Blog #7

Adaptive technologies play a very important role in the support of the diverse learner according to chapter four of our book by providing solutions for students with special needs by promoting participation and independence. An example is word processing software that allows students with Dysgraphia who cannot hold a pencil in their hand use commands to create a document. I personally have never used such software but I recall one of the first software was called Dragon which uses a microphone to speak words into the transfer into text on the computer screen and into a word processing document. As with any technology there are always challenges such as learning how to use the new technology and analyzing if indeed a student can adapt to this technology and use it to learn and achieve content goals established in the classroom. Whenever using the adaptive technologies the most important this to consider is using the correct tool to meet the student’s needs.

                I have never created an actual website, thus this experience was a completely new one. The most important thing that I learned is how important it is to understand what content should be posted on a website and made accessible to viewers and users. Also, the purpose of the website is essential to the author of the website as a teacher it is important to make certain that students find the website user friendly and can find the information they are seeking. I did not find the website to be user friendly. I found it difficult to navigate and this became frustrating. Here is the link http://mrandyrodriguez.weebly.com/

 

     

A paragraph on the new skills you learned from working with Diigo. How can this application be useful in your classroom, with team members, and in your individual professional efforts.                Some of thw new skills I have learned are to bookmark websites and you can put tags on them to organize and categorize them and find them later in an easier fashion. Also use can use sticky notes which helps as well when referring back to the material. Any tools such as the ones that Diigo offers are always useful for communicating with students and co-workers in a professional environment. Basically any tools that assist with being organized and effective in your communication are key and helpful.

ILP “Participation”- Lynda.COM

Tutorial Lesson Name: Choosing the right technology for your School by Betsy Corcoran.

Category: Education and E Learning Educational Technology

  The activity lesson was organized in the following manner; an introduction followed by questions regarding the topic such as why technology?, questions to ask, choose your technology, and a conclusion. The entire tutorial lasted 34 minutes in length and was very well organized. The author is a journalist who has written about the use of technology throughout her entire career. She was taken back regarding the lack of use of technology and school when she had children of her own and she experienced first hand what was happening in schools across America. She started Edsurge which is a type of consulting service that helps schools, administrators, teachers, parents, and students understand how to choose and incorporate technology into the learning environment. Edsurge is an intermediary providing information about technology in order to really bring context and relevance into the lives of teachers and students. There's a collection of technologies that help administrators understand what's going on in their districts, because as the schools come into this electronic world school districts will want to make sure that their students are protected as well. The goal is to find relevance within education to bring context to students to explore, find their passion, and build their future. Edsurge uses the diagram below to assist in finding the right technology that will support the learning environment it is introduced to. Also, questions regarding hardware, support software, and technology that links school and families as well as technology that supports instruction are addressed.

Blog #6

#1

            I chose to visit my son’s school’s website and his first grade teacher’s online pages. Publicly you can access and see information about his first grade teacher such as an introduction about her and her family and background. Also, there are several educational links that direct both students and parents to additional learning resources outside of the classroom. Mrs. Kagy, also posts: announcements, assignments, homework, important documents, the class newsletter, schedules and class fun on the website for parents and students to access information about her classroom. You can access the school’s website through this link http://www.leonschools.net/hawksrise.

#2

            I envision myself using technology that helps my students succeed in their learning environment. The Smart-Board is a great tool which project on a large level and reaches the entire classroom even those students who sit in the back of the classroom. I believe that effective teaching requires feedback from parents and students as well regarding the material and how well it is being understood. Also, the use of productivity tools that enables teacher to track their student’s progress so that it can be shared in review to measure performance and address areas of concern that may need to be addressed. I also feel that it is important to understand any limitations that students may have to technology outside of the classroom and take this into account when assigning homework, projects and other school work.

#3

The Technology Sandbox proved to demonstrate its dynamic learning environment where students of the College of Education can learn and practice using various instructional technologies and tools. Being able to understanding how these technologies can be embedded into real life teaching, learning, assessment, and research is very valuable knowledge. The range from PreK-12, continuing and higher education, and other educational organizations is all encompassing and allows students to meet rigorous accreditation requirements, and state standards. I cannot imagine better preparation for FSU graduates to be successful in their future professional careers. Gaming, iPad, e-readers, and tablets are all technologies that I intend to use and through personal experience with these technologies I am confident that they will be useful in my classroom and with my students to make learning engaging and fun at the same time. It is time to step away from the desk, chalkboard and overhead projector. It is the interactive technology that will make an impact when teaching my students.