside from the obvious curricular gain of diving into the curriculum deeper and integrating new resources I found the structure of this assignment to be amazing and very useful.

As a team of three we were responsible for creating a blog that would contain lots of resources for our unit.  Aside from the resources we needed to be aware of some students who would need consideration in our planning.  I learned a lot about these conditions as well as a lot about the topic itself.

Although this may not have been the attempt I have learned a lot about blogger from this assignment and can see how doing a similar assignment in a classroom would be amazing.  Having students working on a joint project all posting at their rate and from their own computer would be a great way for them to communicate with each other and with the outcomes!  FABULOUS !!!!!  I am excited to start blogging and can see how this medium can open doors for so many students!

Misunderstood Minds LD: Chapter 1-2-3 Reflection

During this class we were asked to view videos dealing with students with learning disabilities.  During our three videos we were introduced to two students Nathan and Lauren.  The introduction discussed how the attitudes surrounding LD's have changed.  In the past we considered these children lost and with no means of rescue.  Parents would hold their breath and hope for the best.  Today we check to see exactly what is going wrong, never using a broad brush to diagnose issues.  Teachers and parents now have more strategies and resources available to them. The following is a description of Nathan and Lauren's learning disabilities and the tough choices families need to deal with.


Nathan:
Nathan is a sporty, athletic young boy.  He started his early years being very worldly, reading and with very high communication skills.  It was when he started grade one that his mom saw problems.  He struggles with phonemes.  The sounds were just not there although from appearances he loved books and loved to read.

His mom struggled with this issue at first.  Like most parents she could not understand how someone who is so high functioning could be struggling so much.  Nathan used coping skills with familiar work but as he moved on in his education these coping skills did not work.

Lauren:
Lauren is a student who has sever attention and organizational problems.  When I watched her video I found myself looking as some students in my class and one in particular who suffers similar problems.  She forgets what she is doing and has trouble with her school work.  She has social issues.  It was found that she needs a focus coach, someone to help her organize academically and socially.

The issue her parents were struggling with was to medicate her or not.  Doctors were suggesting ritalin but her parents were worried that they would loose their daughter to the drugs.

Here is a concept map outlining the key issues we developed during class.

For my fellow bloggers!

iTunes has an advertisement on their website showing Special Education as their app of the week.

 If you click on it you will be taken to a site that shows lots of different apps that are good for different student needs!  Looks like we may have been adding to the searches and now Special Education is a feature item this week!

Inspiration

I was re-introduced to a not so new software tonight. We were asked to download inspiration from its 30 day free trial version. I had first been introduced to this software back in 2002 during my B.Ed. at STFX. It is a great software to do both mind maps and concept maps. Mapping is another great way to graphically display data in an easy to read manner. Not only is it a great display tool but the actual creation of the maps themselves helps synthesize key ideas for students.

From the developers site...
For visual mapping, outlining, writing and making presentations, use Inspiration® 9, the ultimate thinking and learning tool. Brainstorm ideas, structure your thoughts and visually communicate concepts to strengthen understanding with the Diagram and Map Views. To take notes, organize information, and structure writing for plans, papers and reports, use the integrated Outline View to focus on main and supporting ideas and to clarify thinking in written form. With Inspiration's Presentation Manager, transform your diagrams, mind maps and outlines into polished presentations that communicate ideas clearly and demonstrate understanding and knowledge.

The following is an example of our concept map that we started to develop on the reading process...

Assistive technology for kids with LD: An overview

I had to write a post about this site.  For anyone wanting to know more about AT and more importantly more about how AT applies to different academic areas this site by Great Schools is a wonderful place to visit.

They organize their site into categories that make sense to educators and parents.  First you look at 

What types of learning problems does assistive technology address? Then you visit What kinds of assistive technology tools are available? After you can see how students are profiled and finally visit different or other forms of AT that might not have been listed in the provisos categories or links.  Take a look.

The Reading Process

Our class tonight was a learning experience!  I am primarily a secondary math and science teacher.  I have little or no experience with the reading process and understanding how we read and how we apply our knowledge to read text.

Opening the class with a reading activity was eye opening.  I had no idea how I read.  I just did it!  When I had to think about the process and how I would go about decoding text and moving across the page it made me think of all the students who do not have these skills.

The videos on the science behind reading were great to watch.  It was neat to understand how all of these systems are linked together.



The eye!  Wow!  We watched a video on how the eye works.  Most amazing was the microchip that they are trying to develop to give people with visual impairments a bionic eye...the ability to see!  If the optic nerve is still functioning the chip will send a message via the nerve to the brain.  Wow!

It is always amazing to study the connections and synapses that are needed to do what comes so naturally to some of us...read!  The science behind how we learn and how we read was very interesting to me.  I am a science person and enjoy learning about these mind/body connections.

I learned a lot about the reading process tonight as peers and our instructor shared their knowledge of the steps and processes that you must undergo to read text.

Implementation of Assistive Computer Technology: A Model for School Systems

This article by Karen Morrison outlines the necessary factors one needs to consider when making decisions about AT. The importance of balance between expertise in technology and pedagogy is one that is achieved with feather like precision. Some of the barriers that exist include: lack of teacher time, limited training, access to support service, limited leadership and lack of common vision or rational for ACT. These are all issues that the author brings to light while considering implementing AT.

Teachers attitudes are cited as both a problem and blessing.  Teachers need to understand the value and want to put in the time needed to make the technology work for the student.  Aside from attitudes training is essential.  Morrison also states that it is necessary to remember that each of the technologies while great will not work for all students even students who have the same needs.  This was interesting for me and a perspective that I had not yet considered.  Perhaps it is my personality that wants to organize and group things.  In the AT world it is not possible to make generalizations and categorize things.

After our last class where we looked at different models of AT assessment I can see how tailoring the assignment of AT to each student would be necessary.  A framework like SETT or HAAT would be needed to ensure the needs of each student was addressed.

Finally, on aspect of this article that resonated with me was leadership.  In all aspects of education it is necessary to have a leader.  Someone who can relay the common goal and have a shared vision.  In AT the leader would not only be able to use their leadership skills but they would need to be able to have a great handle on all the stakeholders.  A leader in this field would need to know a lot about implementation, managing resources and people (teachers, students, parents administration).  This is a huge undertaking and I now understand their role so much better.

Figure 8.1 Influences on Assistive Technology

After our last class we were asked to view and make sense of the Scherer Table. After closely examining the table I can see its value as a model or way to assess the need and type of technology. By simply stating what is part of a persons social environment or milieu, their personality and examine the technology you can help make a better fit for your student. For each of the three categories you can look at which have the most boxes checked and decide for each of the three categories if it is optimal, partial/reluctant, avoidance or abandonment. Tools like these make it easy to focus in on areas of need. They can help identify the use of AT and how to go about working with family and support workers. This is a handy easy to use check list that gives this information at a glance.

Understanding Assistive Technology

This is a great video that describes the meaning and definition of Assistive Technology. The PACER Simon Technology Center is a place where you can go and try out your assistive technology item to see if it will work best for your needs. This is a great system that supports many of the models that we learned about during our last Assistive Technology course. I would love to have access to such a library near my school. It would be amazing to fit the technology to the student and not need to undergo the cost associated until you know it fits. Brilliant!

Assistive Technology Models or Framework

Assistive technology in education is very similar to other decisions we make as teachers, when do we decide to act and what do we do? For this assignment we were given the task to seek out four models of assistive technology, summarize them and be prepared to report back.

  SETT
The first model I found was the SETT Model. The SETT framework consists of asking: S- What are the students needs?, E- Environment- classes and situation where help is needed, T-Tasks- What are the tasks that the student needs to be able to accomplish to meet IEP goals?, and finally T - Tools- What AT or services will address these tasks. In a collaborative manner the needs of assistive technology devices and/or services is addressed in a format similar to an IPP or IEP. For me this was the most familiar way to ask these types of questions given that I am a classroom teacher who is responsible for writing IPP (Individual Program Plan in Alberta Schools). After working through what we know and what we need to know possible AT tools are considered and supported in a document format. After possible tools are addressed the model then addresses availability and finally sets out roles and responsibilities to ensure the programing is working and the AT is being used appropriately.

   Education Tech Point Framework 
Educational Tech Points is a tool to help school districts to determine and meet the assistive technology needs of individual students and to evaluate and improve their assistive technology services system wide. It has a dual focus on providing effective assistive technology to an individual child and reviewing a district’s overall system of providing assistive technology services. The process undergoes the following steps: Referral, Evaluation, Extended Assessment, Plan Development, Implementation and last Periodic Review.

  Lifespace Access Profile

The Lifespace Access Profile(c) is a client-centered, team-based collection of observations that point to next steps in a comprehensive program utilizing technology. It turns the overwhelming task of determining how technology can benefit individuals with physical disabilities into a systematic, co-operative search for solutions that work. Life Space Access Profile is a computer program that uses these collections of observations. Lifespace access profile is a 46 page manual containing detailed instructions for the administration and rating process for the 59 scales included in the Profile. The result is a graphic profile which provides the team with a powerful tool for priority setting and decision making.

  The HAAT Model 
The HAAT model stands for H- Human, A-Activity, AT - Assistive Technology. This model proposes a framework for the understanding and placement of assistive technologies in the place of the lives of those with disabilities. Them model examines the Human, Activity and Assistive technology individually and how they relate to each other. It was interesting to see the different models that we had found. We only did three presentations and all three were very different. There were some similarities but for the most part when comparing my presentation to theirs we were able to research some different models. Not only did I learn a lot about the models but I also learned that when dealing with assistive technology and the framework for decision making there are many different paths you can take to get to the same place...student support! Every model we spoke of during our class tonight was a model that had one soul purpose - to make a difference in the education of a child. Given this purpose these are very powerful and important models.

iPhone, iPad and iPod touch Apps for (Special) Education This is a list of iPhone, iPad and iPod touch apps for education and special education. Each app includes a one sentence description by the author as well as a picture of the app for easy searching in iTunes.

Some of the categories include: Speech and Language Apps, AAC Apps, Basic Communication with Web-based editing, Basic communication and Scene-Based AAC plus many more.

"As a blind person, yeah, maybe I don‘t see it, but other people see it, and I want it to be, you know, just as glamorous as the next guy." This is a quote from an article by Kristen Shinohara and Jacob O. Wobbrock Titled In the Shadow of Misperception: Assistive Technology Use and Social Interactions. This article shows the results of a study of students and their perception of assistive technology. One perspective that I never considered was the aesthetic appeal of the device. The quote above is from one of the participants in the study. He did not like his orange ear buds and refused to use them because they were not glamorous. Even though he is blind he still cares how he is percieved by others. IPads and iTouches are trendy and in style. Assistive technology's impact on the user, especially teen users, would be higher if they are given a trendy device to use. one that does not set them apart from their peers but allows them to join their mobile world.

After visiting this site I had to share. I have to admit coming into this course my knowledge of assistive technology was limited. Limited because of my lack of experience with the devices. On this canadian site you can view many different forms of assistive technology. They are categorized by subject, needs such as communication and life skills. You also have the opprotunity to purchase the devices from this Canadian retailer. Purchasing aside it was interesting to see just how BIG this market is and how many devices are manufactured. They really consider the needs of the student and finding ways for individuals to communicate and thrive in a classroom. Visit Bridges to explore their devices!

Apps for Autism

Apps for Autism is a great video that was shared during our presentations last week. In this video you will find a very powerful case for the use of assistive technology for students with various degrees of Autism. Anyone working in a school setting or directly with Autistic children should watch this video. Click on the link above. The video was not available for embedding.

Class Presentations

Wow! What a great class of presentations we were able to view tonight. In my course we were responsible for watching a webinar and reporting back to the class with some information to share in a Jigsaw style format. From the presentations we were able to learn new applications for Apple technology as well as become aware of implementation obstacles and ideas for success. The following are some of the apps that were reviewed during our presentations. I choose these apps because of their relevance to me and my position. If I did not find them useful for myself i saw a need for in another area of my school where I might be able to share or pass it on. So in trueEnjoy! iCommunicate is an application that you may purchase for the iPhone or the iPad. It costs $49.99. iCommunicate lets you design visual schedules, make routine charts, flash cards and speech cards and more. It is customizable to your needs.

Sign 4 Me Learn to sign enlist with more that 10000 words in the library. It provides language instruction in 3D! Cost: $9.99

Match2Say is a great app for students who have trouble saying or producing words or sounds. It was developed by a speech therapist and is great for parents of children who need speech help at home. It costs $19.99.

Speech Tutor This is a great app for explaining to students how to use their tongue and mouth to articulate sounds. Developed to be used by speech language therapists, students to the SLP program or parents of children who have speech difficulties.

Munch 6 Pack is an app from Tumble books. Tumble books is a popular site for schools to bring digital reading alive in the classroom. Students can access libraries such as a collection of Munch books but they can also read from over 70 other titles. They range in price starting at $1.99 a book.

There are so many application out there for students who have learning difficulties. Some of the applications like iMovie for example not only work well at captivating our LD students but they also work great at captivating our classes as a whole. Learning how to properly integrate technology into the classroom is key to enriching your instruction. Gone are the computer class days where people were expected to produce word documents or type at a certain speed. Now our technology should be integrated and have breath throughout our curriculum helping all students achieve better!

Wordle

This is a wordle that I created to show some of the key ideas that really stand out when we are thinking about assistive technology. Wordles are a great and entertaining way to display information in a fun to read way! Visit http://www.wordle.net/ to start creating yours. Hint: if you want one word to stand out more than others copy and past that word multiple times and it will become one of the larger, bolder titles.

My Grade Eight Class $20000 Best Buy Winning Video

My First Blog Post...

It is exciting for me to be writing those four words!  My name is Leanne MacDonald and I have had the pleasure of teaching grade seven and eight math/science classes for the past seven years.  I have been toying with the idea of starting a blog for my junior high students and I am excited to be able to learn more about this.

I am excited to get started in my final STFX course which deals with Assistive Technology!  I am excited to learn about the iPad and other apple technologies and how to use them in the classroom.  Last class it was exciting to see how speech to text can be done effortlessly with the new iPad.  I enjoy using apple technology and integrating it into my instruction and proudly hold the title of "Mrs. Mac" with my students ;)

The sky is the limit and I am along for the ride!