Hey it was great to learn about all of our schools in our board and all
of the great things that are happening with AT. It is amazing how much
it is helping our students and how much we have to MAKE teachers aware
of the benefits of AT for all of our students.. I truly wish you, Barb
could have a few more courses on PowerPoint and high needs APSEA Assistive
technology through Acadia, as I would love to have a masters in Assistive
Technology....as only part of it is to decide on the technology but you
need someone on the school side to implement it and set up assignments or
even scan books into Kurzweil which takes so much time.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
April 1 Boardmaker and video
Perhaps fascinating isn't the right word but it is first word that came
to mind with the video we saw in class. YOutube is one thing, but CNN
interviewing the autistic lady is yet another. I know we are all
intrigued with the autistic students we work with and would love to
know what is going on entirely under that shell. Each student is
entirely unique and the talents they have and how they express their needs.
I think creating the boardmaker go-talk pictures would definitely help
the autistic student we have with communicating his needs and feelings
and then perhaps getting to the iTouch with Proloquo to go as Barb has
mentioned to me. I agree as he has an understanding of the computer and
can say what he wants in an email to his dad even though sometimes
it doesn't make any sense. Someone usually emails him back and asks what
he means by that and he is able to straighten it out in words on the computer.
I look forward to creating this boardmaker project and it is a lot harder
than I thought it would be. You hav3e to take into consideration so many aspects
of the child's life in order for the device to be useful for the specific child.
to mind with the video we saw in class. YOutube is one thing, but CNN
interviewing the autistic lady is yet another. I know we are all
intrigued with the autistic students we work with and would love to
know what is going on entirely under that shell. Each student is
entirely unique and the talents they have and how they express their needs.
I think creating the boardmaker go-talk pictures would definitely help
the autistic student we have with communicating his needs and feelings
and then perhaps getting to the iTouch with Proloquo to go as Barb has
mentioned to me. I agree as he has an understanding of the computer and
can say what he wants in an email to his dad even though sometimes
it doesn't make any sense. Someone usually emails him back and asks what
he means by that and he is able to straighten it out in words on the computer.
I look forward to creating this boardmaker project and it is a lot harder
than I thought it would be. You hav3e to take into consideration so many aspects
of the child's life in order for the device to be useful for the specific child.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Communication Devices
I thought the demonstrations and the skits were a great indication
of what these devices can do and how they can include a child that was
not able to be included in class before. Just imagine not
being able to be included in a game of duck duck goose... I would never
have thought that the plexi glass board was so intense to use. That user
has to have a lot of patience. I joked about the recordable button, but
seriously it is a great tool for students who need to get someone's attention.
The Go Talk is great and we can't wait to try it with Joel to see if he
can use this instead of yelling to get someone's attention. I like the idea
of the choices and the pictures from boardmaker. That takes out a lot of the
guessing games when you are trying to figure out what Joel is saying.
Our iTouch proloquo to go experience has been inspiring to us as well as
the students in Ben's class. The other day we were talking about how he holds
it so Thurs and Friday I paid close attention and before it was in one hand and
using the other to type, NOW I noticed it is in one hand and the thumb of that
hand is the typing finger. He manipulates it so well, and now we have been able to speed up the communication time between Ben and whoever he is talking to by putting
BEN phrases in his school Chat or home chat...I thought I would show more about this on Presentation day....
of what these devices can do and how they can include a child that was
not able to be included in class before. Just imagine not
being able to be included in a game of duck duck goose... I would never
have thought that the plexi glass board was so intense to use. That user
has to have a lot of patience. I joked about the recordable button, but
seriously it is a great tool for students who need to get someone's attention.
The Go Talk is great and we can't wait to try it with Joel to see if he
can use this instead of yelling to get someone's attention. I like the idea
of the choices and the pictures from boardmaker. That takes out a lot of the
guessing games when you are trying to figure out what Joel is saying.
Our iTouch proloquo to go experience has been inspiring to us as well as
the students in Ben's class. The other day we were talking about how he holds
it so Thurs and Friday I paid close attention and before it was in one hand and
using the other to type, NOW I noticed it is in one hand and the thumb of that
hand is the typing finger. He manipulates it so well, and now we have been able to speed up the communication time between Ben and whoever he is talking to by putting
BEN phrases in his school Chat or home chat...I thought I would show more about this on Presentation day....
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Board maker books
I enjoyed viewing the Board maker books and think they will
all be useful to all of our students. I was at class on the 18th
of Februray I just meant that I hadn't gone on that Sunday morning to
reflect on the class because I was at a conference.
All of these programs are so practical and useful and I think all
teachers should take this course so they are aware of the wide
variety of software out there for all students. Using some of
these programs with our students really opens up their worlds. I know
and see the difference in Joel with Ian using the Smart board with him allowing
him to explore it and draw on it. It also gives the students in that class
an opportunity to see Joel and his talents at work.
all be useful to all of our students. I was at class on the 18th
of Februray I just meant that I hadn't gone on that Sunday morning to
reflect on the class because I was at a conference.
All of these programs are so practical and useful and I think all
teachers should take this course so they are aware of the wide
variety of software out there for all students. Using some of
these programs with our students really opens up their worlds. I know
and see the difference in Joel with Ian using the Smart board with him allowing
him to explore it and draw on it. It also gives the students in that class
an opportunity to see Joel and his talents at work.
Power Point
The choose it maker projects were great and it is interesting to
see the various subjects we all chose and how we tried to identify
with the students we are working with from grade 1 to grade 11.
I was impressed with the animation we used in the powerpoints. That was
fun and with some practice I think we could make some great projects/
assignments for our students. I really enjoy this course with all
the hands on projects that we can take and use in our classes.
I am trying to comment on other blogs but recently it asks me what my
google account is, and I don't have one. Is anyone else having this difficulty?
I will ask for some assistance on this on Wed..... Thanks
see the various subjects we all chose and how we tried to identify
with the students we are working with from grade 1 to grade 11.
I was impressed with the animation we used in the powerpoints. That was
fun and with some practice I think we could make some great projects/
assignments for our students. I really enjoy this course with all
the hands on projects that we can take and use in our classes.
I am trying to comment on other blogs but recently it asks me what my
google account is, and I don't have one. Is anyone else having this difficulty?
I will ask for some assistance on this on Wed..... Thanks
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Switch types
Sunday morning is my time to look at the blogs and reflect on class from Wednesday.
I sat down this morning, and thought.... why don't I have anything here about the class on the 18th. Then it comes to me... This time last week, I was listening to
Erin Gruwell speak to 1000 teachers from all over North America. The conference in San Diego is the best professional thing I have done for myself. I spoke to teachers from Phoenix, New York, Los Angeles, and South Carolina to name a few. NOt one of them use software like we do here for children with special needs. They didn't even know what I was talking about when I mentioned Kurzweil in one of the workshops. They just have audio books.. So some of them are going back to investigate that and STart to Finish books. Wow I thought, and reflected back to class where we have switches for students to use on their foreheads, side of their heads and knees. It is so important to know the ability of the student your are working with an what part of the body best controls the switch. When that student sees some independence, you are dealing with a happier, much more motivated student.
Just even watching the video with the woman moving her jaw to control the switch was very inspiring and just imagine the independence this woman feels... INCREDIBLE.
I sat down this morning, and thought.... why don't I have anything here about the class on the 18th. Then it comes to me... This time last week, I was listening to
Erin Gruwell speak to 1000 teachers from all over North America. The conference in San Diego is the best professional thing I have done for myself. I spoke to teachers from Phoenix, New York, Los Angeles, and South Carolina to name a few. NOt one of them use software like we do here for children with special needs. They didn't even know what I was talking about when I mentioned Kurzweil in one of the workshops. They just have audio books.. So some of them are going back to investigate that and STart to Finish books. Wow I thought, and reflected back to class where we have switches for students to use on their foreheads, side of their heads and knees. It is so important to know the ability of the student your are working with an what part of the body best controls the switch. When that student sees some independence, you are dealing with a happier, much more motivated student.
Just even watching the video with the woman moving her jaw to control the switch was very inspiring and just imagine the independence this woman feels... INCREDIBLE.
Switch it maker
This was a great program for so many reasons. I enjoyed
the user friendly lay out and the time saving picture file.
Some of the programs seem to take a fair amount of time to
create books/assignments whereas this one was the best yet for me.
In our busy days we have so many things to do, it is great to
find a progrma like choose it maker that is simple to create
and can motivate so many students..
For the record I did have my book done for that class, I just haven't
given it to you Barb.. It is about a snow day.
the user friendly lay out and the time saving picture file.
Some of the programs seem to take a fair amount of time to
create books/assignments whereas this one was the best yet for me.
In our busy days we have so many things to do, it is great to
find a progrma like choose it maker that is simple to create
and can motivate so many students..
For the record I did have my book done for that class, I just haven't
given it to you Barb.. It is about a snow day.
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