This Is It!
The time has come to say goodbye! I am amazed by all the things that I learnt to do in the past three weeks. Assistive Technology does not scare me anymore. I am pumped about the idea of utilizing different apps and software in my daily teaching. In the upcoming academic year, my priority will be to make sure that all my students are engaged in their learning.

Three weeks ago, I did not know how to blog. I had never heard of Kurweil, Co-Writer, and Paper Helper.Three weeks ago, I was not considering buying an iPad or even letting my students use their iPod touch or iPhone during class. Today, I am happy to report that I can see the many advantages of assistive technology in the classroom. My job is to educate my students by any means (legal) necessary.

The most valuable lesson I learnt in this course is not to take my students ability to read and write for granted. The reading and writing analysis assignments we had to complete for the course opened my eyes to the complexities behind both task. I will have to be particularly conscientious about this fact at the school I will be teaching at in September. Many of my students are non-Anglophone. English is their second or third language. It will be fascinating to see how they are going to fare in my French classes. I hope to find effective French Apps and software to make their learning of another language less intimidating.

First Words International HD 

 

Living Language French (US$19.99)

 


 

Kurweil (July 16, 2012)

 What an incredible tool. I just wish that the HRSB would put more money into buying software that will improve learning. Students cannot learn effectively in schools that do not have the necessary tools/programs to help them. I do not care how much it cost. Teachers or parents should not have to use their personal time to fundraise moneys to purchase programs that will enhance students’ learning. Kurweil is effective, and the Board knows it. Are they lying when they (HRSB officials) say that all students can learn or do they only want certain students to learn?

I like Kurweil 3000 because it provides various reading, writing and studying tools to students who are not performing well because of learning disabilities. My favorites are the read aloud and bubble notes. IPP students (Social Studies) would be more independent if they could use the read aloud built in dictionary.

 

Benefits of Kurweil

Text to Speech

Digital documentation

Dictionary

Word recognition (can input words from text into a dictionary)

Etc.

What can be done with Kurweil

1) Create a visual dictionary

2) Keep track of reading fluency (words per minute)

3) Tests/Quizzes (Reading Comprehension – one of my favorite

4) Store documents in the Universal library

5) Read test questions aloud

 

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Universal Design for Learning (UDL): is an educational framework based on research in the learning sciences, including cognitive neuroscience that guides the development of flexible learning environments that can accommodate individual learning differences.” (Wikipedia)

 When I read the definition of UDL the article Supporting Struggling Readers in Secondary School Science classes came to mind. Reading comprehension is not just happening in English Language Arts classes anymore- it made its way into science classes. Curriculum makers and teachers alike have no other choice but to find ways to make learning accessible to all (LD and non-LD).

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 This class is definitely going to help me improve my teaching next year. Technology can be scary at times (for me), but it certainly can help improve students’ learning. Another tool at the disposal of teachers and students is: Udltechtoolkit. Below is a list of my top 5

 1) Character Scrapbook:  This tool can foster creativity in students while reinforcing writing and reading skills. Whit the Character Scrapbook, students can write short sentences (10 things they know about the character they created). This tools can help build up students’ vocabulary (use of descriptive words). This software is fun and engaging.

2) ReadWriteThink Webbing Tool: This tool is similar to inspiration, but much easier to use (fewer visual distractions). ReadWriteThink Webbing will help students organize their ideas prior to completing a specific task. Who said that graphic organizer had to be complicated in order to be effective. This tool can help students who are visual learners and/or have difficulties organizing their ideas (brain to paper)

   

3) Glogster: Is an amazing tool. I learnt about this tool last summer and utilized it to create some of my assignments. Glogster help students create poster without having to use Bristol board. It is a better version of Power Point (personal opinion). Glogster allows students to input (audio and pictures). Many students do not have the ability or interest to create effective poster (not artistic). Glogster does it for them.

4) FotoBable: This tool can be use by students who have difficulties relaying what is on an image in the written form. FotoBable includes talking-photos or slides. Teachers can also use it to give out instructions or daily announcements (visual and audio)

 

5) YakiToMe: This tool includes text to speech. It is available in languages such as English, French or German. Students can download audio or podcast (MP3 compatible) into the program. Finally, students or teachers can use the text readers to convert text to speech. I do like the fact that students can read and share their text (work) with others. This tool is FREE.

  

Research Document on Text-to-Speech (2007)

http://www.innovativelearning.ca/assistivetech/resources/texttospeechpresentation.pdf 

Blog (July17)

 The writing process is extremely demanding, and complex has the reading process. Students must follow a series of steps if they want to be effective writers. As alluded to in a previous blog … not all students learn the same. Personally, I do not enjoy writing because it requires a way to much brain energy. Unlike many of the other students, in this course, my brain contains various languages and ways of conveying information. French was my main mean of written communication for twenty plus years. It was and still is difficult for me to transmit what I am thinking and want to say in English. Everything sounds right in my head until it reaches the paper (typed format). A basic assignment such as writing a two page film review becomes a two to three day affairs (3-4 edited version of one assignment). In order to keep up with the English writing I had to rely on various tools such as the dictionary, thesaurus, spell check and grammarly.com. I cannot image, based on what we have been learning thus far about the writing process, how LD students feel when confronted with any writing task. I am so glad that there are so many Assistive technology tools (Apps and software) that LD students and/or EAL students can utilize to improve their writing skills. Students want their voice to be heard. Unfortunately, many of them are not heard because they do not have effective writing communication skills.

 During class, today, I do not understand why some people believe that using programs like co writer is cheating. How can program or software makes one less intelligent then one who do not require assistive technology? I often use grammarly.com before I submit any written work. Does it make me a cheater? I do not think so! Grammarly does not write my papers for me. This program tells me where my weaknesses are and helps me find, most of the time, alternative ways of saying what is on my mind. Co writer does the same for LD students. Prior knowledge and the ability to decode, select and organize information are still required.

What I would like to learn?  I would like to know how to decode (analyze) students’ hand writing and mine. In the past, I often assumed that some of my students wrote in illegible ways because they did not know how to spell words properly. They probably assumed that I would overlook the words that I could not read. These kids would often lose points because their poor writing skills did not allow me to understand what they were trying to say (text clarity is part of the rubric). I should have allowed these students to rewrite their text (in class) using the computer or voice to text app.

How Should We Teach Our Children To Write?

http://www.howtotutor.com/cursive.htm

Inspiration: Reading Process Analysis

Inspiration reading process analysis with apps

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This graphic organizer is going to help me adap 

10 Apps & Reading Process

 Blog: 10 Apps & Reading Process

 This activity was a significant eye opener. While looking at several reading comprehension Apps, one has no other choice but to realize that nobody learns the same way. Students in one class can be at different stages of the reading process. It is becoming more and more crucial for educators to find alternative ways to teach reading. Reading should be enjoyable … not feared. In the PowerPoint below, one can learn about 11 Apps (technology) that can engage all learners in their learning.

Assignment 2 10 apps kdal

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Webinars

The most frustrating part of the presentation was not the long wait, but the anxiety that took over me when I had to use the Professor’s Mac laptop. Mac does make me nervous!! It would have been best to try the Apps before today's presentation. Unfortunately, my partners and I do not have IPad. I think it is time for the other tablets creators to update their Apps and keep up with Apple. I would like to know what other tablets (i.e. Blackberry playbook or Samsung) can do to help LD students be successful learners. Many students need to use technology to be engaged in their learning. I need to familiarize myself with the various technological tools (not just Apple) that can help improve my delivery of curricula.



Webinar: New Apps in Action for LD/ Power Point Link

New apps in action for ld[1]

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Here is a list of the two Apps I am looking forward to learning more about (based on today’s presentations)

1) Dragon Dictation: I did like the fact that the verbal input will be converted into text. This App can make it easier for students to quickly record their thoughts (recall deficit).

2) Maps: This App is fantastic. I wish I had known about it when I was teaching the five themes of geography (Social Studies). I like the fact that one can quickly view where a building is located and its surroundings.

Inspiration (Runny Nose)

 Inspiration (Brain processor)

 The action of blowing one’s nose is not as easy as it looks. One follows various processes (unknowingly) to execute one basic action or skill. One needs to use different parts of their brain. I am so glad that I do not have to think about the entire different steps one should follow prior to, during and post any actions that one makes in the span of a day. It will be too exhausting. My able-bodied self often forgets that many other individuals do not have the ability to complete basic tasks/skills without assistance or cues. An individual who suffers from Alzheimer may not remember what tools to use when they need to wipe their nose. They might revert to letting the mucus run down. I am grateful that I am able to read and write without too much difficulty. I am grateful that my brain is intact. I am grateful that not all bodies are able because it teaches empathy for others and acceptance of diversity.

Runny nose

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How The Brain Works