Thank you to my colleagues in this cohort and to Barb for making this course a positive, enjoyable learning experience.
Have a great summer!
Thursday, 19 July 2012
Final Thoughts
Taking this course has truly opened my eyes to the possibilities for providing students more access to literacy through the use of low, medium and high tech assistive technologies. What I have learned will make me question my practices as a resource teacher because I now know about so many tools, apps, strategies and software programs that I did not know about previously. I have learned not only how to use them but more importantly, where, when and why to use them and how they can provide remediation or compensation in any aspect of the reading or writing process.
I am most excited about how I can use the iPad and various apps to provide support to my students. Kids think the iPad is so cool and fun, so if I can use this motivation to my advantage than I will certainly put it to good use. But I am not just excited about apps alone. I have a student in mind already for using co-writer and can't wait to see how it helps her in the writing process.
I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to learn about how assistive technology can provide access to literacy for students who have been struggling with "traditional" methods and strategies. I am also excited to see where technology will take us in the future.
I am most excited about how I can use the iPad and various apps to provide support to my students. Kids think the iPad is so cool and fun, so if I can use this motivation to my advantage than I will certainly put it to good use. But I am not just excited about apps alone. I have a student in mind already for using co-writer and can't wait to see how it helps her in the writing process.
I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to learn about how assistive technology can provide access to literacy for students who have been struggling with "traditional" methods and strategies. I am also excited to see where technology will take us in the future.
Tuesday, 17 July 2012
Task Analysis for Writing
Breaking down the writing process into individual components is a very detailed process indeed. Like the reading process task analysis, it is overwhelming to see everything students need to be able to do simultaneously, to execute the action of writing. But by doing this analysis, it highlights specific areas in which students may need compensation or remediation. Deciding on an intervention depends on what aspect of the writing process needs support. When a particular aspect of the process can be identifies, we have made the first step in helping that student. The next step is to select the right tool or strategy to best help the student.
For a detailed analysis of the writing process including a discussion of remediation vs compensation and a list of apps, software, tools and strategies including where in the writing process they could help, see the following blog:
For a detailed analysis of the writing process including a discussion of remediation vs compensation and a list of apps, software, tools and strategies including where in the writing process they could help, see the following blog:
Below is a task analysis of the writing process
Monday, 16 July 2012
UDL Toolkit
UDL Toolkit
Check out this website for links to a large number of sites and tools that are designed for universal learning. They can be used by a wide range of students for a variety of purposes. They are universal because the way they are made allows for everyone to use them.
Check out this website for links to a large number of sites and tools that are designed for universal learning. They can be used by a wide range of students for a variety of purposes. They are universal because the way they are made allows for everyone to use them.
Readprint.com for audio books
Readprint.com
- Thousands of Free Online Books!
- Keep track of what you’ve read and books you’d like to read
- Discover new books and get recommendations
- Discuss books & join online book clubs & groups
- And, best of all...it is entirely FREE!
Trouble starting to write?
The Story Starter
How many times have you heard a student say "I don't know what to write about!"? If you are like me, somewhere, you have a binder of story starters...but where are they? Well, they are bookmarked on your computer (if you know about this site). The site generates interesting story starting sentences. If you don't like the one provided, no worries, simply click the mouse and a different one will be generated immediately.
This is great for students who simply draw a blank when it comes to writing or as a fun way to motivate a reluctant writer to begin. Follow the kink above to access the website. It looks like this:
How many times have you heard a student say "I don't know what to write about!"? If you are like me, somewhere, you have a binder of story starters...but where are they? Well, they are bookmarked on your computer (if you know about this site). The site generates interesting story starting sentences. If you don't like the one provided, no worries, simply click the mouse and a different one will be generated immediately.
This is great for students who simply draw a blank when it comes to writing or as a fun way to motivate a reluctant writer to begin. Follow the kink above to access the website. It looks like this:
Math Dictionary
Math Dictionary
Do you have a math wall in your classroom? What about a math dictionary? Are they too bulky and hard to find? Check out the above site for a virtual math dictionary. When a student doesn't know a math word, they are just a click away! Here is an example of one of the pages. You simply find the letter the word starts with, find the word, click on it and you are provided with a definition and an example.
Do you have a math wall in your classroom? What about a math dictionary? Are they too bulky and hard to find? Check out the above site for a virtual math dictionary. When a student doesn't know a math word, they are just a click away! Here is an example of one of the pages. You simply find the letter the word starts with, find the word, click on it and you are provided with a definition and an example.
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