Note to Barb and Anita: You have paved the way for me to become a lot more techno-savvy. I kept most of my comments on the ‘notes’ app on my IPhone. After each session I emailed the information to myself. Very Cool! Thanks ladies.
Here are summaries of two sessions that I attended at the ASCD conference in San Francisco last week.
Session One - Cyberbullying – William J. DeMeo, Cincinnati, Ohio
Latest research indicates that students will spend 7.5 hrs with technology each day
Acronyms such as “PAW” - parents are watching are used by our students,
Some students have written derogatory remarks about teachers. In USA interruption of student learning was the key to the court cases won by educators.
Presenter recommends that we use the Toothpaste model, prevention.
Here are the ten measures that the presenter recommends for school to take.
1 formally assess to see if problem at my school
2. teach that all forms of bullying unacceptable
3. Specify clear rules; Post signs and posters in the school
4. Use peer mentoring
5. Consult your school attorney BEFORE incidents occur
6. Create a comprehensive formal contract
7. Implement blocking/filtering software
8. Cultivate a positive school climate
9. Educate your community
10. Designate a ‘Cyberbullying’ expert at your school
Session Two – Mobile Applications for Learning – Helen Mowers & Shari Ehly, Killeen, Texas
(Barb and Anita – Sure appreciate that you both taught me how to find and use the Apps. These skills
made it possible for me to keep up with the presenters in this session.)
Introductory Fact: Cell phones more common than other types of phones. According to the presenters, even
most of the students from low socio-economic areas of USA have cell phones. (I plan to determine
how many of junior high students at my school own IPods and IPhones).
Although most of the Apps that were suggested were for IPods/IPhones, several of the Apps were exclusive
IPads. Now I really want to get an IPad!!!
The presenters have a great way to get demographic information about the attendees. They had each
participant download the App “Red/Green” that, with a touch, lights up the screen either red or green. Once
completed information on a sheet we changed the screen from red to green. Mowers and Ehly suggested
that the App could be used for true/false questions. When they asked for suggestions from the participants, I
said that a student could use the green to indicate that he or she was feeling calm and ready to work and the
red to give the teacher or PSA that he or she is having difficulties controlling his or her emotions. (I will try
this idea out with a student tomorrow morning.)
The Apps that I discovered and liked include
• red:green - free
• iMovie -great for school reports $4.99
• Bump – free
• Apps4Kids – free
• Outside - $2.99 (although I can only get Halifax info)
• Audioboo – free
• Spellbound NJ Lite – free
• Miss Spell’s class – free
• Chicktionary 300 – free
• Cartoon Studio – free
• StoryPrompts - $0.99
• The Elements - $0.99
• BrainPOP – free
• NASA – free
• Anatomy Lite – free
• SoundLevelFree – free
• TeachersPick - $0.99
• Minecraft WE - $2.99
• Human Body Facts $0.99
• TED mobile – free
• Office Yoga – free
• Mitosis – free
• Grammar Girl - $1.99
• SkyView Free – free
• Bookworm - $2.99
• World Atlas by National Geographic - $1.99
• Discovery News - free
The presenters also explained how they use the iTunes U – they especially like the K 12 categories of the Maine Department of Education. University of Florida also have several books downloaded.
The chance to attend the ASCD conference was the opportunity of a lifetime. I was especially fortunate that it was held in San Francisco this year.
Thanks for reading my blog.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Episode Eleven – The One Where Cathy Uses Her Nose to Write
“The hand that turneth the knob, opens the door” – Anonymous
One of the biggest challenges I experience as a program/behavioral support teacher is the implementation of assistive technology for all the students who will benefit from its use. Along with the students and teachers do not see the advantage of learning how to use various devices and programs, often people are afraid that they will make too many errors. But as to quote a First Nations saying “The greatest mistake you can make in life is to continually fear you will make one.”
During the AT 5173 class on March 22, I had the opportunity to experience the challenges face by a person who requires a head switch to operate a communication device, specifically a Head Mouse – Sensor on dot. Although the switch opens up a world of communication that would otherwise be unavailable, it was not an easy skill to master. Without a doubt, I would need to increase my patience if I was to effectively employ a Power Link but I like to believe that the incentive of vastly improved communication would inspire me to become more proficient.
I thank the other member of my class for enlightening me about 20 effective ways to employ a Power Link.
1. Pencil sharpener
2. Popcorn maker
3. Light
4. Toaster
5. Electric Stapler
6. Turn on a Fan – (eg. dries glue)
7. Hair Dryer
8. CD Player with read aloud story
9. Overhead projector
10. Score board (eg. To indicate soccer ball)
11. Fitness equipment
12. Ice crusher
13. Blender
14. Electric Piano (Switch ensemble)
15. Plug in Disco Lights
16. Turn on Appliances such as washer, dryer and dishwasher
17. Light Bright
18. Timer
19. Music for musical chairs
20. Massager
While creating Individual Program Plan (IPP) Goals that include the use of a power link switch one should consider:
• Cause and Effect
• Experience and Senses
• Socialization
• Completing the Task
• Increasing Communication Opportunities
The IPP team will need to be creation and provide the opportunities for user and staff training to use the devices.
Thank you for reading my blog.
One of the biggest challenges I experience as a program/behavioral support teacher is the implementation of assistive technology for all the students who will benefit from its use. Along with the students and teachers do not see the advantage of learning how to use various devices and programs, often people are afraid that they will make too many errors. But as to quote a First Nations saying “The greatest mistake you can make in life is to continually fear you will make one.”
During the AT 5173 class on March 22, I had the opportunity to experience the challenges face by a person who requires a head switch to operate a communication device, specifically a Head Mouse – Sensor on dot. Although the switch opens up a world of communication that would otherwise be unavailable, it was not an easy skill to master. Without a doubt, I would need to increase my patience if I was to effectively employ a Power Link but I like to believe that the incentive of vastly improved communication would inspire me to become more proficient.
I thank the other member of my class for enlightening me about 20 effective ways to employ a Power Link.
1. Pencil sharpener
2. Popcorn maker
3. Light
4. Toaster
5. Electric Stapler
6. Turn on a Fan – (eg. dries glue)
7. Hair Dryer
8. CD Player with read aloud story
9. Overhead projector
10. Score board (eg. To indicate soccer ball)
11. Fitness equipment
12. Ice crusher
13. Blender
14. Electric Piano (Switch ensemble)
15. Plug in Disco Lights
16. Turn on Appliances such as washer, dryer and dishwasher
17. Light Bright
18. Timer
19. Music for musical chairs
20. Massager
While creating Individual Program Plan (IPP) Goals that include the use of a power link switch one should consider:
• Cause and Effect
• Experience and Senses
• Socialization
• Completing the Task
• Increasing Communication Opportunities
The IPP team will need to be creation and provide the opportunities for user and staff training to use the devices.
Thank you for reading my blog.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Episode Ten - The One Where Cathy Realizes a Broader Definition of Assistive Technology
It is a personal goal of mine to gain more comfort and confidence with technological equipment so as to help each of my students utilize assistive technology. Through the process I am looking at assistive technology with a much broader lens. As a result my objective is being met. Serendipitously, I have had a lot of fun.
In fact, I have come to realize that I have been taking advantage of assistive technology throughout my entire life. Perhaps I can now justify my extravagance when I purchased my KitchenAid appliances - my hands do not hurt after I prepare meals and desserts anymore. I can hold my head up high whenever I get my stepping stool to reach my shoes on the top shelf in my closet, wear my reading glasses to read the newspaper, use my orthotics to avoid foot pain and place my lanyard around my neck to keep my keys close at hand. No wonder I really enjoyed learning about the various ideas fellow students came up with for using dollar store items as assistive technology items for their students. I have already implemented ideas that I received from the presentation during our last EDUC 5173 class. Thank you to everyone for inspiring me to approach assistive technology in a much better way.
Throughout this winter I have had the opportunity to learn through different types of webinars. As you already know, I am going to San Francisco to participate in the ASCD annual conference. As a means of offsetting the high conference fee, I forwarded my name as a volunteer at two sessions. On the night of March 10, the ASCD conference volunteer coordinator trained us through a Webinar. It was exciting to join the approximately 50 other people throughout the world who participated. I have come to appreciate that this method of instruction is a good fit for me and my preference towards visual learning. (Learning in the comfort of my own home is a beautiful bonus!). I must say that I liked the Eluminate system that Barb used in earlier this semester better since I could see her and also download documents easily. (It was more difficult to make a personal connection with the ASCD presenter) Without a doubt, I would love to have further opportunities to use Eluminate again.
Thank you for reading my blog.
In fact, I have come to realize that I have been taking advantage of assistive technology throughout my entire life. Perhaps I can now justify my extravagance when I purchased my KitchenAid appliances - my hands do not hurt after I prepare meals and desserts anymore. I can hold my head up high whenever I get my stepping stool to reach my shoes on the top shelf in my closet, wear my reading glasses to read the newspaper, use my orthotics to avoid foot pain and place my lanyard around my neck to keep my keys close at hand. No wonder I really enjoyed learning about the various ideas fellow students came up with for using dollar store items as assistive technology items for their students. I have already implemented ideas that I received from the presentation during our last EDUC 5173 class. Thank you to everyone for inspiring me to approach assistive technology in a much better way.
Throughout this winter I have had the opportunity to learn through different types of webinars. As you already know, I am going to San Francisco to participate in the ASCD annual conference. As a means of offsetting the high conference fee, I forwarded my name as a volunteer at two sessions. On the night of March 10, the ASCD conference volunteer coordinator trained us through a Webinar. It was exciting to join the approximately 50 other people throughout the world who participated. I have come to appreciate that this method of instruction is a good fit for me and my preference towards visual learning. (Learning in the comfort of my own home is a beautiful bonus!). I must say that I liked the Eluminate system that Barb used in earlier this semester better since I could see her and also download documents easily. (It was more difficult to make a personal connection with the ASCD presenter) Without a doubt, I would love to have further opportunities to use Eluminate again.
Thank you for reading my blog.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Episode Nine - Part Three - The One Where Cathy and Cathy Visit the Dollar Store
Our Top 10 Finds at Dollar Store
1. Sand Paper
2. Suction Plate
3. Pick Up Tool
4. Egg Timer
5. Bubble Wrap
6. Remote Control
7. Magnifying Glass
8. Plastic Bucket with Holes
9. Large Clothes Pins
10. Electric Stapler
Episode Nine Part Two - The One Where Cathy and Cathy Visit the Dollar Store
Task B
Adaption of dollar store materials to invent an assistive technology tool for your student
Milieu - school or home
Personality – student who has fine motor challenges with the inability to use his arms, grasp, and draw.
Task – allows student to hold and use a crayon, facilitates colouring and participating at home and with his peers in classroom art tasks.
Technology –modified crayons
• The modified crayon shape creates an art tool that can be effectively used by the student who has fine motor challenges with the inability to use his arms, grasp, and draw.
• This technology allows him to hold and use a crayon, facilitates colouring and participating with his peers in classroom art tasks.
• The economical cost and simple instruction allow for additional crayons to be prepared for the student to use at home or other locations.
• To prepare this technology, regular crayons were melted using a miniature cupcake pan in 265 degree Fahrenheit oven for about ten minutes. Once cooled at room temperature followed by a half hour in the freezer, the newly-shaped crayons pop out easily.
Episode Nine Part One - The One Where Cathy and Cathy Visit the Dollar Store
Task A
Ready made Technology
Milieu - school or home
Personality - child with fine motor problems, attention issues, and lacks motivation for proper hygiene, cognitively delayed.
Task – grasping a tooth brush and brushing teeth for adequate (3 minutes) amount of time.
Technology – suction based tooth brush and three minute hour glass timer.
Tooth brush and Three minute timer:
• Favourite cartoon character design motivated children to brush.
• Vacuum holders support tooth brush stand on the surface of walls or glass (easier to pick up).
• Hourglass indicated the right time for brushing, neither too long nor too short. The three minutes of flowing sand will help children form good brushing habits.
• Makes brushing fun!
Episode 8 - The One Where Cathy Learns About More IPod Apps
Last Thursday night we were treated to an informative Eluminate session that provided us with more information about suitable IPod apps to compensate for our students' learning challenges. Among the benefits of Eluminate learning is the perspectives that we received through the messages that were displayed from teachers employed in other parts of Canada. Without a doubt, I am a fan of the Eluminate classroom and look forward to enrolling in courses that utilize this technology.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)