Accessive Technology

     Last Thursday's class Lori spoke to us about Accessive Technology. Going into that classroom with all those computers , I wasnt really sure what we were going to talk about. Once Lori had started talking to us and explained some technology, I then realized that people use these devices in everyday use. My general impression of Lori's class was that she really stretched out why we were there and wanted us to be aware of anything that could happen.  She also showed us videos on accessive technology and how it is benefical to others.
     Once lori gave us a chance to explore at our computers, then go over the devices as a class, there were 3 devices that stood out to me.  One of which was Read/Write Gold.  Read/Write Gold is a study aid.  It mainly supports students with reading/writing disabilities, learning disabilities such as Dyslexia, and English as a 2nd language.  Although Read/Write Gold supports these type of students, any student can really benefit from this.  Read/Write Gold helps struggling students with any curriculumn.  It can read text out loud or it can also highlight the text then reads out loud what you had highlighted.  Read/Write Gold also has a pronunciation tutor, that helps students with pronunceing words. They even give you the option of picking the language and voice.
    Another device that stood out to me was Keystone/Stoke.  This was actually a video Lori had us watch about this lady that could not talk or have any mobility. Keystones is a word prediction software. The lady in the video used Keystones to communicate with her husband. "Her computer is her life".  The way she used this device was, there was a wire that she placed on her jaw bone, and with the slightest bit of movement she could get so much done.  She did everything with this device, talked to her husband, online banking, and even grocery shopping for her family. This device was extremely impressive to me.
     The last device that caught my eye was the Screen Masking. Screen Masking is a device that helps with concentration.  In a paragraph it would make everything dark except for the line that your are reading from. So this way it helps you stay on task by going line by line. This device is for students who are reading impaired but really anyone could use this.
    Overall I learned alot from sitting in Lori's class about Accessive Technology, I enjoyed her visit. 

Desktop Publisher

In the article Desktop Publisher, they talked about how these tools are useful in the classroom. The article gives teachers ideas of how to produce a varity of assignments and projects.  Some examples are making posters, writting a newsletter and developing a newspaper.  However these are great ideas, to some they may be useless in the learning process, because not everyone learns the same way. 

 When we were talking the other day in class about desktop publisher I was not aware of all the different opportunities. I tend to stick to one publisher and thats usually Microsoft Word.  After reading this article and talking about desktop publisher in class, I realize there is alot out there.  Although I think it is great that we as teachers get a chance to use these tools and gives us a chance to open up new opportunities to students, I feel as though this should not be the only option. 

Data Driven Decision

      Data Driven Decision is a system of teaching and management practices that gets better information about students into the hands of classroom teachers. It requires an important day-to-day shift for teachers on instruction that emphasize the process and delivery to the classroom. To have effective data-driven essentials in the classroom, you as a teacher needs to know the five elements, which are as follows, good baseline, instructional goals, formative assessment, learning communities, and focused instructional intervention. Without knowing these five elements, the data driven decision will not be a success in your classroom.  Everyday teachers collect data, no matter where you are. You could be doing something where your not even looking for it and it will be there.

     In my hypothetical classroom I will most definitely be using data to make some of my decisions if not all. First I will get a baseline and see where each student stands. This will then give me a boost on how I should start planning my data. After this I will than have some information to make decisions. I can use this data to improve my students learning and to keep track of the best way of teaching the material. Using data will show me what works and if it doensnt work then I can change my style in a way to improve my students learning. Another reason why I would use data in my classroom is so that it will be at hand if a student has a question. There are many ways you can use data decision making in a classroom, and I feel that knowing how to do so is very important.

iPads

        In today's class I took a look at the ipads with my partner  My partner and I both discovered that it was very high tech and interesting. There are applications that helps with memorizing, math, music, etc.  My favorite part was the cell. It caught my eye how 3-D it was and how it showed all angles of it. I feel as though this would work great in the classroom because then the students always has something to look back on at their own hands instead of possibly waiting for the teachers help. I think that these ipads will be a great way to bring technology into the classroom for a new way of learning.

Engage or Enrage

After reading the "Engage Me or Enrage Me" article, it came to me that technology in the classroom would be a good idea but I feel as though it shouldn't be the only option of learning.  All kids have their own ways of learning, some may be through a computer and others may be hands on doing it theirselves.  In the article it says,

"Maybe if, when learning the "old" stuff, our students could be continuously challenged at the edge


of their capabilities, and could make important decisions every half-second, and could have

multiple streams of data coming in, and could be given goals that they want to reach but wonder if

they actually can, and could beat a really tough game and pass the course—maybe then they

wouldn't have to, as one kid puts it, "power down" every time they go to class."
 
This to me is very true. Students these days need to be engaged in what they are interested in and not what you think will catch their attention. Technology may catch their attention at first because its something new to them but you could loose the student in the long run because they may get bored. This may be hard to do and will come with a lot of work but students these days need to be taught in a way that they don't realize they are learning. When alot of kids go to class their attitudes are always "Why do we have to do this", or "This is stupid". Maybe a way we could do this is engage them to tell you a famous person they look up to, then have them do research on their life. I came to find that when students see others that they look up to having to go through all the same stuff they need to, it engages them to move forward.
 
On the other hand I agree that technology could work in the classroom, I just feel as though it should not be the only option.
 
 

 
 

21st Century Skills

      The changes of the 21st Century will cause a lot of impact in classrooms around the world.  I feel as though the impact will be best to the students advantage. Now that it is the 21st Century and it is student centered, I feel that students will be able to relate to certain situations in a way that they understand best.  The students will feel that it is their word and choice, instead of being told what to do.  Today no one can tell you how to live the real world, all it is anymore is live and learn experience. Now since it is the 21st Century and this being exposed into the classrooms, we can prepare students with knowledge and skills, not on how to live the real world but how to help and prepare them for the world outside the classroom. The 21st century will teach and show students a great deal of knowledge that will lead to great experiences. Not only will the students have the chance to experience new ideas but they will also be presented with skills that will help them where ever they go. 

      Classrooms today are different from when I was in elementary school. Today classrooms are more high standard and less personable. I remember when I was in elementary school it was fun, and you had some sense of freedom. Now a days students have to meet so many requirments and they are not as big on extra curricular interests. For example, I am an art major and I want to become an art teacher, but they are having less art classes in schools.  I feel that having an art class is just as important as being part of a sports team. Not everyone has the same interests and with out these options some students will not be able to put forth their creativity. Although the classroom settings have changed in time, hopefully in this 21st century, they will now change for the better.