Episode Two - The One Where IPods Reign

Today my school was blessed with the presence of the Queens of SSRSB Technology. Both Barb and Anita assessed students to determine the most appropriate assistive technology to facilitate their learning. Barb let me play with her IPad - I especially enjoyed the puzzle app. Before leaving my school, she suggested a wonderful strategy to help one student communicate his knowledge - the student will create a blog. Without a doubt, he will quickly become more proficient than me. This will benefit me since he will be able to provide ideas to improve my own blog. (Throughout the years my students have proven to be good teachers.) Anita also spent time with technology-challenge me. She helped me add a video to my blog and showed me a great trick to creating Co:Writer topic dictionaries. I already showed the trick to several students this afternoon. Thanks to the ladies for taking the time to visit New Ross and working with our students.

For me the highlight of last week's class was learning about the power of the Proloquo2Go app on an IPod. So cool! Students who previously were not able to express their thoughts become like King George VI - they too have a voice. Like most assistive technology suitability and proper training is required to prepare Proloquo2Go for each student.

Several models have been followed by professionals to match a person with the most appropriate technology. For instance, fatigue or discomfort will most likely result in reduced usage. The MPT (Mileau Personality Technology) model balance aspects of a subject's environment with the assistive technology to determined the best tool for the task. The SETT (Student Environment Tools Task) Framework is used by most school boards. Simplier is better is a core belief of this model. The HAAT(Human Activity) Model differs from the school model in that it has a medical perspective.

Now I am going to attempt to add a video to my blog all by myself. You will know that I succeeded if you see a video at the start of my blog.

Thanks for reading my entry.

Great video

Youtube

Episode One - The One About Cathy's Fear of Technology

Through the years, technology has proven to be useful to me and, at times, helped me to avoid or even get out of some pretty yucky situations. Please understand - I was denied the opportunity to use a calculator until I entered university and started my teaching career in a small school without as much as a photocopier. So it is fitting that at this moment (23 January 2011) to confess that rather than being a computer geek I am actually a "Technology 'Fraidy Cat". From simple machines to fancy-dancy computers, all technology can sense my apprehension. In fact, I am convinced that my new IPhone 4 actually feels joy and happiness watching me have my many, many meltdowns. But I will conquer my fear of technology this semester with the help of our professor and my fellow EDUC 5173 learners. Looking forward to seeing all of you on Tuesday. (I'll be the one continuously seeking Barb and Anita to came over to my work area and help me.)