A Message of Inspiration to Newtown, Connecticut

Why, Why, Why

Lord bless the little children,

The little children of our world,

Bless the little boys and the little girls,

It's a shame, a sad, sad shame,

That we take mental illness as a game,

We feel as our people, they are the same,

But really, really these people only seek fame,

Fame to see our hurt and pain,

Fame that is so harsh and lame,

But in the end, we all are to blame

Blame to the mental illness that we see,

How long will we let this illness be,

Oh, Mr. President hear our cry,

Or else continue to let our country die....

As many parents say goodbye,

All I think and say is why, why, why....

God bless the families of Newtown, Connecticut, my heart goes out to you,

You all are forever in my prayers!!!

Assistive Technology

Technology has opened many educational doors to children, particularly to children with disabilities.  For all students, technology makes things easier.  For students with disabilities, technology makes things possible.  Children come in every shape, size, and type and learn at different rates; one size does not fit all!  Teaching can be made to accommodate for the different learning needs of most children inside the regular classroom.  Some children with disabilities will need instruction in one-on-one or small groups.  But, other children (more severe disabilities), who need help to keep up with other students can benefit from machines designed to help them learn.  Such "assistive devices" helps their learning, understanding, and participation in the regular classroom environment.

Assistive technology devices are any item, piece of equipment, or software used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a student with disabilities.  This technology is important because for some students without assistive technology they would not have access to or be able to benefit their educational program.  The decision whether a student with disabilities requires an assistive technology service and/or device in order to benefit from his or her educational program is an IEP team decision.  In making this decision, the IEP team must consider the individual student's assistive technology needs in relation to his or her education program.  Children with disabilities often feel better about themselves as a result of using technology.

Mild Disabilities

For students with mild disabilities, I would utilize books on tape, close circuit TV to enlarge books, an electronic dictionary, screen enlarger for computer text, screen readers, and use markers and ruler to guide reading.  I would use a Penfriend to help students to write faster and promote better spelling and grammar.
Aspire Reader http://www.axistive.com/aspirereader-4-0.html; this software helps with students reading comprehension and word by word/sentence by sentence highlighting.
Classmate Reader http://www.humanware.com/en-new_zealand/products/learning_disabilities/_details/id_107/classmate_reader_audio_book_player.html; this software helps students gain reading independence.

Moderate and Severe Disabilities

For students with moderate and severe disabilities, I would utilize smart pens to take notes and record lectures for easier playback.  Communication boards, computers, head sticks, and adaptive switches to allow disabled children to communicate effectively with others.
Penfriend http://www.penfriend.ltd.uk/; helps students with writing skills.

Physical Disabilities

For students with physical disabilities, I would use voice output devices, text-to-voice software, and software that allows communication through the use of pictures and symbols.  For motor skills: bigger pencils, large pad keyboards and foot pedals that replace the mouse on a normal computer, and voice recognition software that allows the students to type by speaking.
Inspiration http://www.inspiration.com

Sensory Disabilities

For students with sensory disabilities, I would use talking computers and calculators for the vision impaired; braille writers, translators, screen magnifiers, and large print books;
ALVA Access Group http://www.aagi.com/
Read Please http://www.readplease.com/
The National Library Service for the Blind & Physically Handicapped http://www.loc.gov/nls/

For students with hearing impairments, I would use close captioning, telephone, headphones, and communication boards.
Independent Living Aids http://www.independentliving.com/

At Risk Behaviors/Situations

For at risk behavioral students, I would use a self-monitor to reinforce positive behaviors like Pay Attention, Be Positive, and Focus, throughout the school day.  This will give the students a sense of control, improve their attitude, and organizational skills.
Watchminder http://watchminder.com/uses/ad-hd-ld-and-autism

Gifts and Talents

For gifted and talented students, I would give them projects or reports to publish on the Internet.
Project Poster http://poster.4teachers.org
 

Web 2.0 Tools

Utilizing Web 2.0 Tools

I guess the best thing I can truly say about the Web 2.0 tools is that they are AWESOME!!!  I never had so much fun utilizing them.  I don't know which one is the better, because I enjoyed them all.  The Glogster is definitely on my to do list in the classroom.  I know the students will be so engaged with this tool, no matter what they're creating.  I must have created two or three glogs before I decided on the one I really wanted to use.  The topic I chose for my social studies unit was the five oceans in the world.  Since my lesson plans were on the nine planets and the seven continents, I decided to do a lesson on the five oceans.  I created my games from the Classtools website.  It was so easy to use.  I created 20 questions and answers based on my glog and  with one click of my mouse, the test was prepared and ready for the players.  This tool is definitely a must have for any classroom.  The games are like arcade games and the students have to shoot "rockets" (I call them), on the correct answer advancing to more levels when they complete one.  It even had a flashcard game in which students could study and guess what the answer was and check their answers to see if it was right.  I created another game (forgot the names, I was so excited), in which they have to aim "pellets" (my own name for them), on the correct answer.  It has speed to it so the students do have to be quick on their feet.  I just could not stop playing the games.  I think creating games on the lessons taught to students reinforces the lesson concepts, plus add enjoyment.  Some children of today are fascinated with video games, so why not give them what they want in an "educational" way with the rewards of pure intelligence.  Now, the video I created on the Animoto website kind of gave me trouble at the start, but I am a fighter and am very determined to get what I want and I wanted my video and I got it.  After many deletions, I finally got the best 30 second video I've ever made in my life.  And I must say, I was very, very proud of my accomplishments.  As I sit here and write this blog, I am just so enthused about my creations so I think as an adult to be so happy about my work, I could wonder how it would make a child feel.  The Web 2.0 tools are excellent technology tools that will be very effective in teaching and learning.  I have to say this was the best assignment that I really, really enjoyed completing and very confident of.  You all have to visit my creations, I posted the links below and please let me know how you enjoyed them.  Test your knowledge about the five oceans and play the games I created.  Remember to add your name to the list after you successfully complete (pass) each test.

Glogster Address:
http://bunchee.edu.glogster.com/Sailing-the-Oceans-Blue/

Classtools Address:
http://www.classtools.net/mob/quiz_11/Oceans_of_the_World_srEdh.ktm

Animoto Address:
http://animoto.com/play/DzuBgK2K8N5wA1c4Jjwbiw

All About Twitter

For starters, this entire course has been such a rewarding experience.  It has completely opened my life up too many challenges, yet enriching experiences.  I finally feel like I "fit in" and "belong" to the technology world.  I have learned about technologies that are very new to me, but they have always been in existence.  I guess my overall favorite technologies are Twitter, Glogster, and Prezi.  It took a while to get it but once I did, there was no stopping me.

Twitter is an excellent resource tool for consuming and learning.  It has a great number of resources to help students follow other people who will be useful to them based on technology being used.  It is a personal learning network to connect, share, and network.  I've learned how to follow interesting people, read their tweets, and learn from them.  Then, I share it with my followers or classmates.  The hashtags have helped to point me in the right direction.  It is a continually process.  You have to interact with Twitter occasionally to check in, reply, and participate to keep the conversation and learning going.  It's a digital pot of learning, growth, and inspiration.

I have so many organizations and people that I follow, but only a few whom I am very interested in the most.  The Edudemic organization always have just the right article on any technology device I am researching.  Jeff Dunn wrote an article about different ways to utilize the iPad in the classroom and explained various apps to help teachers in the classroom as well.  I found the Miss Speller and the 3D Human Anatomy to be my personal favorites.  It goes right along with my beliefs that students learn best by doing.  Julie Adams, another person of interest that I follow, wrote an article about the effects of utilizing iPads in the classroom.  It explained how some teachers in a Maine school district gave positive effects of their use of the iPad for classroom instruction, however, one teacher had the fear of losing the students motivation after the iPads are put away.  Chris Adams also reported the same positive effect of the iPad in the 1:1 classroom on students learning.  In the classroom, I would assign students to research lesson concepts on a weekly basis (as Dr. Ray has), I think it helps the students to get a better understanding of what they have learned and/or never knew, building on their prior knowledge.  Another idea would be to assign the students different people of interest to follow and learn about, then do a report of that person and/or organization.  For professional development, teachers could be assigned to research about ways and/or ideas to incorporate various programs in their schools.  I have read a lot of tweets about school programs that have been proven to have a positive effect on the school environment.  Margaret A. Storey wrote about the impact of social media on software engineering.  Her company, IEEE Software has reasonable software for school districts to incorporate in their schools that counts down on the spam, viruses, etc.  

I totally agree with the integration of technology in the classroom, as it is needed for students to learn in this everchanging global world of ours, but technology should not be the primary focus, the focus is on the learners.  I feel that education is so centered around various technology devices and many other useful tools that pedagogy is thrown out the window so the devices can be supported.  Do any of you agree?  The educational plan should be having a clear mental image on how student learning goals can be supported with technology.  When this happens, purposeful and meaningful learning can take place.  As educators, we must continually be growing and finding new ways to learn and reach our students.  Twitter can bring about a positive pedagogy change in my teaching.