Assistive Technology II - 1st Class
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Friday, January 13, 2013
I’m Back! I am so please to be taking the Assistive Technology II course with Barbara Welsford. I am always looking forward to learning new ways to engage all my students in their learning. The Assistive Technology I allowed me to see the many benefits of technology such as the iPad in today’s classrooms. The fact that I learnt so much about technology in the classroom, last summer, motivated me to buy my own iPad mini. I am now looking forward to experiencing inclusive learning at my fingertips. I cannot wait for the day when schools will have the proper technology to effectively educate all learners.
I’m Back! I am so please to be taking the Assistive Technology II course with Barbara Welsford. I am always looking forward to learning new ways to engage all my students in their learning. The Assistive Technology I allowed me to see the many benefits of technology such as the iPad in today’s classrooms. The fact that I learnt so much about technology in the classroom, last summer, motivated me to buy my own iPad mini. I am now looking forward to experiencing inclusive learning at my fingertips. I cannot wait for the day when schools will have the proper technology to effectively educate all learners.
Technology!? After taking the Assistive Technology course this summer, I was looking forward to integrating more technology into my teaching. My enthusiasm quickly died once I started to work at a school that did not keep up with technological advancements. It took two months for me to get an overhead projector that work. I still do not have a LCD projector. It does become annoying to try to get one from another teacher who needs to use theirs on a regular basis. I almost forgot to mention that there is no wireless access in most part of the school. One has no other choice but to use lots of hand outs and transparencies to deliver daily lessons. Day 1: The Assistive Technology course only reinforced what I do not like to admit. I am not meeting the needs of all my learners (LD, non-English speakers and non-LD). Why can all schools have equal access to technology that can enhance students learning? I do not like hearing myself talk for too long ... I am sure that my students feel the same. I would prefer if my students used Apps and programs such as iMovie, Evernote or Glogster to display their knowledge of the materials covered in class. I do not like to carry loads of papers to mark. Today’s learners are so knowledgeable and most importantly comfortable with technology. It would make one extremely happy to mark well designed assignment, in lieu of poorly readable ones. Many of my students would love to create a short ‘movie trailer’ with iMovie or prepare an oral presentation with Pic Collage (visual aid).
I do believe that students want to be successful in their learning. However, they do not know how to communicate their knowledge to us educators because we do not speak the same language (old school vs. modern school). Effective communication between students and teachers needs to become a priority in schools. Technology can help both students and teachers improve their level of receptiveness to information shared on a daily basis. I cannot fathom the high level of frustration LD students, such as Susie Ruben, experience on a daily basis. They also have something to say. Their silence or disruptive behavior does not equate to lack of knowledge. Susie Ruben is a perfect example of that. Individuals gave themselves the right to presume that Susie could not be educated because she was not able to communicate'the 'normal' ways (orally and written). The technological advancement, of the time, gave Susie a voice. Nobody I know wants to be ignored or misunderstood because they have verbal and written limitations.
Hey! I have been in your shoes many times! I, too, have been so inspired by some of the technologies that exist for our students in our board. But unfortunately due to lack of wireless connection, good enough technology, and overall computer 'glitches', sometimes it is difficult to provide the support needed for our students. At one school where I worked there was wireless but only in certain classrooms. I had a student using a program for reading and writing to help him be successful in classes. This program required the Internet. Unfortunately since there wasn't wireless in all of his classes he was unable to participate with the class in the class setting (despite having the capability). There wasn't even a computer in the classroom that could be used. I found this quite sad as a teacher trying to support him and create an inclusive environment. I hope that the Dept of Education recognizes these struggles and works towards more technology, less paper in the future.
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