REFLECTION

December 12, 2012

Tonight is our last class and we finished our presentations.

Trisha presented “S” (Grade 3)

Writing

·        paper port – she could record and didn’t have to worry about the spelling

·        iWord Q – she speaks and it does the writing.

Reading

·        Raz Kids – read books on line and it assesses her comprehension

·        Tumblebooks – books that can be read aloud (favorite author Robert Munsch)

Great to hear “S” excited about her learning!

Ann presented “Jaden” (Grade 6)

It was nice to see Jaden tell us about himself and what he likes and his experience with co-writer.  Seeing his gymnastic ability was awesome!   It is inspirational to see a student become an optimal user of technology.  You really have opened his world and have given him a successful future.  It is also interesting to hear that he has apps that he prefers, and others he dislikes.  Independence is key!!!

Francine presented “Jack” (Grade 1)

He has had a host of services in the past but still waiting diagnosis.  How sad it isto hear that there are few iPads available in” Jack’s” school.  I was very glad to hear his parents were working to implement the use of an iPad at home.  You brought a tear to my eye when I heard he used proloquo to communicate he wanted a drink!

 

Isaac presented “A” (Grade 7)

Assistive technology isn’t always about electronics.  Seeing him calming himself in the swing puts everything in perspective.  Glad to see you have provided him with a voice through the iPad.  We really take our ability to communicate for granted.  Based on “A’s” abilities, it appears to be a hit and miss activity to find apps that suite his needs.  I really like the choices of calming apps that were introduced.  I can see introducing these to one of my students at CAMS.  Isaac, you are a special person!  Thank you!

Traci  presented the Early Literacy Intervention Group (Grade 3)

I found it interesting to hear how you use the AT to really focus on the remedial skills hat focus on the basics with students.   Using Sand Tray seems to work well to focus on particular letters and words.  How students learn to read really is an interesting process.  For those who struggle it becomes a cumberson process.  Any thing you can use to help them focus is useful.  I love how the stability balls let the kids be active yet remain focused.

Scott “Ziggy” (Grade 5)

Sometimes it is hard to believe it can take so much time to finally diagnose Learning Disabilities.  Seeing the char of her actual scores from her Psyc Ed puts her abilities into perspective.  Technology really will be the key for her!  Lap tops and computers are helpful but the iPad really is the best choice, (easy to access, large variety of apps).  Scott was correct when he said one frustration is the time it takes to learn apps and teach them to the students and staff.

 

OVERALL COURSE REFLECTION

This is the third Assistive Technology course I have taken from Barb.  It really is amazing how technology can change in a short period of time.  Some of the first forms of AT I was introduced to include Kurzwell, write out loud and co-writer.  I can remember being amazed at how these programs could open doors for so many kids.  However, as an administrator, I struggled with how to put these tools in the hands of students.  The cost was more than we could afford as a school.  Even with the obstacles, we did our best to support all students.  

This course has been even more amazing than the last two.    The iPad and its apps have improved the ability to learn for students who have challenges when it comes to learning.  I will continue to ensure that students at CAMS have the opportunity to use AT for their learning.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

 

REFLECTION

December 5, 2012

Tonight was the beginning of our presentations.  Darci, Emily and Stephanie took the stage and shared their experience in finding AT solutions for their subjects.  It was very interesting to see presentations at work with an elementary student, a senior high student and an adult.  Each one was able to find assistive technology solutions that fit the needs of their subject.  I feel the most rewarding part of finding the right AT match is the independence and joy it brings to the user.  Well done Ladies!

Following the presentations we were treated to presentations by grade six students at Hebbville Academy.  Twelve groups introduced us to a variety of apps for the iPad as well as other form of technology. It was so nice to see the student be the teachers and speak of the excitement they experienced with their own learning.

 

Below is a list of the apps and other AT devices the students showed us:

Pic Collage – uses pictures to create designs to show learning

Own Cloud – a place to save work that can be accessed from any location

Simple Minds – a graphic organizer

Moodle - a website student access to find teacher assigned homework and notes.  No more excuses for not having the work!

Keynote – a form of presentation similar to Power Point

Book Creator – an application that lets students create their own books.

Geo Board – another app to support Math

Rocket Math – a space game designed to improve math skills

Parallel Bulbs – an app that teaches students everything they need to know about electricity and circuits.

Type on PDF – allows students to take a picture of an assignment and actually type on the assignments.

QR Codes and QR Generator – a great way to store and access information by just making or scanning a QR Code

Appoline - an app that provides everything needed to create a story.

Senteos – devices used to get quick responses, great for multiple choice questions or surveys.

 

REFLECTION

 

November 28, 2012

 

Snow Day!!!  Snow Day!!!  Tonight’s class was cancelled due to impending snow.  Thank you Barb for thinking about our safety!

As I searched the internet for Assistive Technology Assessment Models I discovered the following

1.     SETT MODEL

 

The SETT Framework gathers information concerning the following

·        Student’s needs and abilities

·        Student’s environment

·        Tasks needed for the student to participate in the environment,

·        Tools needed for completing the tasks.

2.     MPT MODEL

This model takes into consideration the following when determining appropriate Assistive Technology

a.     Individuals expectations,

b.     Preferences,

c.      Background,

d.     Family and environmental influences and

e.      Economic factors.

Questionnaires are used to find out information about the milieu, the person and the appropriate technology.

 

3.     LAP MODEL

A model based on a team approach that helps to select appropriate Assistive Technology that focuses on the following categories.

·        Physical Resources

·        Cognitive Resources

·        Emotional Resources

·        Support Resources

·        Environmental Analysis

 

4.     WATY MODEL

This model is usually for school aged children and gives the ten very specific guidelines below:

·        Overview of the Assistive Technology assessment and planning process,

·        Assistive Technology assessment forms

·        Assistive Technology for computer access and writing

·        Assistive Technology for communication

·        Assistive Technology for reading, studying and mathematics

·        Assistive Technology for daily life, recreation and leisure

·        Assistive Technology for positioning and seating

·        Assistive Technology for hearing and vision

·        Assistive Technology for examples of  IPP goals and objectives

·         Assistive Technology financing and laws

5.     OTHER MODELS DISCOVERED

·        AT Co Planner Model

·        ABC Model

·        Education TECH POINTS

·        Chambers Consideration Model

·        RESNA Model

LOW TECH TOOLS

Clay – fidget tool  

Stress Balls – fidgeting tool to alleviate impulsivity

Paperclips – Page markers and for helping with page turning

Magnetic Letters – to communicate and spell

Magnifying Glass – to enlarge material

Graph Paper – help with alignment, especially in Math

Kitchen Timer  – to set specific start and end times.

REFLECTION

November 21, 2012

Tonight we did our presentations for the case study we were given.  It was exciting to see the number of different apps people found to support the various challenges students face.  Below is a list of some of the apps that were introduced.

Graphia – a neat app that is used as a graphic organizer to draw diagrams, input words and input photos

Bone Scan Bob – a great app to teach the bones of the body.  It is a game of learning where you race for time and points as you put the bones in their proper location.

Skeletal Anatomy 3D –another app to support the learning of bones but it is designed at a higher level that goes into more detail.  It is great for students with ADHD or Asperger’s.  It also has a video to support the learning and provides an option for quizzes

This is my body anatomy for kids – Good for emergent literacy.  You can use some of the diagrams provided to take a picture and then put into pic collage.

I Book Creator – can be used to make their own book about the different bones and skeletal systems.  It is great because you can use dictation to create the text.

Dragon Dictate – It takes the child’s spoken word and puts it into a text format.  A great app for students requiring a scribe.

HT Recorder for iPad – is another way to record thoughts that can be put into a drop box and send to the teacher

Mr. Rogers Makes a Journal – allows students to create a journal uses Mr. Roger’s characters and pictures.  It is very good for students who focus on their emotions.

Puppet Pal –Lets students create a puppet show in which they choose the backgrounds and characters.  They can also record dialogue as they create the puppet show.  If students wish, they can use their own family pictures in the puppet show.

Comic Life – Is fun and creative with templates you can use. It would be a wonderful tool for making social stories.  You can take your own pictures to use if you choose.

iWord Q – and app similar to  co-writer,  It is a word prediction program that can speak as well.  The user chooses the voice, the rate of speech and the number of words it will predict.

iDiary for Kids – This app provides a lot of choice as well as the ability to password the book.  There a choice of color, stickers or the ability to draw.  The best part is that entries are time stamped and you can choose the font.  The user can choose to print, email or use the scrapbooking feature to save your creation.  The app also has a built in address book.

SHADOWARC – A great application for anyone with a visual impairment.  It can magnify items to make it easier to see. You can also pause a selected item so you can enlarge it as well.

Go Animate – is an application that can be used on the computer.  It uses characters that you select to create a scene.  Using the app is a great way to teach a concept because it is unique to be instructed by someone other than the teacher. 

 

I really enjoyed class tonight. I am amazed at how many different apps are available to support the various learning challenges individuals face.  I haven’t had much time to play with my new iPad but I am looking forward to finding out the hidden treasures it can possess!

 

 

 

 

REFLECTION

November 14, 2012

Tonight, Greg and I worked as a team to convert a paper assignment into a variety of formats that would be accessible for students with the following disabilities:

·         significant learning disabilities in reading

·         significant learning disabilities in writing

·         visual impairment

·         ADHD

·         Autism (nonverbal)

·         Asperger’s

·         Down Syndrome (emergent literacy)

·         Hearing impairment

·         Cerebral palsy (nonverbal, ataxic, no control of extremities)

Thanks to one of our grade 6 French teachers, we used an assignment in which students would use a word bank to label a picture of the human body, (in French of course).

In order to make this assignment accessible we used a variety of applications (Scan to PDF, type on PDF, Pic Collage, Notes and proloquo2go) to ensure the assignment can be accessible to all with a variety of disabilities. 

Next week we get to share our assignment with the class.  Hope we can remember what to do!!!

 

Purchased myself an iPad 4!!! 

 

My unboxing was much more fun!!! 

 

Yahoo!!!