Technology with Students with Severe Disabilities

Integrating technology with special needs students is critical for allowing them to process information in new, multi-modal formats. It provides opportunities for them to learn to generalize learning and language concepts in more than one environment. For example, after working on a job task in the greenhouse, students can read an electric storybook on the greenhouse plants with which they were working. They can use a computer application to answer questions about the plants, which reinforces the language and the questions asked of the students while they were working. They can learn to effectively answer comprehension questions with this work topic, which can encourage them to develop their reflection and comprehension skills for other, more novel tasks. They will be able to practice choice-making and simple responses. "Successful expression of preferences is critical for the development of self-determination and lays the groundwork for making choices that show knowledge or skill. Expressing knowledge and skills nurtures and acknowledges a child’s full potential. The more that choice-making of both preferences and knowledge is targeted and encouraged, the more confident, independent, and empowered a child can become." (Tubbergen et al., 2007). When students work with and manipulate language, they become more effective communicators and have greater success in their post-secondary life experiences.

Tubbergen, M., Omichinski, D., & Warschausky, S. (2007). How children with severe disabilities make choices of preference and knowledge. Exceptional Parent, 37(5), 36-38. Retrieved from Education Research Complete database

Four Types of Blogs in the Classroom

Initially, I thought I had a solid idea of what I pictured a future classroom blog looking like. My vision included students responding to questions about books that they are reading. When poking around the UMUC databases, I found an article from The Reading Teacher that widened my options for me. Lisa Zawilinski (2009) discusses several key aspects of blogging in the classroom that must be considered before implementation. She comments on the “authentic audience” that is available to read the students’ work, in the form of fellow students, teachers, parents, grandparents, and so on (Zawilinski, 2009, p. 652).

While I had not previously considered it, Zawilinski (2009) classifies four types of blogs: Classroom News (posting information about the classroom), Mirror Blogs (students reflecting on their thinking), Showcases (posting examples of student work), and Literature Response (students posting responses to books). As I mentioned earlier, I was ready to unintentionally limit my students by requiring them to follow the framework of a Literature Response blog. Now, I will be sure to allow my students to stretch their wings in the form of the other types of blogs, which will keep their motivation and personal pride at a high level, where it belongs!

Reference:

Zawilinski, L. (2009). HOT blogging: A framework for blogging to promote higher order thinking. The Reading Teacher(62)8, 650-661. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete. DOI:10.1598/RT.62.8.3

Organizing Technology Tools

Working on this blog and conference, causes me to reflect on the challenges with organizing technology tools and resources. There are so many interesting materials available on the internet, but many need to be properly vetted. So then you take the time to review them and decide what works for your class. But then what do you do?

I say this as I contemplate my ever growing “Favorites” tab. If I do not arrange the bookmarks in folders, the list quickly gets out-of-hand. And managing resources on multiple computers (work, home, child’s) just gives me a head-ache.

Good compartmentalizing is a necessity. Color coding, file folders and a naming system are critical for a technology-saavy teacher to have in order to stay efficiently connected. And now there are even web-based tools specifically geared toward bookmarking and organization. Now, I guess I’ll have to bookmark this :P

Collaboration

Pen pals use to be the way to communicate with other students across the country and the world. Now that we have the internet it has become a lot easier to get into contact with other students as well as hold better communication. I think blogging in the classroom will open up a lot of opportunities for students as well as teachers.

If we could blog with international students it would be a great lesson for students. They are getting writing experience, cultural experience, and communication experience. Blogging has become global and anyone can do it. It would give students a chance to reach a higher level of thinking and expressing their thoughts.

There is so much to teach students about as far as diversity and what better way than blogging with students from different backgrounds, cultures, and schools. I think blogging teaches students about themselves from their blogs.
What do you think?

International Collaboration with Blogs

I will admit, the prospect of organizing international collaboration for my fourth grade students is a bit overwhelming.

However, having gained some confidence with the use of blogs, I can see myself starting small...maybe organizing collaboration among the different classes in my grade level. This would pave the way for collaboration with other schools, counties, and states, and then finally, other countries!

Specifically, the concept of a "bouncing story" interests me. The idea is simple; one participating member begins the story, and after a completing a designated length (a sentence, a paragraph, a page), the story is passed on to someone else, who then contributes the next segment. Why not take this to an international audience?

University students in Canada, England, and Australia did just that, and even went further by recording the new segments of the story as podcasts! Listeners can subscribe to the podcasts in order to remain updated with the most current story section, via the blog. These students certainly serve as a model for international collaboration using a blog!

I may not have the time to create podcasts, but I think my students could handle a written version of this activity. It's definitely worth investigating!

Pro's and Con's of blogging

Blogging is a very simple concept that can have many advantages and disadvantages. Part of the good news is that blogging is a very simple tool to use and access. In both education and the business world, blogging is an excellent way to communicate with other people. This allows for excellent discussion, relationship building, and collaboration. It also helps defeat issues involved with time and location as people can blog from anywhere and at anytime. This allows for people to be more effective, efficient, and innovative in their work.

The disadvantages of blogging depend mainly upon the purpose of the blog and by whom it is being used. Issues such as privacy, accessibility, and advertising are some of top concerns about blogging. Privacy can be a very important issue depending on what is being discussed and whether or not you want the information viewable to the public. Accessibility in terms of being able to make sure all parties involved are able to access and edit content. Advertising is something I have always found to be a pain since they promote items that you don't necessarily support. This is more common in the free blogs since the companies need to make money, you generally don't have a choice on whether or not you advertise.

Stine, S., & Poje, J. (2009). THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY. Public Lawyer, 17(2), 12-19. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database.

Topics in Technology and Education

Technology is capricious in thought and form. The concept of integrating technology into the curriculum is both a lure and a challenge to many teachers. It holds the promise of a great new adventure, where student-centered learning can manifest itself in novel and inspiring ways. It appears universally designed and by virtue of this, can allow students to excel no matter what their learning strengths or needs. But this ever-changing siren is presented to teachers with a cost. Teachers must pay in time, energy, and sometimes even efficiency. The learning curve is great and it always appears as if teachers are playing catch-up to the students. At the same time teachers are given less time than ever to plan and prepare for today's diverse, multi-sensory learners. The world wide web has grown exponentially and it is nearly impossible to keep up with changes in web-sites, technology resources, and supplementary curriculum supports. It always seems teachers are re-inventing the wheel, despite declarations to the contrary. But despite all the challenges, technology education is a banner that is waved proudly by those of us interested in exploring innovation and excellence in learning.
Catherine Hunter