Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Tweet Your Butt Off: A Brief Reflection on Using Twitter

"We need technology in every classroom and in every student and teacher's hand, because it is the pen and paper of our time, and it is the lens through which we experience much of our world." 

-David Warlick

Technology has become the world’s most advanced way of communication and education. Since being enrolled in this education course, I have learned some of the ins and outs of how technology is used in our generation's education system. From the use of SMART boards to Animoto to Blogger to even Glogger; they are all very useful tools to creating a very successful classroom. One of the assignments I felt to be most unique and relevant to our growing generations was the Twitter assignment. 

Twitter is one of our generations most widely known social media sites. While social media usage in the classroom was very much frowned back in my days as a student; with the new and improved technology we have now teachers look to social media as a way to better interact with our students. Twitter is based on much more than keeping connected with friends. I learned that Twitter can connect you to educators all over the world. Through my "tweeting", I was able to see many different educators and their various teaching methods. One fellow tweeter I found very inspiring was a SMART Exemplary educator and Certified Trainer from Greensboro,NC named Kelly Hines. I found many of her tweets to be very instructional and empowering for students. She believed in challenging students so that they could learn at their highest ability.


Another educator  that motivated me to further my technology skills was a Tech Professional Development Trainer from Manhattan, KS named Cyndi Danner-Kuhn. Cyndi tweets was one of many that caught my eye at first glimpse. Her Twitter was consumed with embedded  links, videos, and photos. She was very passionate with her Technology and Key posts. From teaching her followers how to manage iPad videos to her Pinterest pins; she made the love for technology and education KNOWN!



Public City Schools teacher Crista Anderson was another educator/tweeter who caught my attention over the course of this class. Focusing on collaboration and challenging students, her posts really made me realize that it is important to incorporate student on student work. I really took a lot at her methods and have applied them to my classroom; for example having a central website for the class and parents to go to, to see what we are working on and for students to hold discussions on. She also inspire most of my reasoning behind my mobile technology blog.



I also found the ED 5O5 Facebook page and Twitter hash-tag very useful when working my way through this course. Being out of school so long, I was incredibly lost when I read how technology based this class was going to be. The Facebook page gave me the chance to really see my peers and get the help I needed. As an educator, we all know that sometimes the best way to learn is from our peers. HAHA! The Twitter hash-tag gave me  the chance to see what my peers thought about each blog without having to read each and every classmates blog. It also gave them the opportunity to see my point of view of each blog. Every blog required a Twitter post embedded at the end of it. Two of my favorite tweets were:

and 


I can defiantly see myself using my new found knowledge of Twitter in my classroom. I love the concept of the hash-tag. My assignment for the course of the upcoming year is to have students create a separate Twitter account where they can tweet about my classes and assignments they are having trouble with. It will give me a personal way to help them learn as well as interact with them. The #ED505UWARAY hash-tag was absolutely the most useful hash-tag I have used this semester. Mostly because it kept me so highly aware of what was going on within the class. That is what I want to give my students in my future classes.


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Monday, July 15, 2013

Assistive Technology: Meeting the Needs of Learners With Disabilities


Not so much to do with assistive technology but definitely assistive...

Assistive technology has historically been thought of as the technology for individuals with disabilities. (Roblyer & Doering pg. 400) In recent years the definition has slowly changed and become much more widely distinguished. From cognitive problems to physical impairments, assistive technology (or better known as AT) is available to help individuals with many different forms of disabilities. While most only think of computers and software when referring to AT; assistive technology can also include mobility devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, and even keyboards.

With such widely ranging accommodations for learners with disabilities, its good to say a majority of teachers use this form of teaching. Below are various types of disabilities and gifts, I have dept with as a teacher for the past 15 years or so. Along with suggested websites or software; I will also include some pieces of hardware I found that enhanced learning for each type of disability.
  • Mild Disabilities - Mild disabilities are considered to be the most prevalent type of disability. They include everything from learning disabilities to serious emotional disabilities, and mental retardation. There are many characteristics for mild disabilities; some such as cognitive, academic, and social-emotional. Individuals dealing with this typically struggle the most with reading, writing, retention, and memory. Software products such as JumpStart Kindergarten or Renaissance Learning's NEO Writer are both very good products to use when trying to enhance their learning. Text-to-speech software products that help with communication includes the Apple iPhone app Speak It.
  • Moderate and Severe Disabilities - People with these types of disabilities need to focus on putting an incredible amount of effort into learning daily living skills. While doing some things like shopping, using public transportation, or maintaining personal hygiene may seem incredibly simple to us; it is a major accomplishment for people with this disabilities. A good software to use to help teach important functional skills is the Time, Money, and Fractions On-Track iPad app. An excellent hardware for these students to use is alternative keyboards, such as the Intellikeys keyboards. Alternative keyboards can be used to create customized keyboards. Keyboard keys can be enlarged, unimportant keys can be removed, and functions like printing, saving, and deleting can have their very own key. (Roblyer & Doering pg. 408) 
  • Physical Disabilities - Physical disabilities can hinder a person's mobility and agility. Individuals can struggle with some of the slightest of movements. While there are not many software to be used to help with this disability; there are many different types of hardware for a person with a physical disability to use. For example: joysticks and switches. Assistive technology involves a team of specialist when dealing with physical disabilities. 
  • Sensory Disabilities - These types of disabilities involve impairments associated with the loss of hearing and seeing. If a person losses his or her vision completely, they are classified as blind. Being blind does cause for a slight modification of technology being that the person cannot see what they are doing but with the invention of Braille; it has become much easier. Typically students use tools to convert printed information called, an optical character recognition (OCR) software. Being deaf also falls under sensory disabilities. Being deaf does not affect your brain and learning as much as other disabilities. In fact, deaf people typically do not have to modify their technology. An great hardware they use are an auditory feedback system.      
  • At-Risk Behaviors/Situations - Students at risk for school failure are not considered disabled in the sense of the federal requirements of disabilities. However, with their lack of success in school, they typically fall at the same levels of someone suffering from a disability.   
  • Gifts and Talents - The federal definition of gifted students was developed in the 1972 Marland Report to Congress, and has since been modified several times. Students with special gifts and talents typically fall into using the five Pyryt P's. The P's stand for pace, process, passion, products, and peers. Two good websites to go to that focuses in on passion is http://lt.umn.edu/geothentic and http://alienrescue.edb.utexas.edu. Social networking sites such as Facebook and Instagram are excellent sites to build peer relationships; which can sometimes be tough for gifted students. I have discovered that podcasts to multimedia products to documenting dramatization with technology can be a very good hardware for students to use as well.
Chapter 15 of Roblyer and Doering's book basically introduced its readers to the learning process of technology for special need individuals. When talking about special education the first thing that comes to mind are the various types of disabilities. What's classified as a disability? What is considered an impairment? Both of these terms have very distinct meanings. An impairment involves an abnormality or loss of function in a physical, anatomical, or psychological structure; while having a disability is the point when an impairment limits an individuals from performing an activity in a manner that would normally be expected of a human being. (Roblyer & Doering pg. 398) While it is highly recommended to encourage AT within the classroom setting, the school system was not always that supportive. The Technology-Related Assistance Act for Individuals with Disabilities, was passed in 1988 in efforts to provide statewide funding for both systems and services to provide assistive technology devices. (Roblyer & Doering pg. 400)With things like American Sign Language and Universal Design coming into play, AT has not only found its way into inclusive classrooms but also the homes of many disabled individuals. 
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Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Glog Your Way Through Literature: Web 2.0 Resources

"Most of us cannot remember a time when cell phones and text messaging were not the norm; when we couldn't "Google" something we did not understand; or a time when emailing was not a daily activity." -Roblyer and Doering


Technology is forever changing and growing over time. What's new and creative today will "old-fashion" to our grand kids. Haha! That's exactly what Roblyer and Doering discussed in chapters 7 and 8. The two individuals discussed the history of education and how technology is also causing it to evolve with great exceptions. The Internet as a whole has become much more broader over the course of the past decades. You can basically personalize anything you like now.

Although the term Web 2.0, an Internet trend that puts the authorship of online content into the hands of a websites' users,has become very common in educational circles. (Roblyer & Doering pg.225) Social networking sites (such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Blogger) are all based upon building communities around individually designed web pages. These pages consist of personal profiles, blogs, photo slideshows, music, videos, and various links to other social profiles and comments. While reading chapter 6, 7, and 8; I became fascinated with the entire concept of Web 2.0 and all the possible contributions it could bring to my classroom.

I found that Glogster is a very useful tool when creating a lesson plan or assignment web page for students. Glogster EDU is an online website where teachers can go in and create student freely assignments. These assignment pages can be as personalized and detailed as possible. Typically, they include step by step instructions, a detail description of the assignment, photos, and videos.The background layout can also be chosen by the instructor. Chapter 6 supported my thoughts about letting children create presentations themselves. There are plenty instructional software out there to help show individuals how to work things such as blogs and etc. I have found tutorials to be extremely handy. Tutorials can describe and explain how a task works. (Roblyer &Doering pg.174) 





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Tuesday, July 2, 2013

There's an App For That: Grab Your Technology and GO!

Technology is forever evolving! As the upcoming generations become more active, technology becomes more and more of an "on-the-go" source of connection. There has become a need to be able to connect to a wireless connection everywhere you go. 

One of the most widely evolved source of technology is the Apple Company. Founded April 1, 1976 in Cupertino, California by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. The first creation made by Apple was the Apple I personal computer kit. The wooden-like kits was primarily hand-built by Wozniak himself. The product was placed on shelves for sale in July of 1976 (only three months after the company was established). The standard market price was $666.66. 
That wooden computer was only the start of something amazing. By 1998, Apple had fully evolved, and the iPod and iPhone was developed. Over the course of the century, Apple has always stayed ahead of the game; creating some of the most advanced technology. From iPhones to iPads to MacBooks to now iPod Capsules and I Watches, the world of Apple has become an obsession of the universe. Below is a short video depicting Apple's announcement of their new product, iBooks.



When it comes down to technology, such as iBooks being added into the classroom, we will take a very pro stand. In my opinion, technology is one of the best methods to learning. While we do encourage traditional based learning to ensure students learn the proper way to communicate; we also put excellent emphasis on the involvement of technology in the workplace. Employment is centered around how technology friendly individuals are these days. It is important for teachers to inform and instruct students on how to properly use it. I make sure various forms of technology is included in my classroom. From Smart Boards to iPads to clickers to even virtual flashcards; I make sure every student's style of learning is tended to.

With the launch of the iBook app, I feel as if students will have no excuse on why they did not read or do their homework. Apps are becoming technology's newest companion to connecting smartphones to the world. App is an abbreviation for application, and normally has an extension of .app on the file. (Roblyer &Doering) While the Apple brand of products have apps ranging from healthy and beauty to workout; they also have educational apps. Students have access to apps such as:
  • Mathematics and Science Apps - Typically math apps are in the form of flashcards for the younger learners. As they move up they start to process in to multiple choice and "type the answer". Same goes with science apps. iPads and other Apple products have great science article based apps for students of all ages to use in the classroom. With STEM becoming so heavily involved in the school systems, its important to encourage students to use the STEM apps properly as well. Most come along with virtual projects. The Mathematics Handbook app is very good for showing students the process to working out problems the correct way. 
  • Social Studies Apps - Social Studies is never important within the school system. Everyone has heard the phrase, "If you don't know your past, how can you plan for your future." When teaching social studies there are a few useful apps out there. GED flashcards are a good app for older individuals, while younger students tend to use apps such as: World Book, US History Timeline, and The Presidency app when learning all the past and present presidents. People tend to suggest using the Praxis II app for college students when studying for that version of the tests.
  • Music and Art Apps - It's no secret that traditional education is extremely important, but its also very essential that we include music and art into our lessons. Some examples of good music and art apps includes: the drawing pad, which typically is better on iPads or tablets, and Discover Musical Instruments where you can learn to play everything from the piano to the guitar. There are even apps that can take you on virtual field trips of museums, create movies, and editing music together.   
  • English and Language Arts Apps - Proper grammar and punctuation is one of the important factors when teaching a child; partly because you use it the most in everyday life. You must know how to hold a proper conversation and write a paper. I found that the Spelling Word app and Words With Friends, are two good apps to help kids build vocabulary and their spelling abilities. Sentence Builder is very good for helping with grammar and punctuation. 


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