Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology is very new to me. In fact, when Professor Lan first brought up the term, I had had no clue what she was talking about. After taking many courses at SMU, each focusing on different groups of kids and how to help them, I try and take strategies and resources that can benefit ALL of my students, not just a particular group. When watching the Podcast presented by Dr. Nelson, I learned several tools that could really help all of my students, especially since my students are learning to read in a different language. This means that the majority of my students is struggling readers and can benefit from these strategies. Top 5 Assistive Technologies I like best:

1. Dry-lighters: I know that this is a very low-tech tool, but I had never heard of them and can't wait to use them in the classroom. So many of my students struggle with doing textbook activities, because they cannot mark on the actual text in the book. This now gives them the opportunity to hi-light in their book and erase when the activity is finished. Students can take the reading strategies I have taught them and apply it at home and in school with bookwork. For instance, I have students box their cognates (words that look like English), star the unknown words, and underline vocabulary from the designated chapter.

2. Quicktionary Reading Pens and Translators: Because I teach an older level of students, I think this is GREAT for all teachers to use at the middle school when it comes to reading to learn, NOT learning to read. I do not think I would allow the translation feature in my classroom, due to the fact that part of their learning is figuring out how to use context clues to their advantage to figure out unknown words.

3. Talking Books: Though they seem to be a pain to create, I think the labor is worth it. Talking books take what would be an individual assignment, and makes it a paired assignment. Many kids really need to hear the words as they are reading them. What would be even better, would be for the kids to be able to actually mark on the screen and "hi-light" with Paint options. Can you do this on PowerPoint? I'm not sure, but that would be helpful as well.

4. Foldable: These can be great for struggling students, because they can take large amounts of information and compact it into one hands on material that contains categories. It makes the information much more approachable and manageable.

5. Graphic Organizers while Chunk N Chew: For struggling readers, a great thing to do is have the kids work in pairs or small groups, and give each student a well designed graphic organizer that lets them monitor and organize their reading. In groups the students can chunk and chew each paragraph. That is they can read silently, then aloud, and then talk about what that section was about while filling in their graphic organizer. All the while, the kids can use highlighters to help them.

Technology: Past, Present, Future

Past:
Being a part of the Net Generation, I feel pretty in tune with most technologies that are available for the classroom. In the past, I new how to use Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. I also knew how to access and judge quality online resourcess and use YouTube as an educational tool throughout lessons. I have been familiar with EBlogger and use it in my classroom at the current time. I just created a Facebook Group, so I might be cancelling my Eblogger shortly, since I can do just as much and more on Facebook. I am comfortable using VoiceThreads, an educational website geared for student learning as well as incorporating Instant Messanger as a life-line for students the night before quizzes and tests.

Present:
Throughout this course I have learned many valuable things. First, I feel that I know much more about Microsoft Word. Second, I never had used Excel, and now I feel comfortable doing basic functions with it. I still don't know Database very well, but I have not attempted the Technology Skill database portion yet. I now understand how educational software is labeled and organized.

Future:
In the future, I would like to figure out what kinds of educational software would be beneficial for my students. I feel that I am pretty good with presentational and educational software, but don't know any technologies that really enhance the content of my class.

Facebook

When I was a sophomore in college, I was introduced to the world of Facebook. It seems even pointless to explain what it is, because it appears everyone has a Facebook page nowadays. Once was just a website for college students to keep in touch with one another has boomed into a powerhouse where any age with any e-mail address (not just a university-based one) can gain access to their own page.

My first year teaching at HP, I brought up the idea of using Facebook as an educational tool. Immediately I was shot down. It did not surprise me. The power of the Internet has been a lot for parents to handle. It is understandable in a way since children can go about socially connecting privately in their own bedrooms on their computers. Facebook is a way for kids to have their "independence." A week ago I got an e-mail asking if I would be the guinea pig to start up a Facebook group for my classroom. I was thrilled! Though my students were a little skeptical at first, I am now up to 50 kids in my group. Here is what I and my kids can do in the group:
1. Chat back and forth about homework questions
2. Discuss topics in "Debate Forums" I create
3. Access important class information including calendars and receive announcements about upcoming tests and quizzes.
4. Post links, pictures, and video
5. Chat with me or other kids online under the Facebook Chat button (similar to an Instant Message)

I am sure there are much more things I can do. I am just beginning to explore all the possibilities!