Journal #4
Edu422
Taken from Edutopia.org
Assistive Technology: Enabling Dreams
By Diane Curtis
Because of the advancements we have made in technology, students with special needs now have many new and innovative options available to them. Through the use of computers, children now have alternative ways of communicating.
Oakland California, has created a special school for children with a range of disabilities. The students are enrolled in a program known as TACLE. Their goal is to design whatever device is needed to help disabled students reach their potential. The students use unique computers designed with pictures to help the students communicate. A student Adrian wears a headband that senses his eyebrow movements, to move a cursor on the monitor that shows what he is trying to express. The computer then verbalizes what the student is trying to convey.
Assistive technology is exciting for all those involved with learning disabilities. Over the last few years, they have made great strides in the technology involved in creating these devices.
For students like Lukas, what seemed impossible has become probable. Lukas wanted to play a musical instrument. No problem. Except he has extremely limited use of his arms. An instrument was adapted that included a joystick that electronically instructs the valves of the instrument to open and close. Now Lukas is part of the school band.
1.Do you think that adaptations should be made for students with disabilities?
Yes. Students gain many benefits by being included in all activities. Playing sports, or a musical instrument allows the student to excel at things they thought they were incapable of. This not only boosts their self-esteem, but helps create a well rounded citizen.
2.Should we continue to explore new ways to accommodate students with special needs?
Absolutely. Every child should be given whatever tools are needed to help them succeed in life. Many students today lead normal lives because of the improvements made in technology. Students that were unable to speak, can now be heard through a voice in their computer. I think that technology will change the lives of even more students with disabilities, as they discover new and more innovative ways to tackle the obstacles many students face.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
ED422 Journal Entry #3 9/20
Journal #3
“A War of Words” by Jim Paterson
Ed422 9/20
“PaperToolsPro” is one of a new line of software that was designed to help students differentiate between plagiarism and paraphrasing. It has improved students ability to search for materials relating to a topic, cite sources properly, and then deposit the information into a word process document.
However, not everyone is happy with these new software programs. Many feel they are an infringement on the student’s rights. They feel the programs do not replace the actual “teaching” and learning provided by a classroom teacher. Rebecca Moore Howard, a Professor at Syracuse University, New York, complains that the programs “tell students when they have failed to write well, but they don’t teach how to write well.”
These software applications can be used as a deterrent, if nothing else, to put “fear” into the student that is likely to plagiarize. Just the knowledge that the teacher has a tool to locate any copied facsimile, makes the student think twice before copying someone else’s words.
1.Do you think having a software program that detects plagiarism would be useful to you in your class?
I think it would be a valuable tool to be able to access. I remember reading book reviews last year by students that were obviously plagiarized. This software would make it easier for me to check my suspicions. It would also make them think twice before copying the jacket of a book, knowing that I would be able to check their writing in my computer, in an instant.
2.Do you think that having one of these software programs would replace “teaching” the students about plagiarism?
Absolutely not! It is the job of a teacher to explain and show examples of the difference between plagiarism and paraphrasing. She must also teach them how to “cite” where they got their information from, and how to re-word their findings into their “own” voice.
“A War of Words” by Jim Paterson
Ed422 9/20
“PaperToolsPro” is one of a new line of software that was designed to help students differentiate between plagiarism and paraphrasing. It has improved students ability to search for materials relating to a topic, cite sources properly, and then deposit the information into a word process document.
However, not everyone is happy with these new software programs. Many feel they are an infringement on the student’s rights. They feel the programs do not replace the actual “teaching” and learning provided by a classroom teacher. Rebecca Moore Howard, a Professor at Syracuse University, New York, complains that the programs “tell students when they have failed to write well, but they don’t teach how to write well.”
These software applications can be used as a deterrent, if nothing else, to put “fear” into the student that is likely to plagiarize. Just the knowledge that the teacher has a tool to locate any copied facsimile, makes the student think twice before copying someone else’s words.
1.Do you think having a software program that detects plagiarism would be useful to you in your class?
I think it would be a valuable tool to be able to access. I remember reading book reviews last year by students that were obviously plagiarized. This software would make it easier for me to check my suspicions. It would also make them think twice before copying the jacket of a book, knowing that I would be able to check their writing in my computer, in an instant.
2.Do you think that having one of these software programs would replace “teaching” the students about plagiarism?
Absolutely not! It is the job of a teacher to explain and show examples of the difference between plagiarism and paraphrasing. She must also teach them how to “cite” where they got their information from, and how to re-word their findings into their “own” voice.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Ed422 Journal Entry #2 9/14/07
Journal #2 Ed422
Infusion or Integration
By Kimberley Ketterer
In this article Kimberley compares infusion and integration. She found many schools using these terms incorrectly, and interchangeably. Infusion means an introduction of a new element into something. She compares historical use to modern day use. Historically, teachers used pens and pencils for writing, overhead projectors, ditto machines, record players, movie projectors and hardcopy subscriptions to magazines. I can relate to the use of these methods. Not only have I used them, but almost daily, overhead projectors are still used in many of the classrooms I teach in. When compared to current technological teaching tools, these methods seem ancient, and on the verge of extinction. Currently, most teachers now use computers for writing, LCD projectors, document cameras, copy machines, MP3 and DVD players, and online subscriptions to articles. These advances in technology have changed the look of today’s classroom. We have access to so much more information at our fingertips.
Integration is the intermixing of people or items previously segregated. This can be seen in multi-media presentations, watching downloaded video clips, using a document camera to project a teacher demonstration, or listening to a lesson on an MP3 player. Basically, integration is using the technology as a tool for learning in the classroom.
1.Could I see myself using current technology as a teaching tool in my classroom?
Definitely yes. I already use the LCD player for showing films relating to a variety of topics, either taken from a website (Unitedstreaming), or from a DVD. The large screen makes viewing much more enjoyable than the old T.V. screens they used to have to watch movies on. It’s also a great tool for sharing Power Point presentations.
2.Do you find use of any historical items still of value?
Yes. There have been many great improvements, yet I think that some basic fundamental things still retain a value in today’s schools. I think children still need to learn to write using a pen and pencil. I see the art of cursive writing becoming a thing of the past. Many students nowadays don’t know how to write in cursive. I think handwriting is an important basic that should not be done away with. I also see the value of using an overhead projector. It makes it easy for a teacher to share with the class, anything she wants to write or demonstrate. Technology is great, and it has improved many teaching venues, however, I think that certain basic historical things still serve a purpose in today’s schools.
Infusion or Integration
By Kimberley Ketterer
In this article Kimberley compares infusion and integration. She found many schools using these terms incorrectly, and interchangeably. Infusion means an introduction of a new element into something. She compares historical use to modern day use. Historically, teachers used pens and pencils for writing, overhead projectors, ditto machines, record players, movie projectors and hardcopy subscriptions to magazines. I can relate to the use of these methods. Not only have I used them, but almost daily, overhead projectors are still used in many of the classrooms I teach in. When compared to current technological teaching tools, these methods seem ancient, and on the verge of extinction. Currently, most teachers now use computers for writing, LCD projectors, document cameras, copy machines, MP3 and DVD players, and online subscriptions to articles. These advances in technology have changed the look of today’s classroom. We have access to so much more information at our fingertips.
Integration is the intermixing of people or items previously segregated. This can be seen in multi-media presentations, watching downloaded video clips, using a document camera to project a teacher demonstration, or listening to a lesson on an MP3 player. Basically, integration is using the technology as a tool for learning in the classroom.
1.Could I see myself using current technology as a teaching tool in my classroom?
Definitely yes. I already use the LCD player for showing films relating to a variety of topics, either taken from a website (Unitedstreaming), or from a DVD. The large screen makes viewing much more enjoyable than the old T.V. screens they used to have to watch movies on. It’s also a great tool for sharing Power Point presentations.
2.Do you find use of any historical items still of value?
Yes. There have been many great improvements, yet I think that some basic fundamental things still retain a value in today’s schools. I think children still need to learn to write using a pen and pencil. I see the art of cursive writing becoming a thing of the past. Many students nowadays don’t know how to write in cursive. I think handwriting is an important basic that should not be done away with. I also see the value of using an overhead projector. It makes it easy for a teacher to share with the class, anything she wants to write or demonstrate. Technology is great, and it has improved many teaching venues, however, I think that certain basic historical things still serve a purpose in today’s schools.
Friday, September 7, 2007
ED422 Journal Entry #1 9/07
Friday, September 7, 2000 Power of the Mashup- Journal #1 Combining Essential Learning with New Technology Tools.
Jerome Burg, a High School English teacher was always looking for ways to hold his students interests while reading old classics. He came up with the idea of Google Lit Trips. It is an interactive Web-based tool that allows students to search the globe, using satellite imagery, maps, terrain and other images to travel along with a literary character on his journey throughout the story, by using Google Earth.
By creating this, Burg makes the information of a story more visible to students. This translates into a deeper understanding, and a makes ideas more shareable, and easier to discuss. Like they say, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Many students are visual learners, and this is an excellent tool to use with them.
Burg started to incorporate video footage to accompany his literary journey. If the character experienced a dust storm, he would include actual footage of a dust storm. This way the students would feel like the character in the story, and experience what the character was experiencing. This was a great tool reading “The Grapes of Wrath”, a commonly read literature story for High School students. The book was very controversial at the time, examining the migrant workers life, and the “dust-bowl”. It is a very important part of California history, and Burg has made it more interesting and realistic through his Google Lit Trips Web site.
1.Is Google Lit Trips Web sit something that would be useful in my classroom?
I think this could be a very valuable tool for classroom use. I think that it presents the information in a very real way for the students. They can actually visualize the characters journey, and experience it along with them. Since I have only one computer in my room, I could project it from my computer, through the Epson projector for the entire class to view.
2.Would this website be too complicated for my students?
I often find my kids on Google Earth, when they’re supposed to be working on other material. They obviously know how to get there already, and actually enjoy viewing the website.
Jerome Burg, a High School English teacher was always looking for ways to hold his students interests while reading old classics. He came up with the idea of Google Lit Trips. It is an interactive Web-based tool that allows students to search the globe, using satellite imagery, maps, terrain and other images to travel along with a literary character on his journey throughout the story, by using Google Earth.
By creating this, Burg makes the information of a story more visible to students. This translates into a deeper understanding, and a makes ideas more shareable, and easier to discuss. Like they say, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Many students are visual learners, and this is an excellent tool to use with them.
Burg started to incorporate video footage to accompany his literary journey. If the character experienced a dust storm, he would include actual footage of a dust storm. This way the students would feel like the character in the story, and experience what the character was experiencing. This was a great tool reading “The Grapes of Wrath”, a commonly read literature story for High School students. The book was very controversial at the time, examining the migrant workers life, and the “dust-bowl”. It is a very important part of California history, and Burg has made it more interesting and realistic through his Google Lit Trips Web site.
1.Is Google Lit Trips Web sit something that would be useful in my classroom?
I think this could be a very valuable tool for classroom use. I think that it presents the information in a very real way for the students. They can actually visualize the characters journey, and experience it along with them. Since I have only one computer in my room, I could project it from my computer, through the Epson projector for the entire class to view.
2.Would this website be too complicated for my students?
I often find my kids on Google Earth, when they’re supposed to be working on other material. They obviously know how to get there already, and actually enjoy viewing the website.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Intro letter
Hi! My name is Margie Bitsimis. I am originally from Long Island, New York. East Meadow to be exact. I attended Elementary, Junior High, and High School there. They turned my Elementary and Junior High into condo’s. I guess people stopped having kids after the baby boom generation, of which I am a part of.
I have never, before today, worked on a Mac computer. I own a PC, but I would not say I am very proficient on it. I basically e-mail, and look up websites of interest. I also pay some bills online, which is pretty advanced for me. I took an online course this summer, so I learned about chat rooms and how to post papers/comments. That about covers my extent of computer knowledge.
The part of the UCSM Mission Statement that I feel I can relate the most to is the part about life-long learning. As an “older” student returning to college, I find myself enjoying being back in a classroom again. There is so much to learn. You don’t reach an age, and think you know everything, that there is nothing new for you to learn. The world is constantly changing, and we must be open to learning new and exciting thoughts, and welcome new ideas and ways of thinking. We should all be constant learners, and be willing to accept that we don’t know everything, and be willing to change our way of thinking and acting to better facilitate our students learning and needs.
I have never, before today, worked on a Mac computer. I own a PC, but I would not say I am very proficient on it. I basically e-mail, and look up websites of interest. I also pay some bills online, which is pretty advanced for me. I took an online course this summer, so I learned about chat rooms and how to post papers/comments. That about covers my extent of computer knowledge.
The part of the UCSM Mission Statement that I feel I can relate the most to is the part about life-long learning. As an “older” student returning to college, I find myself enjoying being back in a classroom again. There is so much to learn. You don’t reach an age, and think you know everything, that there is nothing new for you to learn. The world is constantly changing, and we must be open to learning new and exciting thoughts, and welcome new ideas and ways of thinking. We should all be constant learners, and be willing to accept that we don’t know everything, and be willing to change our way of thinking and acting to better facilitate our students learning and needs.
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