Technology is a huge part of my daily life. This list is the top ten tech tools that I can not live without.
1. iPhone
2. iPad
3. Laptop
4. Facebook
5. Twitter
6. Pinterest
7. YouTube
8. Email
9. Glogster
10. Wiki
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Week 6 - Mobile Apps
The following iPad apps can be used with special needs students.
1. ArtikPix
ArtikPix has flashcard and matching activities to address articulation difficulties. The activities include features such as recorded audio, voice recording, and data collection to help children with speech sound delays. Children use ArtikPix to practice sounds independently, with a speech-language pathologist or their parents.
ArtikPix has a total of 14 decks with 40 cards in each (560 total cards) for the following sounds: th, f, v, ch, sh, k, g, s, z, l, r, s-blends, l-blends, and r-blends.
In the flashcard activity, the sounds are organized by beginning, middle and ending position of words. The flashcards are arranged in an easy-to-use flick album. In the matching activity, the words are randomized in easy (3 pairs), medium (6 pairs), and hard (10 pairs) levels. The matching involves a fun game with animated sounds and motions.
2. ACT Spell
An education and therapy tool, Accessible Curriculum Tools - (ACT) Spell - has large implications for the special needs community, enabling facilitators to build custom user programs targeting specific vocabulary and assisting motor, visual and neurological skills. Clean and clear compared to many existing games and educational apps, it provides brilliance in its simple functionality and return to basics, where many in the special needs community need to start to train their motor/visual/executive function systems to align and work together.
3. Choiceboard Maker
ChoiceBoard Maker is the perfect app for creating customizable choice boards for the unique needs of individuals with communication challenges. It reinforces correct choice by expanding the selected image as well as playing the customized auditory rewards.
It is an excellent tool to train and prepare users for more sophisticated communication device via this easy, simple-to-use choice-making platform. The possibilities are as much as your creativity can go.
4. Sentence Builder for iPad
Sentence Builder is designed to help elementary aged children learn how to build grammatically correct sentences. Explicit attention is paid to the connector words that make up over 80% of the english language. Sentence Builder offers a rich and fun environment for improving the grammer of all children.
1. ArtikPix
ArtikPix has flashcard and matching activities to address articulation difficulties. The activities include features such as recorded audio, voice recording, and data collection to help children with speech sound delays. Children use ArtikPix to practice sounds independently, with a speech-language pathologist or their parents.
ArtikPix has a total of 14 decks with 40 cards in each (560 total cards) for the following sounds: th, f, v, ch, sh, k, g, s, z, l, r, s-blends, l-blends, and r-blends.
In the flashcard activity, the sounds are organized by beginning, middle and ending position of words. The flashcards are arranged in an easy-to-use flick album. In the matching activity, the words are randomized in easy (3 pairs), medium (6 pairs), and hard (10 pairs) levels. The matching involves a fun game with animated sounds and motions.
2. ACT Spell
An education and therapy tool, Accessible Curriculum Tools - (ACT) Spell - has large implications for the special needs community, enabling facilitators to build custom user programs targeting specific vocabulary and assisting motor, visual and neurological skills. Clean and clear compared to many existing games and educational apps, it provides brilliance in its simple functionality and return to basics, where many in the special needs community need to start to train their motor/visual/executive function systems to align and work together.
3. Choiceboard Maker
ChoiceBoard Maker is the perfect app for creating customizable choice boards for the unique needs of individuals with communication challenges. It reinforces correct choice by expanding the selected image as well as playing the customized auditory rewards.
It is an excellent tool to train and prepare users for more sophisticated communication device via this easy, simple-to-use choice-making platform. The possibilities are as much as your creativity can go.
4. Sentence Builder for iPad
Sentence Builder is designed to help elementary aged children learn how to build grammatically correct sentences. Explicit attention is paid to the connector words that make up over 80% of the english language. Sentence Builder offers a rich and fun environment for improving the grammer of all children.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Week 5 - Digital Citizenship
It is important to be a good digital citizen because what you do online and how you use technology has the potential to affect everyone. This is why it is important to practice good online habits.
Life online is what you make of it just as in real life. It is important to ensure that you have a safe online experience. Internet safety is key.
Maintaining a good online reputation is important as well. People will read what you post on the internet and use that information to make judgments about you. It is important to have a good online reputations because many job recruiters routinely use online reputation information when considering job applicants. In many cases online reputation is counted as one of the top selection criteria.
Life online is what you make of it just as in real life. It is important to ensure that you have a safe online experience. Internet safety is key.
Maintaining a good online reputation is important as well. People will read what you post on the internet and use that information to make judgments about you. It is important to have a good online reputations because many job recruiters routinely use online reputation information when considering job applicants. In many cases online reputation is counted as one of the top selection criteria.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Week 4 - Material Generators
Desktop publishing software
My students often use this material generator in their ACCESS classes. They are often times required to make brochures and use Microsoft Publisher to do so. We use Microsoft Publisher for other types of projects as well.
Whiteboard activity software
I use this material generator to provide visuals to my students while teaching. I always use the notebook on the smartboard to relay information to my students.
Worksheet and puzzle generators
I use this material generator to create worksheets or fun activities for my students as a review of skills that I have taught them. These help me to determine if the students understand the skills or if they need more practice.
My students often use this material generator in their ACCESS classes. They are often times required to make brochures and use Microsoft Publisher to do so. We use Microsoft Publisher for other types of projects as well.
Whiteboard activity software
I use this material generator to provide visuals to my students while teaching. I always use the notebook on the smartboard to relay information to my students.
Worksheet and puzzle generators
I use this material generator to create worksheets or fun activities for my students as a review of skills that I have taught them. These help me to determine if the students understand the skills or if they need more practice.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Week 3 - Instructional Software
Instructional Software is a general term for computer programs designed specifically to deliver or assist with the delivery of instruction on a topic.
Five Types of Instructional Software
1. Drill and Practice
Drill and practice software provides exercises in which students work example items one at a time and receive feedback on their correctness.
http://www.aaamath.com/
Features:
* Reinforce instruction by providing the repetition necessary to move acquired skills and concepts into long-term memory.
* Capture and retain the attention of students.
* Save teachers' time and efforts.
* Personalize instruction by meeting individual differences among learners.
Types of Instructional Software:
* ECS Keyboard
* Master and Facts Multiplication
2. Tutorial
A tutorial exposes the learner to material that is believed not to have been previously taught or learned. A tutorial often includes pre-test, post test and drill and practice activities.
http://mathandreadinghelp.org/math_tutorial_websites.html
Features:
* Follow linear programmed instruction or branching design.
* Encourage students to interact, control and response to the program.
* Guide the learner throughout learning fro the beginning to the end.
* Have computer-management capabilities
Types of Instructional Software:
* Ausian Sign Tutorial
* Food Hygiene
3. Simulation
A simulation is a computerized model of real or imagined system designed to teach how system works and allows learners to create their own sequence for using simulation.
http://www.smg2000.org/
http://kids.discovery.com/games/build-play/build-a-coaster
Features:
* Involve students into the learning process.
* Compress time or slow down process.
* Save money and resources.
* Make experimentation safe.
* Make impossible situation possible and controllable.
* Let student repeat events as many times as they want.
Types of Instructional Software:
* Infinite Physics Simulator
* Curvilinear
4. Instructional Games
Instructional games are courseware designed to motivate learning by adding game rules to learning activities.
http://www.kidsspell.com/
http://www.multiplication.com/games
Features:
* Make learning fun and motivating
* Motivate learners via the challenge of competition.
* Engage the learner in a situation where the learner is competing for a high score.
* Include elements of adventure and uncertainty.
* Provide different levels of complexity that match player's ability.
Types of Instructional Software:
* Save the Math Apples
*Jungle Jim and Donga Dinga Drums
5. Problem Solving
Problem-solving software is a type of content-free or content-based programs that places emphasis on critical thinking, analysis, logic, and reasoning via the presentation of set of data or problematic event.
http://www.kidsmathgamesonline.com/problemsolving.html
http://pbskids.org/games/problemsolving.html
Features:
* Stress thinking processes rather than correct answers.
* Expose students to a series of activities that would help teach the desired skills.
* Help students work together in small teams.
* Give students opportunities to see how information applies to actual problems.
* Vary the amount of direction and assistance depending on the student's needs.
Types of Instructional Software:
* StressAlyzer
*MS Excel
The following link has more information on instructional software
http://www.slideshare.net/alaasadik/types-of-instructional-software-presentation
Five Types of Instructional Software
1. Drill and Practice
Drill and practice software provides exercises in which students work example items one at a time and receive feedback on their correctness.
http://www.aaamath.com/
Features:
* Reinforce instruction by providing the repetition necessary to move acquired skills and concepts into long-term memory.
* Capture and retain the attention of students.
* Save teachers' time and efforts.
* Personalize instruction by meeting individual differences among learners.
Types of Instructional Software:
* ECS Keyboard
* Master and Facts Multiplication
2. Tutorial
A tutorial exposes the learner to material that is believed not to have been previously taught or learned. A tutorial often includes pre-test, post test and drill and practice activities.
http://mathandreadinghelp.org/math_tutorial_websites.html
Features:
* Follow linear programmed instruction or branching design.
* Encourage students to interact, control and response to the program.
* Guide the learner throughout learning fro the beginning to the end.
* Have computer-management capabilities
Types of Instructional Software:
* Ausian Sign Tutorial
* Food Hygiene
3. Simulation
A simulation is a computerized model of real or imagined system designed to teach how system works and allows learners to create their own sequence for using simulation.
http://www.smg2000.org/
http://kids.discovery.com/games/build-play/build-a-coaster
Features:
* Involve students into the learning process.
* Compress time or slow down process.
* Save money and resources.
* Make experimentation safe.
* Make impossible situation possible and controllable.
* Let student repeat events as many times as they want.
Types of Instructional Software:
* Infinite Physics Simulator
* Curvilinear
4. Instructional Games
Instructional games are courseware designed to motivate learning by adding game rules to learning activities.
http://www.kidsspell.com/
http://www.multiplication.com/games
Features:
* Make learning fun and motivating
* Motivate learners via the challenge of competition.
* Engage the learner in a situation where the learner is competing for a high score.
* Include elements of adventure and uncertainty.
* Provide different levels of complexity that match player's ability.
Types of Instructional Software:
* Save the Math Apples
*Jungle Jim and Donga Dinga Drums
5. Problem Solving
Problem-solving software is a type of content-free or content-based programs that places emphasis on critical thinking, analysis, logic, and reasoning via the presentation of set of data or problematic event.
http://www.kidsmathgamesonline.com/problemsolving.html
http://pbskids.org/games/problemsolving.html
Features:
* Stress thinking processes rather than correct answers.
* Expose students to a series of activities that would help teach the desired skills.
* Help students work together in small teams.
* Give students opportunities to see how information applies to actual problems.
* Vary the amount of direction and assistance depending on the student's needs.
Types of Instructional Software:
* StressAlyzer
*MS Excel
The following link has more information on instructional software
http://www.slideshare.net/alaasadik/types-of-instructional-software-presentation
Monday, January 28, 2013
Web 2.0
Before this web 2.0 assignment the only one of these websites that I had worked with was Glogster. This assignment taught be a lot. I can now use my new found knowledge in my classroom with my students. We will be using Animoto later this week :-)
VoiceThread - https://voicethread.com/share/4053234/
Glogster - http://bevillea.edu.glogster.com/ed505
Monday, January 21, 2013
Week 2 - Does Virtual Life Change Real Life
Does Virtual Life change “real” life?
My answer to this question is YES! Virtual life is changing "real life" interactions daily. The virtual world is a place where you can be whatever you want and do whatever you want when you want. Virtual life can make people feel different that they are and many get to live out fantasies through the virtual world through various websites.
Virtual life hurts people's communication skills. Many people are using face to face communication much less because they are communicating via the virtual world. This is a hindrance to people that are already shy. Instead of communicating face to face they hide behind their computer screens.
I have also found that virtual life hurts my students writing skills. I am currently an ACCESS Facilitator. I notice that my students automatically type in text format all the time. I have to continuously stress to them that it is acceptable to us that language when chatting with friends over social networks but not when communicating with your teachers. For my classes that I teach I deduct points for text language.
In essence I feel that virtual life will hurt real life only if we allow it to. We have to be sure to continue to communicate face to face and to not use text language when communicating with people other than our friends.
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