I am very much in support of using assistive technology in the classroom. Teachers should surround themselves with as many different types of learning aids that they possibly can. There are students out there who have so many different learning styles so we, as teachers (or future teachers), need to be prepared for those learners. Assistive technology is an extremely valuable tool that we can use to reach as many students as possible. This does not mean that only need to have technology that assists students who have disabilities, although this is extremely important. The Universal Design for Learning is an approach to learning that was developed by CAST in which teachers structure their curriculum and teaching styles to suit all types of learners. This is based on research in neuroscience which states that there are three primary areas of the brain that are involved in learning. From this the Universal Design for Learning focuses on three areas in which there are multiple ways to reach students: representation, expression and engagement. In this way, all students can be reached on many different levels. Not only would it be wise for teachers to include assistive technology in the classroom for the student's benefit, it would also be wise for the teacher to include this technology because of Section 508. Section 508 is a law that requires all Federal agencies to include technology that will support people with disabilities. In other words, schools must provide technology that will help students with disabilities to learn at their own pace and style. I will include four different types of assistive technology that I feel would be beneficial for all students in the classroom.
The first piece of assistive technology that every student would be able to work well with is the Alpha Smart Dana. This is basically a portable keyboard that students can use to write with. There are no distracting games that are included in the Alpha Smart Dana and, since it is portable, students can use it anywhere in the classroom. This would be great for students who have trouble sitting still in one place for very long, for students who need to sit in a more comfortable position when typing, for students who cannot sit at a computer and type, and many other types of learners. Teachers can have their students use the Alpha Smart Dana while they are in class, taking notes. This would be great for students who type faster than they write or who have trouble with writing. Of course, there is always a downside to technology and this one has a few. There is a stylus that is included that students can use to write with but the version of the letters in the alphabet that they must use is difficult to adapt to for younger students. Fortunately, the user is not required to use the stylus when writing. The menu is a also a bit confusing but once the students get used to it, they will be able to get right into whatever they need to do. In my opinion, the positives far outweigh the negatives of this machine and it would make a good option for any classroom.
For students who cannot type, there is a unique type of technology called the LOMAC. This is a light sensory technology that students can use to type with. The students puts a headset on that has a tiny beam of light coming out of it. Then the student just points the light at a specific light-sensitive keyboard which records the letter. This is a little time consuming as you can imagine but if a student has no way of typing on their own, this is well worth the effort that goes into it. All students will be able to use this technology as well. If a student hurts their hand in some way, they could use LOMAC until their hand gets better. So this is a technology that can help most students.
An interesting technology that can be used to help students with math is called the Math Pad. A page that describes the Math Pad in more detail can be found here: http://www.synapseadaptive.com/intellitools/mathpad.html. Basically, the Math Pad is designed to help students see a math problem more clearly and to solve that problem easier. This is the perfect solution for students who have trouble writing out math problems and following the problem to find the correct solution. This is also a great resource for students who are more visual because they will be able to see the problem on a screen in large print. I would definitely use this technology in my future classroom.
The last technology that I will cover is called the Tango. This is my absolute favorite assistive technology because it is fun to use and easy for students to figure out. This device helps students to learn how to communicate with others. They can use it to leave messages, take digital pictures, practice greetings, and much more. It was developed by the parent of an autistic girl so it works very well with students who have autism. The directions are very straightforward and easy for students to follow. Teachers can also use this device to leave messages for the student to listen to later. There are so many different uses for this technology and it would be a wonderful asset for any classroom.
Assistive technology is an essential part of including all students in effective learning. Since there are so many different styles of learning and learning needs, teachers need to find as many resources as possible that will help those students fulfill all of the potential that they have and more. I am very much in favor of using assistive technology in the classroom because I feel that all students deserve the chance to learn as much as they want and with as much help as they need.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
5 Ideas for a Science Curriculum Unit
Since I know for sure that I will be doing my science curriculum unit on earthquakes and volcanoes, all of my ideas will be centered on that topic. They are also all geared towards sixth graders.
*1. The class will choose either a fault line or a volcano and edit the class wiki with information that they gather about that choice. Then we will share with another sixth grade class what we have discovered. I will be doing this project.
2. Again the class will choose either a fault line or a volcano. This time they will create a web page with at least one picture of the fault line or volcano and information that they gather about it. Again, we will share with another class.
3. Working in pairs, the students will choose an activity that will either be a replica of their fault line or volcano, a presentation on their fault line or volcano, or a paper about their fault line or volcano. Each will include a certain guideline for what information must be present.
4. The students will create either a podcast, imovie, or a project in frames that shows a skit that they have written about their fault line or volcano. They must include important information about their topic in the skit.
5. The students will use the kidspiration program to organize information about either a fault line or a volcano. From this, they will create a poster that includes this information to present to the class and other sixth grade classes. I will take a picture of each poster and make a frames project from the pictures.
*1. The class will choose either a fault line or a volcano and edit the class wiki with information that they gather about that choice. Then we will share with another sixth grade class what we have discovered. I will be doing this project.
2. Again the class will choose either a fault line or a volcano. This time they will create a web page with at least one picture of the fault line or volcano and information that they gather about it. Again, we will share with another class.
3. Working in pairs, the students will choose an activity that will either be a replica of their fault line or volcano, a presentation on their fault line or volcano, or a paper about their fault line or volcano. Each will include a certain guideline for what information must be present.
4. The students will create either a podcast, imovie, or a project in frames that shows a skit that they have written about their fault line or volcano. They must include important information about their topic in the skit.
5. The students will use the kidspiration program to organize information about either a fault line or a volcano. From this, they will create a poster that includes this information to present to the class and other sixth grade classes. I will take a picture of each poster and make a frames project from the pictures.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Using Podcasts in the Classroom
Kidcast #46: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
This podcast is about getting kids to go into a more in-depth look at writing narratives. Included in this podcast is an activity designed to get kids to do just that. The activity is basically like 20 questions. The teacher brings pictures into the class and asks the students to make up 20 questions about the picture. Then the class answers them. This activity can also be broadened into an activity using podcasts where students make a podcast of their 20 questions, including the pictures.
Driving Questions: Online Safety
This is a podcast about a guy who travels to different schools to speak with students, parents and teacher about online safety. With so much of the world online today, it is important for children to understand that the internet is not a playground. Students need to be careful when they are online. The author of the podcast does not go into specific strategies of how to talk about online safety but he does give lots of ideas for topics of discussion on online safety. This podcast would be a little dry to use with students in the classroom but I would definately show this podcast to parents.
Based on these two podcasts , I would definitely use them in the classroom. While listening to them, I was able to get into what the authors were saying. Also, the Online Safety podcast includes a video so I can see how that would also get students more involved in what the authors are saying. Podcasts can be used for tutoring, for a way to get reluctant learners involved and to produce amazing class projects. In order for students to create podcasts they must be able to coherently organize their thoughts into narrative essays and presentations. If I were to say this to a students they would not be so enthusiastic about podcasts but that's the beauty of it. Students will enjoy making podcasts and build their skills without even realizing it. There are so many ways that a teacher can use podcasts in the classroom to build on skills in a way that students have fun at the same time.
5 Ways to Use Podcasting in the Classroom
1. I would definitely use the idea that Dan Schmit presents in the KidCast podcast that I used for this post. The 20 questions idea stimulates students' creative thinking and engages them in more in-depth analysis of the information that they are presented with.
2. I would also use podcasts to help struggling students get a different perspective on a lesson that we are going over. Sometimes, all a student needs to excel is a different perspective on the same information. This would be a great way to tutor struggling students.
3. Podcasts can also be helpful with giving information to parents. The students and I could create podcasts for their parents to listen to that tells them what we are working on in class and how their child is learning. Podcasts can also be used with parents to impart important information such as online safety.
4. Students could also research podcasts on their own to present to the class. If we are working on a unit that is widespread students could pick a topic within that unit and find a podcast that works with their topic. Then they can share what they have found with the rest of the class.
5. A variation of the last use of podcasts could be that students make their own podcasts of the research that they have done on their topic. Then they can share these podcasts with the rest of the class.
This podcast is about getting kids to go into a more in-depth look at writing narratives. Included in this podcast is an activity designed to get kids to do just that. The activity is basically like 20 questions. The teacher brings pictures into the class and asks the students to make up 20 questions about the picture. Then the class answers them. This activity can also be broadened into an activity using podcasts where students make a podcast of their 20 questions, including the pictures.
Driving Questions: Online Safety
This is a podcast about a guy who travels to different schools to speak with students, parents and teacher about online safety. With so much of the world online today, it is important for children to understand that the internet is not a playground. Students need to be careful when they are online. The author of the podcast does not go into specific strategies of how to talk about online safety but he does give lots of ideas for topics of discussion on online safety. This podcast would be a little dry to use with students in the classroom but I would definately show this podcast to parents.
Based on these two podcasts , I would definitely use them in the classroom. While listening to them, I was able to get into what the authors were saying. Also, the Online Safety podcast includes a video so I can see how that would also get students more involved in what the authors are saying. Podcasts can be used for tutoring, for a way to get reluctant learners involved and to produce amazing class projects. In order for students to create podcasts they must be able to coherently organize their thoughts into narrative essays and presentations. If I were to say this to a students they would not be so enthusiastic about podcasts but that's the beauty of it. Students will enjoy making podcasts and build their skills without even realizing it. There are so many ways that a teacher can use podcasts in the classroom to build on skills in a way that students have fun at the same time.
5 Ways to Use Podcasting in the Classroom
1. I would definitely use the idea that Dan Schmit presents in the KidCast podcast that I used for this post. The 20 questions idea stimulates students' creative thinking and engages them in more in-depth analysis of the information that they are presented with.
2. I would also use podcasts to help struggling students get a different perspective on a lesson that we are going over. Sometimes, all a student needs to excel is a different perspective on the same information. This would be a great way to tutor struggling students.
3. Podcasts can also be helpful with giving information to parents. The students and I could create podcasts for their parents to listen to that tells them what we are working on in class and how their child is learning. Podcasts can also be used with parents to impart important information such as online safety.
4. Students could also research podcasts on their own to present to the class. If we are working on a unit that is widespread students could pick a topic within that unit and find a podcast that works with their topic. Then they can share what they have found with the rest of the class.
5. A variation of the last use of podcasts could be that students make their own podcasts of the research that they have done on their topic. Then they can share these podcasts with the rest of the class.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Options for my Literacy Unit
Option 1: Since I will be focusing on older grades, this unit will be directed towards sixth graders. In this first option, I will be doing a literacy unit on Ancient civilizations. My students will research what life was like for a twelve year old in whichever civilization they choose. My students will then write out a five minute script which depicts their findings. Then they will make a movie out of their script and post it on the school website. This will help the students with their writing skills as well as their understanding of ancient civilizations.
Option 2: This next option will be a unit on reading and writing strategies. My students will be expected to create and maintain a blog that focuses on one particular topic that they find interesting. Throughout the time spent on the unit, each student spend time each week reading informational and fiction books on their subject. They will then post at least twice a week about what they have read and how it fits into their topic. They will also be expected to explain how they used specific strategies to help them pull out the information that they used. Of course, citations will also be used.
Option 3: This option will focus on spelling. Each student will form their own strategy for how to spell better. They must give this strategy a catchy name and develop it fully. Then they will make a podcast of how to use their strategy. To make this unit more fun, the students can make their podcast into an infomercial, a tv show or anything else that they can think of (provided it is g-rated). Then they will be assigned into groups to watch and evaluate each others' strategies. Once each group has decided on the best strategy, the entire class will decided which one of those is the very best and the winner will receive a prize.
Option 4: This option will focus on the steps involved in writing essays and papers. In the planning stage, the students will use Kidspiration software to develop their ideas in a web. From this, they will pull the information needed to form the introduction, body paragraphs and ending of their essay. Once all of those ideas are constructed and organized, the students will write a first draft of an essay. This first draft will go up on the class wiki. They will then have to peer review each others' essays by typing in suggestions in a different font color. Next, the students will write out their final draft and post it in their blogs.
Option 5: This option will be a more individual class project, meaning that each student will choose their own novel to read regardless of what their other classmates are reading. Each student will read their novel and make their online journal entries about it on their blog. After finishing the book, they will need to pull out what they believe the climax of the novel to be. Using the website toondoo.com, the students will then create their own comic strip of the climax. The creation of the comic strip will have to be done in class though so that I can monitor how the students are using the site since it is not exclusively a children's site and may contain inappropriate material.
Option 2: This next option will be a unit on reading and writing strategies. My students will be expected to create and maintain a blog that focuses on one particular topic that they find interesting. Throughout the time spent on the unit, each student spend time each week reading informational and fiction books on their subject. They will then post at least twice a week about what they have read and how it fits into their topic. They will also be expected to explain how they used specific strategies to help them pull out the information that they used. Of course, citations will also be used.
Option 3: This option will focus on spelling. Each student will form their own strategy for how to spell better. They must give this strategy a catchy name and develop it fully. Then they will make a podcast of how to use their strategy. To make this unit more fun, the students can make their podcast into an infomercial, a tv show or anything else that they can think of (provided it is g-rated). Then they will be assigned into groups to watch and evaluate each others' strategies. Once each group has decided on the best strategy, the entire class will decided which one of those is the very best and the winner will receive a prize.
Option 4: This option will focus on the steps involved in writing essays and papers. In the planning stage, the students will use Kidspiration software to develop their ideas in a web. From this, they will pull the information needed to form the introduction, body paragraphs and ending of their essay. Once all of those ideas are constructed and organized, the students will write a first draft of an essay. This first draft will go up on the class wiki. They will then have to peer review each others' essays by typing in suggestions in a different font color. Next, the students will write out their final draft and post it in their blogs.
Option 5: This option will be a more individual class project, meaning that each student will choose their own novel to read regardless of what their other classmates are reading. Each student will read their novel and make their online journal entries about it on their blog. After finishing the book, they will need to pull out what they believe the climax of the novel to be. Using the website toondoo.com, the students will then create their own comic strip of the climax. The creation of the comic strip will have to be done in class though so that I can monitor how the students are using the site since it is not exclusively a children's site and may contain inappropriate material.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Belief about Technology
I believe many different things about technology in the classroom. First of all, there is the belief, borne of my own education, that pencil and paper is the best way to teach and learn a lesson. I grew up thinking that if I used the computer, I was taking a short-cut and not learning the "true" lesson behind whatever task my teacher set for me. Now that I have become older and gotten more involved in technology, my beliefs are beginning to change. Technology can be useful in the classroom and it does help teachers reach students on a different level than ordinary lessons. Coming along with that, though, is the risk that any person takes when they use the internet for anything. So I am left feeling confused about using technology in the classroom.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Technology and the Classroom
For this post, I thought it would be best to respond to each link that I either viewed or read individually. For each, I will put the link to it at the beginning so that anyone interested in viewing it who is not in my class may have the opportunity.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o
This video is so extremely true. We are living in a time when technology is booming and a lot of colleges and universities are not taking full advantage of what is out there. Many schools are still stuck in the sedentary students watching a teacher at the front of the class mode of learning which is not very affective. Classes should be much more interactive and stimulating for students, even without the technology aspect. This video is very moving and a little bit over dramatic but it gets the point across nicely.
http://mediatedcultures.net/ksudigg/?p=84
I thought that some of the points made in this video were interesting. It is good that the web is becoming so much more accessible for ordinary people to use but I still can't help but think about all of those people in the world and our country who don't even have computers and have no idea what Web 2.0 is at all. It is almost like there are two different worlds: the world with computers and the world without. While Web 2.0 is advancing the world with computers and getting everyone more involved and connected, what is happening to the world without computers? They are being left behind and children in some schools will never be able to do the things that other, more privileged children will be able to do because they don't have access to those advances.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEFKfXiCbLw&feature=related
I agree that technology is something that can get students more involved in school. Some of the ideas that were in this video were a little age specific, targeting towards older students but, overall, the ideas were great. I remember sitting in class when I was in middle school and high school daydreaming instead of listening and I was one of the best students! If my teachers had used more technology, I certainly feel as though I would have been more interested. Again, though, I have to think about all of those students who do not have access to the same technology as their classmates. For example, on the cell phone and texting assignment, some students will not have cell phones and some of the ones who do have cell phones will not have texting available on their plans. So this idea seems a bit impractical. It is a wonderful idea but I'm not sure if it will be available to all students.
http://www.infinitethinking.org/2007/03/itm-6-and-walls-came-tumbling-down.html
I really don't like to repeat myself so much but, after viewing this video, I still feel like a significant portion of students will be left out. The idea of using online social communities in a classroom is a wonderful idea on paper (or, in this case, on a blog) but I'm not sure how it will play out in a real-life situation. There are so many different scenarios and situations that could leave students out. But, with that in mind, I do feel as though teachers can still use technology to get students more engaged but they will have to be creative and wary of how they have students get involved.
http://everyonelearns.blogspot.com/2006/04/do-something-disruptive.html
This is my favorite link of all of these. I feel as though this blog entry was able to explain more efficiently the practical uses of technology in the classroom. The whole point of using technology is to change the way that we teach because, obviously, something is not right with the current school system, seeing as how 50% of students drop out before they graduate. If we embrace this new idea of teaching, we will be able to reach more students and cultivate their creativity and eagerness to learn. Even those without the sane access to resources as others will benefit from this new idea of teaching as it trickles down the system. We as a society need to change our focus and realize that the most important areas of the country are our public schools and they need money so that all students will be able to live up to their best self.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o
This video is so extremely true. We are living in a time when technology is booming and a lot of colleges and universities are not taking full advantage of what is out there. Many schools are still stuck in the sedentary students watching a teacher at the front of the class mode of learning which is not very affective. Classes should be much more interactive and stimulating for students, even without the technology aspect. This video is very moving and a little bit over dramatic but it gets the point across nicely.
http://mediatedcultures.net/ksudigg/?p=84
I thought that some of the points made in this video were interesting. It is good that the web is becoming so much more accessible for ordinary people to use but I still can't help but think about all of those people in the world and our country who don't even have computers and have no idea what Web 2.0 is at all. It is almost like there are two different worlds: the world with computers and the world without. While Web 2.0 is advancing the world with computers and getting everyone more involved and connected, what is happening to the world without computers? They are being left behind and children in some schools will never be able to do the things that other, more privileged children will be able to do because they don't have access to those advances.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEFKfXiCbLw&feature=related
I agree that technology is something that can get students more involved in school. Some of the ideas that were in this video were a little age specific, targeting towards older students but, overall, the ideas were great. I remember sitting in class when I was in middle school and high school daydreaming instead of listening and I was one of the best students! If my teachers had used more technology, I certainly feel as though I would have been more interested. Again, though, I have to think about all of those students who do not have access to the same technology as their classmates. For example, on the cell phone and texting assignment, some students will not have cell phones and some of the ones who do have cell phones will not have texting available on their plans. So this idea seems a bit impractical. It is a wonderful idea but I'm not sure if it will be available to all students.
http://www.infinitethinking.org/2007/03/itm-6-and-walls-came-tumbling-down.html
I really don't like to repeat myself so much but, after viewing this video, I still feel like a significant portion of students will be left out. The idea of using online social communities in a classroom is a wonderful idea on paper (or, in this case, on a blog) but I'm not sure how it will play out in a real-life situation. There are so many different scenarios and situations that could leave students out. But, with that in mind, I do feel as though teachers can still use technology to get students more engaged but they will have to be creative and wary of how they have students get involved.
http://everyonelearns.blogspot.com/2006/04/do-something-disruptive.html
This is my favorite link of all of these. I feel as though this blog entry was able to explain more efficiently the practical uses of technology in the classroom. The whole point of using technology is to change the way that we teach because, obviously, something is not right with the current school system, seeing as how 50% of students drop out before they graduate. If we embrace this new idea of teaching, we will be able to reach more students and cultivate their creativity and eagerness to learn. Even those without the sane access to resources as others will benefit from this new idea of teaching as it trickles down the system. We as a society need to change our focus and realize that the most important areas of the country are our public schools and they need money so that all students will be able to live up to their best self.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
A Change
Originally, this blog was created for my EDU 125 class last semester. I have now discovered that I need to have a blog for my EDU 302 class this semester. How thrilled was I to remember that I already had one set up and everything? Since I've decided that I do, after all, enjoy having a blog I have decided to change the title of it and keep it around for a while. Unfortunately, I can't change the URL but it will be a nice reminder of my first ever official class on education.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
