I really enjoyed the hands on nature of our class today. One of the last things that Barbara Welsford said in our first class after watching Aiden's video is that it is "important to collaborate" when working with individuals that have special needs and that the "team needs to be trained" on how to use the technology. I think this is a piece that we are often missing in our schools. We have an abundance of new technology but don't get the time to just play around with it and explore it. That's why I think I really enjoyed today's task. We actually had to produce something using (in most cases) a new-to-us App or website. This was a way more effective way for me to learn about a technology.
Many of the Apps and websites look very user friendly, and I can already see how to incorporate them into my lesson as either an instructional tool or for the kids to represent/display their knowledge. I find that often the kids become teachers or at least peer tutors as well when we look at a new technology or a new-to-us website. They tend to figure out these things a lot quicker than me :-)
I watched some grade 6 Social Studies Powtoons this year and they were phenomenal. I can also see myself using the 3D Timeline App for Soc. St, Science and Art. I love the Videoscribe App. I always wondered how they made Sir Ken Robinson's Youtube video about "Changing Education Paradigms".
After my Undergrad I am pretty tired of Powerpoints. It's great to have so many other options. I also have used prezi.com and nearpod.com in the past which are just 2 more tools to present information to students.
"Presumed competence" was a term that stood out to me today:
(Retrieved from http://www.chrysalisautismctr.com/default_v3.aspx)
Perception drives Expectation
Expectations drives Opportunity
Opportunity drives Achievement
Achievement drives Perception
(Retrieved from http://praacticalaac.org/praactical/perception-and-presuming-competence/)
I think we are all guilty sometimes of putting kids in boxes or categories and assuming that they can't achieve more and set our expectations too low for them. "Presume competence" is definitely something that I need to remind myself more off throughout the year. When we presume competence, we will have more success with kids such as Aiden using EyeGaze or the boy from the climbing wall video. I really wanted to take this Assistive Technology class to gain a better insight into what tools are out there to support our students to reach their full potential.
I have to completely agree with your point of "presumed competences". It's sometimes hard to not label students or put them in boxes. Definitely something that I have to work on too as a teacher.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nike. Yes presuming competencies in all students is really the underlying essential perspective all teachers need to practice. ALL students have compentencies to learn we just need to provide the opportunities, support and tools to engage.
ReplyDeleteI agree Nike that presumed competences are something that as teachers we forget, some of us don't even know the term. I read recently an interview of Douglas Biklen who explained presumed competencies as: “Assume that a child has intellectual ability, provide opportunities to be exposed to learning, assume the child wants to learn and assert him or herself in the world.” I thought this was a very clear way of explaining something we all know, but sometimes forget to take action.
ReplyDeleteThis past school year has reaffirmed my belief in presumed competency. Unfortunately the school culture reflected difference as less than and a "can not" attitude was prevalent. I have experienced first hand the benefits of having a teacher that believes in you and provides the right tools for you to be successful. It is priceless.
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