A Final Word

Can't believe this is the last class. We have done so much and learned so many new things that I wouldn't know where to start as to the highlights of the course. This last class really brought everything together. We all did a case study on a student or group of students and we were able to use any AT that we have talked about or have at our schools. It was amazing to hear everyones experiences and the differences they made in studnets lives. Experiences were varying as were results but I think everyone saw the benefits of working with our struggling students. It really motivated me to want to try some of the ideas that they had tried within their schools. The biggest improvement that I saw I think was with students who used co writer. It was able to help students generate vocabulary and helped with sentence structure. For those students with organizational difficulties I think it would also help.I will certainly be looking for this at my school.

I believe that the main reason for the case studies is to give us the opportunity to match our student with a form of technology that will help them in thier daily reading and writing. Looking back now I realize that I should have selected just one form and worked with that instead of trying a few different things. My purpose was to try a few different things in hopes to find the best match. In hind sight now I know what would work best with my student and I should have went with my first instinct. I do think cowriter would be the best for for him so now it is a matter of finding it on a computer in our school.

Class #5

Today in class we got to examine the writing process and everything that is required so a student is successful in writing. As in the reading process there are so many steps that need to be taken to prepare for writing. We looked at the writng process for using a pencil and paper, typing, and using a speech to text program. Below is an example of the writing process that Barb showed us in class. The writing process is a very complicated process for sure. There are spo many steps no wonder students break down at varying stages in this process. For some it is so overwhelming they don't know where to begin.

We also watched some videos dsiscussing 2 students and their learning difficulties. For the first one, Nathan was a very bright boy whose parents thought he was above average, very socail and loved to read. When he began school problems were detected almost right away. He was not able to identify many sounds of the alphabet. Teachers first decided to have him repeat the first grade thinking that he would "catch up". Nathan had an incredible memory and that is how he masked his learning problems. Once he began learning new work the learning problems surfaced again. Nathan was placed in a resource room where he was drilled with lessons to help him with his reading and writing. All along his mother never gave up trying to find what the problems were. Once Nathan was in the upper elementary grades adaptations were made for him and he was able to use technology to help him with his reading an writing. When it came to writing the state exams Nathan's mom was very worried that he would not do well. It turns out that Nathan scored a 4 which is the highest mark possible and that was with simply making adaptations for his learning. Teachers need to realize that students with learning disabilities have the same abilites as other students.

The second video was about a girl named Laura. Laura was having diffiernt problems at school. She was finding it difficult to stay organized, complete assignments and focus on lessons. Her parents did not want her on medication so they tried different avenues first but all led to the same conclusion  that Laura continues to have the same academic and social issues. In the end the parents decided to give the medication a try and there was a complete turn around in Laura's behavior and work skills. She not only completed work and stayed organized but she also had some friends.

In this class we also looked at some compensatory programs and software that can be used within the classroom for students. We looked at both high tech and low tech devices that can easily be implemented in the classroom. Some of these programs that we looked at are: WordQ and SpeakQ, Dragon Naturally Speaking, LIPS, KLICK, CoWriter, Tiki Notes, Inspiration, Draft Builder Solo, Writing with Symbols, Write OUt Loud, Classroom Suite and Clicker5. I know I probably left out a few but there are soo many programs the difficult task would be finding out which one to use. When deciding tihs you must lookat all areas of the students learning to decide the best fit.

10 Excellent Apps for Students

The Monster at the End of this Book

The Monster at the End of This Book allows children to immerse themselves in the classic Sesame Street Book. Join Grover as he tries his very best to tie down pages and build brick walls in order to keep readers away from the monster at the end of the book. The book comes alive to allow interactive play and touch-point animation. The Monster at the End of this Book is a fun reading experience for children and monsters of all ages!
Funny, furry features include:
 • Lively, interactive animation that responds to your child’s touch
• Narration by lovable old Grover himself

--and tapping Grover makes him talk!
• Engaging activities that empower readers to decide how and when to move the story forward
• Word highlighting to help build beginning reader skills



This app would be great for young students who are reluctant readers. Having to find the monster at the end of the book would motivate the student.
Cost: $3.99

Grammar Jammers

Grammar Jammers has catchy animated songs and rhymes that make learning grammar fun. Grammar Jammers animations will have you tapping your toes to the beat while learning grammar usage and mechanics. Each animation unlocks a quiz. Answer all the quiz questions for all the Grammar Jammers topics and unlock an interactive reward. This app is also available in primary and early elementary. Grammar Jammers are perfect for use in classrooms or at home.

This app would be suitable for upper elementary grades where students are working on grammar. the catchy tunes would motivate students.
Cost: $2.99

Skill Builder Spelling

Skill Builder Spelling is a great app to help boost spelling skills. It allows up to 10 tests which you can edit it yourself. It has 2 modes you can use to test your spelling:

- Classic: In this mode It shows you the current word but it disappears once you start typing.
-Jumbled: In this mode it scrambles up the current word and you have to unscramble it!
Cost: Free for a limited time

A great app for working on spelling tests and becuase there are 10 different tests there would not be a lot of repitition.

Word Domino – Free

This app is designed for children 6 years and older to assist in their vocabulary and reading skills. The game also helps to improve mental organization and scanning.

How The App is Used
The main purpose of the game is for children to build words with the proposed syllables. The game can be played using bubbles that float around the screen or just the classic version of matching two syllables together to make the word. There are three categories: wild animals, farm animals and musical instruments to choose from.

Who Benefits from this App
This app would benefit any student who is learning to spell. Also students who need extra support in reading would find this app useful. Students are able to put words together based on the syllables of the word. ESL students could also benefit from the use of this app, as it would help in their vocabulary and word building.

Why this App
This app is a free interactive game that engages students in forming words.

Phonics Tic Tac Toe – Free

This app is for children between the ages of 6 and 8 years. Using this app helps to develop better language skills through an interactive game that explores vowel sounds, syllables and beginning and ending sounds.

How The App is Used
The app is set up like the familiar tic tac toe game where the object of the game is to get three correct answers in a straight line. This app can be played by two or by one individual.

Who Benefits from this App
Students from various ages could find this app useful. Lower elementary as well as upper elementary students who are struggling with reading and or writing would benefit from using the app. The app can provide practice and review for students in older grades.

Why this App
This app is simple and easy to use and who doesn’t love a game of tic tac toe.

Beginning Sounds Sound Sorting - Free

This app teaches children to match words that share the same beginning sound.

How The App is Used
Students select, before beginning the game, three beginning sounds from pictures. The purpose of the game is for students to click and drag a picture to the matching beginning sounds.

Who Benefits from this App
This app would work well for young students learning how to spell and the beginning sounds of various words. Students with hearing impairments would find this app beneficial as each word is repeated as you touch it.

Why this App
This app focuses on one of the foundations for learning to read and write. It is important that students learn the basics in literacy skills so they are able to continue to develop into successful readers and writers.

Times Table Fun Lite

Times Table Fun lite helps students practice in their 2,3,4 times table. You can upgrade to a full version that allows you to practice your facts from 1-10 for .99C. In both versions there are four options in which you can practice, play games, play a challenging fact memory pair game, and do a test to see what you have learned.

I would recommend this game for my students to practice their facts as it gives clear and accurate feedback on how they are progressing as they are learning their math facts. The graphics and games would not be considered “babyish” and given that I know my students are competitive they would enjoy playing these games.

Rory's Story Cubes

Rory's Story Cubes is an incredibly fun and addictive app that can be used in a myriad of ways. It is billed as fostering problem solving, an ice breaker, facilitating storytelling, speaking and listening and second language development.

The game is described as having no right answers and players and as such are simply encouraged to “Don't think about it, just talk, the story will follow.” There are nine cubes that you are challenged to join together. You simply start with one cube and link them together to complete a story. If you are stuck and would like to see other sides of the cube you simply shake the iPod or touch a button at the bottom of the screen.

Although there is a cost involved ($1.99) I would definitely recommend this app as not only suitable for reluctant readers/writers, but also a fun party game. The pictures on the cubes are easy to view and it is just a lot of fun to shake and hear the cubes rattle. The possibilities seem endless when you play this game.

Candy Factory Educational Game

Candy Factory Educational game is a free app that engages middle-grade students in working in various concepts related to fractions. There are three levels of play that ranges from teaching the part-whole concept of fractions to improper fractions. During the game students fill orders of various specifications given by clients.

I particularly like this game as it enforces the concept that the sizes of the pieces are relative to the whole; a difficult concept for students to truly understand. Often students look like they know what they are doing rather than truly appreciating the very tenets of the mathematical concept. Students are given feedback as they progress through this game.

The Social Express Lite

The Social Express Lite is a FREE app that supports students with social or behavioural challenges. Through modelling, instruction, and problem solving opportunities students learn to cope with and regulate their own behaviour.

This is a particularly interesting app for me at this moment as I'm looking for resources and supports to help engage a number of students in my classroom who struggle daily with social and other challenges. (Released Nov.17/11)

Today in class we were given the opportunity to learn about the application reeldirector. This is an app that allows a person to make a movie using the iPod Touch. In groups we explored this app and how it works and also each group made a short 60 second video advertising assistive technology.


Our group decided to take a comedic approach to our commercial and we used the theme "the Wild West". We did have fun making the video but it was frustrating at times.  The tutorial on line was intensive but missed explaining some important points and it took a while to get a complete understanding. I think this would be a god app for students to use to make short videos. There are several outcomes that could be covered using this program. Some of those outcomes are as follows:

Speaking/listening skills

Communication skills

Collaborating with peers

Problem solving/sequencing

Writing a script

Research skills-learning how to run program

Technology skills – 2 apps

Learning about what a commercial is (media studies)

Self evaluation

 These are a few outcomes that students can work towards. Allowing students to demonstrate learning through other ways besides testing gives them the opportunity to use thier other strengths.

Pictello

During class we had the opportunity to take a look at a new app called pictello. This looked like a great app that would be beneficial in the classroom for many purposes. I thought I would talk about some ways that pictello could be implemented into the daily routine of the classroom.
1) Shared writing -  Students could work in small groups and write a story together. Each student can be responsible for writing a page and adding a picture. Students could choose a tolic that was interest to them. Besides the writing students have to learn to work together and compromise which can be difficult for some students. Students can than share thier stories with the class.
2) Social Stories - Students with Autism often benefit from being prepared for changes in routine or special events. SOmetimes daily routines are difficult but if they have the chance to visually see what is going to happen or what they need to do than they are better prepared. It could be as simpple as what to do in the cafeteria, getting on the bus at the end of the day or going on a special field trip. Pictures can be taken in advance and students can watch the story as many times as needed to prepare them.
3) Talking Photo Album - If the class has done something special or has gone on a field trip the class can make a photo album about their event. Students can add pictures and record a message to go with each picture. Students can display thier album for parents and other classes. With this progam each student can have a role in making it.
4) Schedules - For students who need it they can have their daily schedule on hand at all times. They are ablet o refer to it so they know what they will be doing for the day and it gives them independence so they do not have to rely on teachers to direct them to thier next activity.
5) Communication Device - Students in need of augmentative communication can use pictello for their basic communication needs. Parents and teachers can take pictures and have a child record sayings to go along with the picture. It can be basic at first helping the child communicate simple wants and needs. This way the studnet has thier communication device with them at all times.

I have not had the opportunity to use this app with my students but I would love to try it. Having grade 4 I could use it as a shared writing activity. I have a few students who have difficulty with writing tasks  but I think would be willing to try this. We also just went on a field trip dealing with our science unit. We could make an interactive book dealing with our unit on rocks and add pictures from our trip.

Class #3

In today's class we had the opportunity to see how different technology can help our students in the classroom. Each group was responsible to present a different program. Having the opportunity to see how these work and how the different programs would beneifit specific students. All the programs had some great benefits and would certainly help many of my students. I am anxious to try out the kurzwell program when I am doing my case study. For my student who has difficulty putting his thoughts on paper I think this program would work for him. I am looking forward to working with him and seeing his progression with the help of assistive technology.

we also had the chance to take a close look at the iPod Touches and some apps that would be beneficial in the classroom. the first app we looked at was pictello. It allows you to create a story through recordings and picture. I won't go into detail as that will be in my next entry but there are many activities that we could use this app for. We also looked at many other apps that could support struggling readers and writers. I am looking forward to the next class when we can look further into these apps.

The Reading Process

During this class we looked at the process a child would go through to learn to read. I really never thought of the complete process or how our brain processes words. There are so many factors involved and if one area is not working properl the child could run into much difficulty and learning difficulties down the path of learning.

One of our first assignments for this course was to do a task analysis of the reading process using kidspiration or Inspiration. Since I was mist familiar with Inspiration I chose that one although I believe they are both very similar. I was amazed at just how complicated this process could be and from watching everyone's presentation I certainly learned a lot.

Introducing Larry and Tracy

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I would like to introduce you to Larry ad Tracy! For those who were in my Disabilities Studies course this summer you would have saw this video than. It was a very moving movie that followed these remarkable men on their journey to raise awareness for autism and the possibilities that are out there for all people with disabilities. I have added a trailer for the movie but it certainly is worth the time to sit and watch the whole thing.

Both men have limited communication and they often rely on a computer or typing device to write their thoughts. Throughout their journey they travel to different  Countries and meet others who also have autism. They are often seen at many conferences as guest speakers. They also have a facebook page where you can follow thier travels and see what they have been up to.

Yesterday we completed our first class in Assistive technology. It was great to see everyone again and get back into the wonderful world of learning. We began our class by discussing what assistive technology is and what it is not. We discussed that AT is about providing Access to a Task and improving performance of a student or adult with a disability. AT is an ongoing process that provides continued supports. There is always a need to re-evaluate a students needs as those needs are continuously changing.

We also had the opportunity to see videos of some students. I remember some of these students from the previous course, especially Tyler. He is a remarkable young man who has overcome many challenges in his life. Without his AT he would not have had as many opportunities to show his knowledge. Looking at our schools I do think we have a lot of work ahead of us to ensure that all our students are given every possible opportunity to learn and communicate with everyone.

We began our first assignment and it looks like it is going to entail a lot of work. For some of us who have never done a task analysis before it can be overwhelming. I don'[t think any of us have ever really looked at every step that is required in the reading process. We can easily list the basic steps but it is difficult to think of the process that our brain goes through and our every thinking. It will certainly be a challenge but I also think it will be interesting to see how everyone thinks.
I was looking through some videos on youtube and the video I posted above caught my eye. THe title "Asssistive Technology Enabling Dreams" really is powerful adn so true. It allowed students to accomplish things that were thought to be impossible due to a disability.