Lots of accessibilities for all types of learners. Some of the videos had more options than others. The accessibility options were very limited in some.
Android- Lots of accessibilities of all types of learners, Chromebook had very little but at the time when it was new...it was great!
For the Mac which I have, I learned so much about the accessibility options...Wow!
PC was very vague.
You really have to go looking for the options!
Working on Book Creator...
I'm a multitasker most of
the time, but during this class I wasn't. I was trying to apply what was being
taught on Book Creator and misunderstood the activity all together.
I guess I was too focused
on "Creating a Book". I'm not sure what both John and I were thinking
but for some reason we misunderstood the whole idea of the activity. We were
both frustrated and stress levels were rising.
I felt very frustrated and
felt like I was in a glass bubble and couldn't get out. Is that what our
students feel like when they don't understand what to do in the class?
Even though we told that we
were the only ones who didn't understand...I learned at the end of the class
that others had many questions as well.
When
students do not understand, we have to find the way they will. Many people
learn differently and I have to defend myself because I am a visual, hands on
learner. Before we left class, John and I figured it out!!!!
Monday, 18 July 2016
Using Book Creator
I'm a multitasker most of the time, but during this class I wasn't. I was trying to apply what was being taught on Book Creator and misunderstood the activity all together.
I guess I was too focused on "Creating a Book". I'm not sure what both John and I were thinking but for some reason we misunderstood the whole idea of the activity. We were both frustrated and stress levels were rising.
I felt very frustrated and felt like I was in a glass bubble and couldn't get out. Is that what our students feel like when they don't understand what to do in the class?
Even though we told that we were the only ones who didn't understand...I learned at the end of the class that others had many questions as well.
When students do not understand, we have to find the way they will. Many people learn differently and I have to defend myself because I am a visual, hands on learner.
You are driving me crazy!!!!!
By the end of the class, we looked at a website with lots of ideas...Thank you to Holly and Joy!!!!
It was good to be out of the long 3 hour classes and enjoy hour long presentations.
My 3 take aways from the conference:
Janet Duncan: I've learned so much about how people with exceptionalities were treated in different countries across the globe. It saddened me to know that people were kept on islands like they didn't exist. People are still treated like that in some places. I think Canada is way ahead!
Joanne Syms- This presentation was real! I enjoyed listening to Joanne. She really made me see different perspectives on bullying. Her real life experiences really added to her presentation. I had tears in my eyes at some parts.
Rola- This presentation really created an awareness for me. All of the little things we must consider when teaching students from different countries and the baggage that they may bring. She also spoke about the positive side of having a diverse population in our province...in our country.
I also liked the networking during breaks and during lunch. I felt like a student again!
We watched a video- Switch
Each child has individual ways to reach his/her goals.
Teacher models the activity first.
TAAdapting curriculum to meet the child's need- This is such a strong statement. The curriculum is the one with the disability because it doesn't fit the needs of the learner. I remember this being said last week during the second class.
Michael -primary student
Since he joined the class he has become more alert. This video shows how important it is to include all students. They really learn so much from one another.
Todd- Grade 4/5 split class
interacting with others
Challenging when other students are working independently.
He listens to books and chooses what to read on his own.
He sounds the buzzer in gym class which he really enjoys doing.
He works harder to operate the switch.
He has limited vision.
Big mac used to participate in math activity. Todd really feels like he is participating in the class. The smile says it all!
Justine- grade 10 student
Operating switch to tell students instructions- fruit salad
More difficult at this age because it isn't cool to stand near on in a wheelchair.
Justine can still build social skills. She is more alert and more focused because of the interaction with students in the class.
Joy- grade 7 student- practice social skills
more difficult to interact with other teens
interacts with younger students
Joy would be able to use a iPad. She responds well and very quick
Uses the head switch better than hand switch
Supportive parents help her develop. The mother was so supportive!
Teamwork makes integration happen!
What can we do now with all of the technology.
It's amazing how we will make do with what we have. This video was done some time in the 80s and they still functioned well. Today the options are limitless! What will it be like in another 20 years
Powerlink
Eyegaze
Station 5Chromebook
- using a big keyboard with bright colors
Speech maker and speech input
visually impaired and hearing impaired
Station 6 Android
hearing impaired or visually impaired
Apps
Virtual Voice visually impaired
Let Me Hear Again- Hearing impaired
Station 7 Powerlinks and switches: 3 high impact videos on students with severe physical disabilities using power links, switches or other alternate access devices to access or engage in an activity.
Alex has spinal muscular atrophy. He can't hold a controller or use a keyboard, so he games using the movement of his eyebrows. It shows how student is in control and works independently.
Student is in control and able to use switch independently.
We ran out of time and could only find video that showed how switches are used.
Station 2
switch- user has to be able to tap on and tap off...need a back and forth motion
blue switch- Has to be able to grip and squeeze
upright switch- Is very sensitive so it would be used by a student who has very little movement and control. Can also be used for visually impaired.
Station 4
Hover over keys and scan through keys
control and mobility
language development has to be strong
This can be used for student who is a paraplegic
We only had time to explore hovering and scanning.
Station 2
Eye gazer - Great for people with ALS.
This was the best station today!
10 activities:
Station 6 This can be used for children with autism.
Switch accessible iPad apps
Splat the Clown
Racing cars
Turtle invaders
Frog feeders
Octoplus
Switch Kids
Stem Storiez his Zumo Story Specifically For autism:
Jungle Adventure
Television Time
Elevator Up
Forest Fighter
ZyroSky 3D
Lots and lots of ideas with low technology. The Dollar Store is great especially if you can think creatively.
I found it difficulty to think outside the box and normally I don't. A few people has the same issues. There are however a lot of creative people in our class. There are a lot of people who think similarly and some who see so much differently. It's great that we are able to share our ideas!
When you think of it, we just built a huge bank of ideas that we can take back to our schools and incorporate them into the classroom. The presentations were really fun and informative!
I searched some website to see if other people in the world have thought of other ideas...and of course there are so many websites. Products to assist students can get very expensive so it's good to learn about other products that are cheaper and do basically the same thing.
For our end of the day activity...I learned about word cloud from others in the group. I enjoy working with others because you never know what you will learn. We also learned that there are a lot of apps for Ipads when you search. That says a lot about them!
I'm excited to present our game we created for Ruby! I'm also excited that it is Friday!
When my partner and I watched the 3 videos, we thought that Ruby would be the best to work with. The challenges that she has are different from the other two children. We watched the video a few times to really get to know Ruby. Here is the link if you would like to meet Ruby:
This certainly helped with presenting the game and the Proloquo2Go. Chelsea and I worked really well together! You never know how well you are able to work with someone until you actually work with him/her.
This was a real eye opener to me...
Picture based augmentative communication systems have to be used all the time…if you only use it for
a short time kids won’t develop language. For example: If they use aided language for 10minutes a day…they wouldn’t develop language fully until they are 84 years old. That amazes me! We surely can be a disservice to the children we work with. On the other hand, we can really encourage the use of technology and allow them lots of opportunities.
Someone in the class had asked if we as teachers would send ipads home with students. At that time, I turned to the person next to me and asked him how he would feel if we took his ability to talk away from him for the summer months. That would not be fair. Technology becomes a part of someone. They really cannot function fully without it.
I liked that Barb asked the class tackle a question
instead of answering it herself. That really gives the class the opportunity to apply what they are learning so far in the class...or just using brains to think instead of getting the answers from her. Great quality in a teacher!!!!
