Journal 9: "Reading Redefined"

"Once upon a time, reading was as simple and straightforward as decoding words on a page.

No more. Digital age technologies have made such an impact on the way we interact with

content that the old definitions of reading and books no longer apply." (Lamb)

The article "Reading Redefined for a Transmedia Universe" by Annette Lamb allows readers to reflect on what is important to them and how they value technology versus the traditional method of reading. She defines "book" and "reading" very differently than they once were. Being redefined and having many new meanings through graphics, text, sounds, and even movements changes the definition of a book as we once knew it. "Constructing meaning from symbols" is what she defines a "book" today. With the technology boom there are new tools to help in the experience of reading and learning. Lamb really supports the students in being the next generation and puts a lot on them to transform the traditional so that they may "discover new ways to motivate digital age reading across the curriculum".

Q: In this digital age there is more technology than I could have ever imagined, is it bad or good, is it causing our students to suffer?

A: I do not believe that children suffer from the massive amounts of technology in the world. I believe that with moderation of book reading a "screen reading" students can learn mass amounts. The great thing about technology is that you have immediate access to books, texts, rather than having to wait for the library to open, or find a form of transportation to get there. The traditional form of books will never go away, imagine not having a new book smell or even an old one. I think that there is value in both forms, and learning will always happen.

Lamb, A. (2011). Reading redefined for a transmedia universe. Learning and Leading With Technology, 39(3), 12-17. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-november-2011.aspx
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Journal 8: Adaptive Technology

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AAC

In considering the needs of all learners, I investigated some high and low technology tools tools that will greatly assist students with special needs! I will be focusing on Argumentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) which is a strategy that assist people with severe communication disabilities to participate more fully in their social roles including interpersonal interaction, learning, education, community activities, employment, volunteerism, and care management to name a few. The focus with be on two areas:  Communication & Accessibility and researching a no/low tech which requires very little technology and high tech options.

Communication

Sign Language -  is a complete, complex language that employs signs made by moving the hands combined with facial expressions and postures of the body.Using sign language in the classroom can help inspire students to explore and communicate about their environments by adding a visual language to my lessons. Through Mayer-Johnson a special education supplier, sign language products can give students ways to communicate, whether they are impaired, completely without hearing or struggling with verbal communication. Sign language is a great tool for all to know, I know that I need to learn more. There are many products to purchase in all price ranges so to fit every teachers budget. 

DynaVox, in my opinion one of the neatest and most functional tools in communication for AAC would be the DynaVox Maestro. This little machine a little bigger than an iPad that runs eight different softwares so that a person with speech and language disabilities can be heard. This company is amazing, all DynaVox devices allows individuals with speech and language disabilities to successfully communicate, develop high-level language skills and express themselves through software called InterAACt. This software has 3 driving factors: age, environment and ability. DynaVox not only has this product but many more in the assisting of interpersonal communication and connection with others. This incredibly high tech has opened my eyes to the possibility of the communication that can take place. Take a look at it, it is beautiful! 

Accessibility

An input device is any device by which someone can input information into a computer. Some common examples are a mouse and keyboard. However, for people with extreme disabilities, these devices may be difficult to use. Therefore, there are many modified input devices for people with special needs.

One hardware input device would be the Kinderboard. This keyboard introduces early learners to an actual keyboard. Yes, it is larger in size and color coded, it makes it very easy for the visually impaired to see the keys and learn their numbers and letters in a functional method. This keyboard would be a great way to get students to learn how to use a keyboard correctly. This board can also assist in learning the alphabet and identify character sets with color-coded consonants, vowels, numbers and punctuation marks.

Mayer-Johnson again has products that are digital savvy. One software that comes in an easy to access App is the Picture Communication Symbol (PCS) Apps. The Apps contain programs like Flash Cards, Word Scramble, Match & Memory and Bingo, they all help different people meet different needs. Products like PCS can help students learn vocabulary, language, articulation, cognitive, listening skills and more. These softwares are ideal for students with a need for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). It is as easy as a swipe/push of a finger, if you have an iPad, iTouch, or iPhone; Mac makes it easy for those with disabilities. Students that have the ability to use these products are now able to use the App anywhere they go because of the accessibility that Mac has created for all their users. 

See other AAC devices out there by other Bloggers: 

Jessi's Blog 

Angela's Blog

Journal 7: My Personal Learning Network

PERSONAL LEARNING NETWORK (PLN)

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A personal learning network (PLN) is pretty simple if you break it down. It is a network usually web-based that helps you personally learn. It is a community where people can gather and learn from one another. Me, the learner can create connections and develop a network that will help me in my professional development and knowledge. A PLN is like a backpack where all of the essentials to learning are located but rather it be a physical thing it is a web-based backpack. For example I use Twitter, Diigo, and Classroom 2.0 to help me learn in the field of education.My PLN will help me when I need new methods of teaching new material, or need more resources. My PLN will only help me grow and succeed in my pursuit of education.
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Twitter is an amazing outlet for people to dicuss topics about education. I never knew how influencial Twitter could be until we had to go to the educational chat. Before I just thought it was a place where people aka celebrities would make a stink about their lives and why things were not going their way. But now I know that it is a community to learn and grow from. In my community there are many students and educators that I respect and appreciate their input. I believe that they would help me and be able to discuss education in depth. I got to experience this first hand when I joined in on a chat. Here is how it went. :)

Chat: #mathchat Topic: "How do we get parents involved in the math teaching/learning revolution?" Date/Time: Monday, Nov 21. 2011 @ 1:30pm

This was an awesome experience. I felt that I was involved by just reading what people had to say. The best part was how supportive everybody was with one another. They supported and disagreed but in a kind manner. I actually saw someone that I am a following post. I was cool to see that my network is expanding.  The thing I did notice is that there was no definite answer to the question, there were many. People made suggestions that could help everyone, and that is the part I enjoyed most. There were so many different ideas that one of those ideas could fit any teachers teaching style. I loved that with Twitter you can post links to websites so that you can get more information on what you are looking for, I really loved this feature. I was able to upload an application to my desktop called Tweetdeck that allowed me to follow the whole conversation. Here is how some of it looked. ====> It was really neat to watch and I love the fact that these chats go on all the time. I am really looking forward to getting involved next time. :)


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Diigo is another great tool, it pretty much is exactly what it's advertisement says, collecting, highlighting, and then remembering. It allows you to see sites that other people have bookmarked. The greatest thing about this is you can search for things that you are interested in. The community that is in Diigo is one that you can rely on and seek help if needed. I added more people to my friends list aka community and they will see what I post and I can see what they post. This is a great tool to have for personal and professional. The greatest thing is that it is all saved on one site. You no longer have to save book marks on the internet browser it is all in one digital space. The Diigo toolbar is pretty cool too. All you do is click on it if you are at an interesting site. You can highlight special sections or even add sticky notes to write a note. Diigo is an awesome online resource that I will be using for a long time. 


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School 2.0 is another amazing PLN that all educators should add. While on Classroom 2.0, I watched a cute video called "Education in Human Values." It had to do with empathy. I think that as an educator empathy is necessary, considering that everyone has different cultures and backgrounds. This video made me think about how I am perceived. Sometimes I may not be having the greatest of day and my student will see this. But I need to being thinking about them at all times. They are my priority and I want them to see and through seeing they know that I do care. This website is made for educators and students it is a great resource and will be used often by me. Check out the video it is awesome. 

Journal 6: Google+ For You?

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Google+: The Complete Guide: Ben Parr

Parr, B. (2011, July 16). Google+: The complete guide. Retrieved from http://mashable.com/2011/07/16/google-plus-guide/

The Complete Guide", by Ben Parr it really not all that complete. I believe that Google+ is more that he describes. There is nothing like Google+ than a quick tutorial. Yes there was a lot of information to learn, but I feel that it would have been more real if he chose to make a video of a new learner and how they went about building their Google+ profile, adding friends. But I did enjoy the reading, I like that he compared Facebook to Google+ and broke down the different aspects of Google+. I think it is a great tutorial for people just learning how to use Google+. 

Question: How will Google+ benefit me as a teacher?

Answer: Google+ is a great way for teachers to connect with other teachers. Within a circle you could have all of your colleagues view your posts. This way you don't have to bother your brother or sister with talk of school. Having circles is a great way to keep personal and business separate. 

Educators - Google Plus is For You: Chris Brogan

Brogan, C. (2011, Sept 30). Educators – Google Plus is for you. Retrieved from http://www.chrisbrogan.com/gpluseducators/

What a great way for educators to learn and feed off of each othere. Is that not what social networks are for. I love the fact how he incorporated education in to the article. Now days social networking is almost a full time job. The article really spoke to me in the fact of how you can use it for teaching and using it in PLN. How you can share lesson plans, start hangouts, and even get your students involved in a positive learning experience. I believe that using Google+ with your  students is a great way to use technology and teach them relevant information. Google+ is awesome and Google makes it easy to use. 

Question: What do you think is the best feature of Google+?

Answer: The best feature about Google+ is that it is more that a social network it is everything you need to be sucessful in the cloud based age. The fact that Google is almost like a computer, you can create docs, store photos, and even have a social media site all in one. This makes it affordable for everyone that has access to internet. I think that Google has created a new world, in the clouds that is.