Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Week 8-Twitter Reflection

Microblogging is the act of posting very short messages as a status update. These messages can be shared via: Twitter, Facebook, Instragram, SMS messages, and much more. Microblogging has made communication so much easier today. We have the opportunity to post feelings, personal, news, etc. status to share all across the world. We also have the option of choosing our followers, and controlling the privacy of our pages. The reason why I love to microblog is because I get to connect with my family, friends, old classmates, teachers, celebrities, etc.

May 2013 when I signed up for ED505 I had no idea that I would be using this much technology for one class. I use technology for my daily use, but this class really incorporated so much into my learning path. Then when I founded out that we had to tweet and blog weekly, I knew this was going to be a challenging semester. I was never a fan of Twitter so this was my first time ever using Twitter, so I was like a new kid on the block. As I learned to use Twitter I see what some of my other network friends meant when they said things about tweets. Now using Twitter I have founded so much beneficial lessons, information, different technologies to use, and much more that I could use for my work and personal life.

Twitter lets you use hash tags to search for any idea you may want to find in the search bar. We have millions of different followers that cover so many areas of subjects. Overall, Twitter is the place to find EVERYTHING and you will love it. Below are some tweets I founded interesting. Enjoy…..











This is how I feel today: (smiling)
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Sunday, July 14, 2013

Week 7-Assistive Technology

Assistive technology is basically extending the abilities of an individual in ways that provides sensory and physical access. Assistive technology is the kind of tool and technology that supports anyone with disabilities such as: building communication with others, partaking in activities and much more. People with special needs learn to live an independent lifestyle with the help of assistive technology. Nowadays, there are so many technologies to help with special education, but I still sometimes worry. I worry on the thought of children and adults that lacks the technology and support to help them. Assistive technology is broadly used and needed in the following ways: personal care, work equipment, helps with school, recreation, reading, writing, seeing, hearing, mobility, and communication are to name a few. The federal law of the United States classify disability as: deaf, speech impaired handicapped, health impairment and much more. (Roblyer & Doering, 2013).

For special education “teachers also need to know what they don’t know regarding technology in their content area. Research is required to acquire this knowledge along with time and professional development to understand the procedural knowledge of using the technology (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p. 413).” As technology continues to grow for special education the learning needs meets’ the requirements. Technology in special education is defined as: mild disabilities, moderate and severe disabilities, physical disabilities, sensory disabilities, at-risk behaviors/situations, and gifts and talents (Roblyer & Doering, 2013).

When it comes down to assistive technology for special education, “the general goal is always the same: to harness the potential of technology in ways that offer an individual with a disability increased opportunities for learning, productivity, and independence opportunities that otherwise would not be available (Robyler & Doering, 2013, p. 400).


Mild disabilities: considered to be the most prevalent type of disability that includes: writing, reading, and mathematics. The key is to balance remediation of skill deficits with activities that help develop more creative and higher level thinking skills.

Website: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/artikpix-full/id356720379?mt=8
Hardware: MathTalk and Coin-U-Lator


Moderate disabilities: software that is available to help teach important functional skills.

Website: AbleNet
Hardware: Enabling Devices and RIDBC Auslan Tutor


Physical disabilities: provides training to ensure the student is able to operate independently, and identify appropriate tools for access and control that will allow the individual to function across environments: home, school, community, and work.

Website: Bloom
Hardware: Several useful links-
AbleData
Dragon
AbleNet


Sensory disabilities: for individuals that are blind, visually impaired, and who are hearing impaired. Just to name a few: the blind uses screen readers and canes; visually impaired uses closed-circuit television (CCTV), and built in computer screen magnification; hearing impaired uses FM amplification systems.

Website: Tap-n-See Zoo and Articulation Station Pro
Hardware: Several useful links-
JAWS
Video Magnify
Enable Mart


At-Risk Behaviors/Situations: provides immediate feedback on performance quizzes and instructional materials. Also, includes powerful websites and software’s for engaging in learning activities.

Website: Awana
Hardware: Don Johnston Assistive Technology


Gifts and Talents: provide tools such as: multimedia presentations, web page design, portfolios, document learning experiences, in self-direct research, and many more. These students’ falls under the category of the Pyryt’s Ps: pace, process, passion, product, and peer when determining gifted and talent students.

Website: National Association for Gifted Children
Hardware: Duke TIP




References:

Roblyer, M. D., & Doering, A. H.  (2013). Integrating educational technology into           
            teaching.  Boston, MA:  Pearson Education, Inc.

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Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Week 6-Web 2.0 Resources

When I think of Web 2.0 I instantly think of websites such as: Facebook.com, Bebo.com, and Myspace.com where you connect with family, friends, and superstars across the world. Growing up as a teenager with my cousins and friends I grew to love the Bebo.com website and later met Myspace.com. Users get to design their page, upload videos, upload pictures, and post comments. It was not until after my high-school graduation as a freshman in college in the year 2008 when I became a Facebook.com.

Simply a “Web 2.0 is an Internet trend that puts the authorship of online content into the hands of a websites’ users, has become very common in educational circles, what educators are hearing more about today are discussions around social networking (Robyler & Doering, 2013, p.225).”

Educators today has all benefited from Web 2.0 resources. Teachers incorporate Web 2.0 resources through their educational plan and teaching by: web-casting, blogs, videos, etc. Nowadays educators and teachers must stay up-to-date with technology, web resources, and tools that can help improve your classroom teaching. Students just love classroom interaction that includes videos, such as YouTube. As an educator we must stay current with the next generation.


Below you will find videos and information regarding children coloring. The name of my project is: “Color Me Perfect.” Just for kids! Jump on!




Try our slideshow maker at Animoto.

Color Barney

Why Do We Color?

Early Childhood Coloring Information







 References:

Robyler, M.D., & Doering, A.H. (2013). Integrating educational technology into teaching. Boston,
                MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

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Monday, July 1, 2013

Week 5- Mobile Technology & Applications

“The internet has made such a difference in our society that it is difficult to remember when we did not depend on it for communications, instruction, and even entertainment. Yet today’s educational uses of the Internet bear little resemblance to its original purpose (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p.214).” Furthermore, the most powerful tools on the Internet today are some of the following: wikis, podcasts, social networking, video sharing, and much more.

Using the iPad can improve reading skills. Improvements in the following areas: finding facts, identifying the main ideas, enhance a student’s reading skills, influence in writing skills, and learning and understanding vocabulary terms. I found that highlighting text in readings can be very helpful for kids. Highlighting can be used as: a pre-reading strategy, main ideas of the article or story, review questions, and can be changed to a variety of colors. Math apps for the iPads can be used outside of school to practice. Whereas, learning fractions, time tables, or even geometry can be difficult learning based on hand-written notes. I think when kids get a chance to look at videos with the teacher going over the work are so much better. Ten mathematics standards for students: numbers and operations; algebra, geometry; measurement; data analysis; probability; problem solving; reasoning and proof; communication and representations. Two forms of language learning: foreign language learning and second language learning. Resources a student can use to help improve language learning: learning games on handheld devices, language labs, radio broadcasts, translation websites/devices, and podcasts. “Technology opens the doors of modern language classrooms to students with diverse needs because it allows access to the curriculum as well as information about language and culture (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p.292).”


Bringing tablets, iPods, and iPads in the classroom will forever change a classroom environment. Students will feel that they could play games, listen to music, etc. when on these sorts of devices in the classrooms. However, the apps will be beneficial to a child’s need. Apps and games today help to develop a child’s critical and analytical skills which is a plus for their future (Roblyer & Doering, 2013).

*Effective teaching with the iPad: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9RiZIwfbKzE#at=91


I personally feel that iPads and tablets used in the classroom are beneficial in the following ways: equal learning opportunities, learning tool, engage students more, children with no computers at home a chance to stay current with technology, and much more. I honestly believe we can all say and agree that technology is the future of our education (young and old that is continuing education) (Roblyer & Doering, 2013). Technology is responsible for enhancing a student’s basic skills, communication skills, and success. Also, technology should never be used to replace a teacher, but to enable them. Technology is known to have its own magic and is drastically changing the people’s view and education.

*Using the iPad in the classroom:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K11LUjT_fL4


Below are a few beneficial educational apps that I founded for kids. These apps can be used for the classroom or at home:


Language development (foreign/second language): 
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tiga-talk-speech-therapy-games/id412024533?mt=8app 

Help children who are in the beginning stages of speaking, learning how to make 23 core phonetic sounds through playful voice games to improve their speech. App is designed for preschoolers and up. App can be used to improve and teach in the following areas: language development.

 Math:
 http://bestappsforkids.com/2013/02/doodle-learning-maths/

App is designed for second-graders and up. Children can practice basic math skills (addition, subtract multiplication, division), and working with large numbers. App features multiple levels, graphics, sound effects, reset button for new players, and builds speed in working out problems. App is used to improve and teach the following areas: math.


Language Arts: 

App is designed for preschoolers-elementary students. Children can practice long and short vowels, blends, diagraphs, r-controlled vowels, words ending with le, and much more. App features: tutorials, voice over play directions, multiple players, and over three levels of difficulty. App is used to improve and teach in the following areas: language arts.

Reading:

App is designed for toddlers and up. Children are taught: to develop literacy, recognize and read new words. This is a read-along storytelling app that records and plays children voices, teaches vocabulary, and the ability to share videos.



Reference:
Roblyer, M. D., & Doering, A. H. (2013). Integrating educational technology into teaching (6th ed.).
                Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon Publishers.

                


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