Tuesday, 13 December 2011
Presentations -Night 2
The last night of class. I have learned so much from Barb this fall. I wish more classroom teachers would take this class. The benefits for our students at NGES are so apparent. Tonight we started off with a presentation on a student who was experiencing difficulties with writing and other expressive language challenges. He had been working with an ipod and enjoying that but had expressed some concerns about what he was doing with it. Grade 5 boys are brutally honest . The second presentation focused on a student with very significant learning challenges. He uses a ipod touch for reading and is able to be in the classroom with his peers which is so important at this Grade level (6). He is also using the ipod for writing using Typo..not familiar with that so will need to check that out. His poem demonstrated how AT gives students written and oral voice in a way that we haven't experienced. I enjoyed hearing how students feel about their assistive technology and how they are able to explain how thye can use it. I have noted that students who are using AT at our school gather students near them who are interested in the technology and want to learn more about what they can do on it. It is amazing what a leveling impact AT has for all students. A presentation on a student with ADD (a former student of mine) demonstrated a continuum of learning and social challenges. Lack of organization and internal structures cause huge difficulty with his learning. His teachers are working very hard to assist him with organization but he struggles to demonstrate responsibility for his own learning.Scribing had been a major tool but now is working with Kurzweil, pdf forms and the ipod touch. The ipod touch seems to be the most effective tool for developing independence. Barb would be pleased as she very definite thoughts on the impact of scribing on developing independent skills.Lack of an ipod for use throughout the school would be so beneficial.The following presentation demonstrated the use of Comic Life in an ECM12 class. As writing is a very challenging activity for these students the use of Comic Life provided them with an appropriate opportunity to share their thoughts. I really need to learn how to use this app as one of our Gr. 6 students could really benefit from using this process (although all our students could benefit from it). The ipad cart is coming to our school next month and I think I will do a special project with our Grade 6 class. My homework assignment for the holidays.Our next presentation was a series of good news stories: using an ipod for expressive written language, using cut and paste and emailing in the notepad app, using Clicker 5 for comunication and of course, the ipad. Note to self-check out facilitated communication and the yes/no app.
Our last presentation was a very exciting look at an adult student who is using AT to read the Driver's Ed manual so that he can get his driving license. Kudos to this man who has embraced lifelong learning with a goal in mind. How wonderful to be able to taps into all the technology resources being used with him.
Our last presentation was a very exciting look at an adult student who is using AT to read the Driver's Ed manual so that he can get his driving license. Kudos to this man who has embraced lifelong learning with a goal in mind. How wonderful to be able to taps into all the technology resources being used with him.
Presentations -Night 1
Tonight we had the first round of case studies completed by course members. They were as varied as the challenges faced by our students I was reintroduced to Hyperstudio-a simple presentation program easily used by teachers and students. It has been many years since I used it but it brought back memories of great work completed by students in my Grade 6 classroom. We will be purchasing the program for our learning centre after Christmas. We had a very thorough presentation on MySpace ToolBar. Sems to have lots of positives and a few negatives but I am sure that they will be worked out in time.I can certainly see how it could be very useful for high school students. We also saw more examples of assistive technology (the ipod) can make a major impact on the ability of students to be given their own voice. The work at Bayview was very impressive. I did my presentation on a student with global delays. I have been working with her for 30 minutes a day, four days a week. She has made some many gains and has become quite adept on the use of the ipad and stylus. I am very pleased with her progress. I really enjoyed these presentations because they trigger so many ideas for the use of assistive technology with students at all grade levels. It certainly has become a much larger part of my thought process in program planning meetings and I am excited that we are going to purchase 10 ipods from such extra money provided by our board.
I also l;earned the proper protocol for presentations-first time I have done one in many, many years.
Looking forward to next week's class.
I also l;earned the proper protocol for presentations-first time I have done one in many, many years.
Looking forward to next week's class.
Saturday, 3 December 2011
More Great Things to Try Out
Wasn't able to get to class last week as our sub-system went through the utilization study workshop. Missed the session on co-writer but I have used it before and Barb also sent us a document to read so feel ok about that part. This week Barb showed several more selections from a series of PBS videos called Misunderstood Minds. Thankfully she has them posted at Misunderstood Minds. At least I can go back and see what I missed. I found the first episode of the evening very distressful because it reminded me so much of the frustration my own son went through as he/we struggled with his learning disability. I will be sharing these with my staff during the next few staff meetings as it is great information for them all to have and tires with with the great workshop Barb put on for us on the November inservice day on apps for ipads and iphones.
We also experienced the frustration of trying to write a paragraph with our non-dominant hand. It was a good exercise for us to go through as we discussed the things we thought about as we were writing: using smaller words and sentences, the difficulty of actually forming letters, how quickly we grew tired with the extra effort needed and the difficulty for others to read what we had produced. We also discussed the limitations of having someone scribe for us:we had to wait for the scriber to catch us, forcing us to slow down, we lost our train of thought, our own words weren't necessarily what was put on the paper. The limitations of scriber were certainly apparent and demonstrated that we need to find methodologies to deal with expressive language disorders. The most important part of this exercise was the demonstrated need for students to pre-plan their writing in order to be successful.
Voice to text technology clearly will assist students in dealing with expressive language disorders. We looked at adding voice to powerpoint presentations (which became the tool of choice for my son, Simon) and the recording capabilities of ipads and iphones. The ability for a student to record hs/her voice and then send it as an email or pasted into a text document provides incredible opportunities for students to express their own ideas, rather than forcing students to depend on others.
We also experienced the frustration of trying to write a paragraph with our non-dominant hand. It was a good exercise for us to go through as we discussed the things we thought about as we were writing: using smaller words and sentences, the difficulty of actually forming letters, how quickly we grew tired with the extra effort needed and the difficulty for others to read what we had produced. We also discussed the limitations of having someone scribe for us:we had to wait for the scriber to catch us, forcing us to slow down, we lost our train of thought, our own words weren't necessarily what was put on the paper. The limitations of scriber were certainly apparent and demonstrated that we need to find methodologies to deal with expressive language disorders. The most important part of this exercise was the demonstrated need for students to pre-plan their writing in order to be successful.
Voice to text technology clearly will assist students in dealing with expressive language disorders. We looked at adding voice to powerpoint presentations (which became the tool of choice for my son, Simon) and the recording capabilities of ipads and iphones. The ability for a student to record hs/her voice and then send it as an email or pasted into a text document provides incredible opportunities for students to express their own ideas, rather than forcing students to depend on others.
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Oh the Places We Go!
There won't be enough time to wade through all the links I discovered tonight unless we have a couple snow days in a row. Barb took us into Elluminate.com to talk about several web sites which we were to investigate for assistance for our students as they develop their reading skills. Even though the internet was not on our side tonight, we did have time to work though several sites:
Game Goo-Learning That Sticks
Free Technology Toolkit for Univeral Design for Learning in All Classrooms
Starfall's Learning to read with Phonics
I was also interested in the Tumblebooks web site. The link led us to a site designed for junior/senior high students but a little searching led me to
Easy Readers and Chapter Books in Tumblebooks
Even though the price is not cheap, special collections are available for a year's subscription at a reasonable price.
Of course, each of the sites has many links to other sites which support reading development. I suggest you take some time to explore each of these sites.To get you started, check these out:
Game Goo-Learning That Sticks
Free Technology Toolkit for Univeral Design for Learning in All Classrooms
Starfall's Learning to read with Phonics
I was also interested in the Tumblebooks web site. The link led us to a site designed for junior/senior high students but a little searching led me to
Easy Readers and Chapter Books in Tumblebooks
Even though the price is not cheap, special collections are available for a year's subscription at a reasonable price.
Of course, each of the sites has many links to other sites which support reading development. I suggest you take some time to explore each of these sites.To get you started, check these out:
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Fifth Night
We started off the evening with exciting news.....an upgrade to IOS5. Now the iPad/iPod has a speak selection device that will read the text without the need for an app. Barb was so excited, she called it a game changer and I can see why. I followed the very simple directions and updated my iPad. It took about an hour from start to finish.
Our challenge this evening was to use Reeldirector. This is a movie format app which allows you to make "movies" with and for your students. Connie, Dave and I created this one as our project. It is a bit rough and needs more practice but I now have a good idea of how to use it.
I think I will try one on my own on isolation drills. If it turns out well, I'll post it here.
Our challenge this evening was to use Reeldirector. This is a movie format app which allows you to make "movies" with and for your students. Connie, Dave and I created this one as our project. It is a bit rough and needs more practice but I now have a good idea of how to use it.
Scroll up to the next entry to see the video.
I think I will try one on my own on isolation drills. If it turns out well, I'll post it here.
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
Fourth Night-Amazing
Wow, what an amazing evening. I think this was my favourite class so far. I'll tell you why later. It's later. First of all we each shared our favourite apps that we had looked up last week. While some of the apps were more appropriate for jr/senior high I found them all to be interesting. Dave O and I each selected a whiteboard app which would certainly be supportive for many students. I had seen Audiobooks before but I enjoyed hearing how others used it. Check out the links to my fellow classmates blogs for their lists after you look over mine. So much sharing. Then we looked at an app called Pictello. A youtube clip later, and with some help from Dave who created a one pager on Tim Hortons, we were sent off to create a project. Dave and I decided to do something useful: Firedrills. We were using iPods to complete this activity and in no time we had each created an instructive "Pictello" outlining the process students should follow in case the fire bell rings. This would be very useful for students who have difficulty in knowing how to respond when a fire alarm rings, for students who need to practice the procedures and to share with the class as a teaching tool. We shared our ideas win class: visual stories, steps to completing a mathematical operation, timelines, and how to procedures were a few ideas that were noted. Barb asked us to identify ten uses for Pictello. Mine included: firedrills, isolation drills, how to wash your hands, how to change for gym, how to line up at bus time, how to sit on a bus and follow the rules, how to tie your sneakers, how to read a book, how to find coordinates on a map, how to make peanut butter toast, how to say I am sorry and other visual stories. Dave and I also had time to view Reeldirector which may be a bit more challenging so I will practise ahead of time. Barb ended the class with the app Cookie Doodle. This app has many features including how to follow directions to create a digital cookie, how to eat it and the actual recipes for some of these cookies which would be great to try with students at school or for families to do together at home. It is amazing how the time flies.
Saturday, 15 October 2011
Apps, Apps and More Apps
There are so many apps available to teachers, students, and their parents as we help each develop his reading ability. I could probably spend days looking through these apps but the list below displays some of the apps that I was able to work through and believe would be beneficial for students at my school. Although most of these apps would appeal to younger readers I believe there is something here for all grade levels.
Voice Reader Text to Speech
$1.99
This is one of my favourite apps so far. Students are able to copy a piece of text from an iPad/ iPod screen and paste the text into the Voice Reader app. Select the play button and the text is read to a student. While there are a number of apps which contain novels and texts that students can listen too, this app enables students to read any text created on the screen that can be copied. It is amazing that such a valuable app is available at such a low cost. It would be helpful if provincial assessments could be created in a format that would work with this app to truly assess the student's ability to comprehend what he or she has read. Students can also use this app to read, hear and review assignments created by teachers that are sent by email to the student as audiofiles are created by this app.
Magnifying Glass
Free
This is a simple app with a great purpose, magnifying text for students with visual impairments. While there are many handheld devices that would serve the same purpose, it provides the students with the opportunity to read without the need to carry those devices or to appear to be using assistance. It is simple to use: activate the app which turns on the camera, hold it over the text and read. You can also take a picture of the text for later use. I can also see how this could be very useful for students in older grades who are developing map reading skills, as text on maps is often quite small. Students working in all subject areas would benefit from this app.
Word Dominoes
$0.99
This app is fun for the whole family.Various categories are available, some easier and some much more difficult. The user is challenged to connect two tiles at a time to form words based in word families such as colors or trees. It also has a more challenging second level called Bubbles where the word parts float and rotate at the same time. This might be more difficult struggling readers but would challenge those students who have reached a higher level of vocabulary development and word recognition.
Pocket Whiteboard
$0.99
Pocket Whiteboard is a very useful app for students. The iPad screen acts as a whiteboard and students are able to use the screen to complete tasks by using their finger or a stylus. Students can brainstorm ideas, answer questions posed by the teacher or other students, complete calculations or jot down thoughts or notes during class. This is particularly useful for students with pencil grip issues, difficulty in orally answering questions as the teacher is able to see the response or for students with short term memory concerns. Contrasting coloured pens allow for editing, highlighting, etc. I can see many uses for this app in our classrooms.
Mad Libs
Free
This another fun app for older readers Students are instructed create a list of words based on written cues. These words are then added to a story by "filling in the blanks" creating a story. This activity is often used by teachers to stimulate interest in a reading or writing activity and this app would certainly encourage reluctant readers/writers to see their own words in stories.
My Word Wall
$0.99
This iPhone app which also works on an iPad is designed to assist students to see, say, hear and write words. Using word families (a concept familiar to younger pupils) children are encouraged to drag and drop letters to form word families such as og or am. This beginning activity assists in the development of hand-eye coordination as the letter must be dragged to the exact spot in order to move on to the next step. Each letter is sounded out, as is the word root. Beginning letters are then added to the word roots and new vocabulary is created or reinforced. Simple sentences and animation assist with the development of comprehension skills. The app continuously reinforces successful completion of each activity and encourages students who might encounter difficulties.
I Like Books
Free
This app contains, at present, thirty seven I Like... stories for young or struggling readers. Each book is based on a theme such as animals, my grandpa or fall. Once a book is selected, students can read the story themselves or have it read to them. There is also an autoplay button where students are able to watch the book as it is read, rather than needing to electronically turn the pages forward or backward. This is a useful feature for students with physical difficulties which would make the turning of pages challenging. Each word is highlighted as the text is read. It is beautifully illustrated and each page allows for a great deal of discussion around the theme of the book.
Pocket Pond
Free
This is such an amazing and simple relaxation and transitional app. Students are taken to a pond with several types of fish swimming about the screen. Using a stylus or their finger, students are able to add more fish and other items. They can also flick the water, creating ripples and making the fish move away. This app is useful with developing eye-hand coordination and can be used for students who need a break from their more academic tasks or need a transition activity between tasks.
Starfall ABCs
$2.99
This fun app is used by beginner readers to see the shapes of the letters (both upper and lower case) and hear the sounds that they make. Select a letter from the blocks and both the upper and lower case letters are displayed. Pushing a button produces the sound. A series of objects that begin with that sound are then displayed, highlighting the sound and giving the student the opportunity to repeat the sound. Various simple letter combinations are also produced which allow the student to develop an understanding of vocabulary words such as on and off (a lamp illuminates and dims when you press on or off).
Bob's Books #1- Reading Magic
$1.99
This app provides lots of opportunities to students to learn to spell words in a fun and exciting way. Students are shown a picture and the letters appear at the bottom of the screen. Once the student clicks on the letter, the app pronounces the sound. When all of the letters are placed in their proper order, the word is pronounced and the animated picture becomes coloured. The app has several layers where the hints and assists become fewer and by the tine you reach the upper levels the student is expected to worked independently of prompts. This app can be used by young and beginner readers to develop vocabulary and phonological awareness. Students can increase the volume on the iPad and, using earphones, hear sounds without distracting others. This app is certainly worth the $1.99.
Dragon Dictation
Free
Students are able to see their spoken words become text using Dragon Dictation. Students will need to speak clearly for this app to work. Text can be saved, emailed and printed. This provides students who have difficulty in writing the text to put their thoughts on paper.
Voice Reader Text to Speech
$1.99
This is one of my favourite apps so far. Students are able to copy a piece of text from an iPad/ iPod screen and paste the text into the Voice Reader app. Select the play button and the text is read to a student. While there are a number of apps which contain novels and texts that students can listen too, this app enables students to read any text created on the screen that can be copied. It is amazing that such a valuable app is available at such a low cost. It would be helpful if provincial assessments could be created in a format that would work with this app to truly assess the student's ability to comprehend what he or she has read. Students can also use this app to read, hear and review assignments created by teachers that are sent by email to the student as audiofiles are created by this app.
Magnifying Glass
Free
This is a simple app with a great purpose, magnifying text for students with visual impairments. While there are many handheld devices that would serve the same purpose, it provides the students with the opportunity to read without the need to carry those devices or to appear to be using assistance. It is simple to use: activate the app which turns on the camera, hold it over the text and read. You can also take a picture of the text for later use. I can also see how this could be very useful for students in older grades who are developing map reading skills, as text on maps is often quite small. Students working in all subject areas would benefit from this app.
Word Dominoes
$0.99
This app is fun for the whole family.Various categories are available, some easier and some much more difficult. The user is challenged to connect two tiles at a time to form words based in word families such as colors or trees. It also has a more challenging second level called Bubbles where the word parts float and rotate at the same time. This might be more difficult struggling readers but would challenge those students who have reached a higher level of vocabulary development and word recognition.
Pocket Whiteboard
$0.99
Pocket Whiteboard is a very useful app for students. The iPad screen acts as a whiteboard and students are able to use the screen to complete tasks by using their finger or a stylus. Students can brainstorm ideas, answer questions posed by the teacher or other students, complete calculations or jot down thoughts or notes during class. This is particularly useful for students with pencil grip issues, difficulty in orally answering questions as the teacher is able to see the response or for students with short term memory concerns. Contrasting coloured pens allow for editing, highlighting, etc. I can see many uses for this app in our classrooms.
Mad Libs
Free
This another fun app for older readers Students are instructed create a list of words based on written cues. These words are then added to a story by "filling in the blanks" creating a story. This activity is often used by teachers to stimulate interest in a reading or writing activity and this app would certainly encourage reluctant readers/writers to see their own words in stories.
My Word Wall
$0.99
This iPhone app which also works on an iPad is designed to assist students to see, say, hear and write words. Using word families (a concept familiar to younger pupils) children are encouraged to drag and drop letters to form word families such as og or am. This beginning activity assists in the development of hand-eye coordination as the letter must be dragged to the exact spot in order to move on to the next step. Each letter is sounded out, as is the word root. Beginning letters are then added to the word roots and new vocabulary is created or reinforced. Simple sentences and animation assist with the development of comprehension skills. The app continuously reinforces successful completion of each activity and encourages students who might encounter difficulties.
I Like Books
Free
This app contains, at present, thirty seven I Like... stories for young or struggling readers. Each book is based on a theme such as animals, my grandpa or fall. Once a book is selected, students can read the story themselves or have it read to them. There is also an autoplay button where students are able to watch the book as it is read, rather than needing to electronically turn the pages forward or backward. This is a useful feature for students with physical difficulties which would make the turning of pages challenging. Each word is highlighted as the text is read. It is beautifully illustrated and each page allows for a great deal of discussion around the theme of the book.
Pocket Pond
Free
This is such an amazing and simple relaxation and transitional app. Students are taken to a pond with several types of fish swimming about the screen. Using a stylus or their finger, students are able to add more fish and other items. They can also flick the water, creating ripples and making the fish move away. This app is useful with developing eye-hand coordination and can be used for students who need a break from their more academic tasks or need a transition activity between tasks.
Starfall ABCs
$2.99
This fun app is used by beginner readers to see the shapes of the letters (both upper and lower case) and hear the sounds that they make. Select a letter from the blocks and both the upper and lower case letters are displayed. Pushing a button produces the sound. A series of objects that begin with that sound are then displayed, highlighting the sound and giving the student the opportunity to repeat the sound. Various simple letter combinations are also produced which allow the student to develop an understanding of vocabulary words such as on and off (a lamp illuminates and dims when you press on or off).
Bob's Books #1- Reading Magic
$1.99
This app provides lots of opportunities to students to learn to spell words in a fun and exciting way. Students are shown a picture and the letters appear at the bottom of the screen. Once the student clicks on the letter, the app pronounces the sound. When all of the letters are placed in their proper order, the word is pronounced and the animated picture becomes coloured. The app has several layers where the hints and assists become fewer and by the tine you reach the upper levels the student is expected to worked independently of prompts. This app can be used by young and beginner readers to develop vocabulary and phonological awareness. Students can increase the volume on the iPad and, using earphones, hear sounds without distracting others. This app is certainly worth the $1.99.
Dragon Dictation
Free
Students are able to see their spoken words become text using Dragon Dictation. Students will need to speak clearly for this app to work. Text can be saved, emailed and printed. This provides students who have difficulty in writing the text to put their thoughts on paper.
Free
Bookster is a read-along storytelling app that reads to kids, records and plays their voices, and teaches vocabulary along the way. Designed by educators to help kids of all ages develop literacy skills, Bookster makes beginning to recognize and read new words fun and easy for even the youngest of readers. Bookster has:
Entertaining illustrations
Engaging narration by kids their age
Read-and-record mode that records as they (or you) read out loud
Listen-to-recording mode that reads the book with their narration
Read-along mode that highlights words as they are read aloud, teaching word recognition and vocabulary
Easy-to-use interface
Turnable pages that let them move at their own pace
Interactive pages with tappable words
Entertaining illustrations
Engaging narration by kids their age
Read-and-record mode that records as they (or you) read out loud
Listen-to-recording mode that reads the book with their narration
Read-along mode that highlights words as they are read aloud, teaching word recognition and vocabulary
Easy-to-use interface
Turnable pages that let them move at their own pace
Interactive pages with tappable words
$0.99
The Reading Bug is a story about a little chameleon that is out to catch a new kind of bug: the Reading Bug! Join him as he travels his neighborhood trying to find someone to help him catch it.
It Features:
- Automatic navigation and narration for ease of use
- Narration Options: Child voice, adult voice or silent for self reading
- Automatic or manual page turn
- Helps early readers make connections between the words they hear and see
It Features:
- Automatic navigation and narration for ease of use
- Narration Options: Child voice, adult voice or silent for self reading
- Automatic or manual page turn
- Helps early readers make connections between the words they hear and see
$3.99
This app allows children to use their imaginations by giving them a chance to imagine it themselves, and ultimately, leading the child to tap the colorful dancing question marks and see the story appear as Dr. Seuss imagined it! From the GUFFS that go by to the BLOOGS in the sky, there is no limit to what Dr. Seuss THINKS up. . . Follow along with the great doctor, or THINK up your own THINKS in this fun interactive storybook app!
Three ways to read this omBook (Oceanhouse Media digital book):
1. "Read to Me" — listen to the narrated story with words highlighted as they are read
2. "Read it Myself" — read the book in its traditional form
3. "Auto Play" — plays like a movie, automatically reading and turning pages. Great for younger children!
1. "Read to Me" — listen to the narrated story with words highlighted as they are read
2. "Read it Myself" — read the book in its traditional form
3. "Auto Play" — plays like a movie, automatically reading and turning pages. Great for younger children!
$0.99
Do you find yourself reaching for your glasses every time you need to make a call? Then BIG Contacts is for anyone who has trouble reading the default text. The bold and condensed Helvetica font one of the easiest fonts to read, so you can use this app whenever you want to make a call, send an email, or send a text message.
Free
ABC Pocket Phonics Lite This app is three apps in one that can teach kids the following: Letter Sounds-Helps children learn to read by understanding the sounds that letters make. Letter Writing-Visually demonstrates how to write each letter.
First Words-Teaches how to sound out and spell over 170 frequently-used words. There’s about 20 words in the Lite version. The lite version is a free app that can be used to teach children who are beginning to learn how to read. The hands on writing application teaches kids how letters are written which kids will find very easy to use and enjoy.
First Words-Teaches how to sound out and spell over 170 frequently-used words. There’s about 20 words in the Lite version. The lite version is a free app that can be used to teach children who are beginning to learn how to read. The hands on writing application teaches kids how letters are written which kids will find very easy to use and enjoy.
Tuesday, 11 October 2011
Sharing Time
Tonight the members of the class shared their task analysis charts showing the development of the reading process.Each pair had something different to it, and yet the common threads were there including executive functioning, memory, the difficulty of the task, and how amazing that it is that so many of our students are able to read without adaptations and compensations.
Monday, 10 October 2011
Reading Process
It is certainly is amazing how we learn to read, that we learn to read, and certainly understand more fully how the process can break down in some many places. This makes the case even stronger for the use of AT to compensate for the lack of ability to develop fully the ability to read and comprehend fluently.
Well, that worked. Thanks to Connie for teaching me how to do these amazing things with my blog. I guess it just goes to show that we will face challenges and the unknown as we learn new things.
Well, that worked. Thanks to Connie for teaching me how to do these amazing things with my blog. I guess it just goes to show that we will face challenges and the unknown as we learn new things.
Saturday, 8 October 2011
Communication program for autistic students
Introduction to Proloquo2Go
Learning about Proloquo2Go
Using Proloquo2Go for communication
Learning about Proloquo2Go
Using Proloquo2Go for communication
2nd NIght
Connie and I spent most of the evening work on our task analysis of the reading process. Such quality professional discussions going on all around the room. It reminded me of the good old days with Earl Rutledge at the Teachers Centre. People were sharing their thoughts, challenging their own thinking and encouraging others. I certainly miss this kind of meaningful professional development. Barb was so enthusiastic as she presented the video on the brain. The brain is such an amazing and complex organ. Working through the process identified so many areas where the learning to read process can break down. It is amazing that we learn to do it. Our discussions were useful at a Program Planning team meeting the next morning as we were discussing the difficulty staff were having in support a young student who was struggling with the process. The program support teachers are so much more learned in this area but, due to the previous night's class, I was able to be more fully involved in the discussion. That alone makes the course worthwhile. I have some more work to do on the Inspiration piece for the analysis. It had been quite awhile since I had a purpose for using it. Being an administrator brings its own challenges and this course is a good reminder of classroom teacher/program support teacher concerns. It is also amazing how quickly the evening goes by. This is not my ultimate learning time but it has been great so far. Great instructor, great team members, fascinating subject. Who could ask for more?
Sunday, 2 October 2011
Saturday, 1 October 2011
Friday, 30 September 2011
Been Thinking
Been thinking a lot about the course and assignments. I have decided who will be the subject of my case study. Talked with mom and got the go-ahead. She is very excited that I am working with her daughter. I am especially interested in the use of iPads, appropriate apps and how to optimize my students' learning in both the learning centre and their classrooms. Have to do a presentation to the New Germany Lions' Club to explain how we are using the iPad that they purchased for our school. Getting a free dinner out of it. Off now to paint some walls, then youtube hunting re. iPads.
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
First Night
Attending the first night of the Assistive Technology course taught by Barb Welsford. Presented with lots of information and things to think about.
Monday, 19 September 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)