Day 2 - July 6th

We started our second day with another inspirational video that makes you think about all the kids that if we just gave them the right tools, all the things they could accomplish. It was great watching an entire team of supporters that worked together to help Tyler. I wish all students had such a great support system. A couple other things that stood out to me were the fact that it’s often not just one device or app or website that students need, but they often have multiple tools available to them at the same time for a variety of tasks including communication, mobility etc. I also like that the services Tyler receives is continuous. Many programs get introduced and then there is no follow through or continuation from year to year. I think the best part of the video for me though was that at the end, it said that he became an AT coach. Who better to advocate and teach others how to use the technology than someone who is actively using it.

Something that really bothered me while watching the video and listening to the discussions after is that our board seems to be so far behind the SSRSB. We have students that use IPads but not nearly to the extent that they could be used for. It is very eye-opening how much technology is out there. I wish our kids had more access.

I really like how technology doesn’t just get handed out until an assessment is done and everyone has been trained properly. Too many times new technology gets dropped into our schools and staff and students don’t know how to use it, so it either doesn’t get used or gets misused.

Sadly I have also heard many teachers (and students) make comments about certain students having access to technology.  I think other students may also need some education about assistive technology, so they understand that it is not cheating. 

I like using the IPads. I just sometimes find that certain websites etc. don’t work (flashplayer). I found one APP (Puffin Academy) that allows my students IPad access to mymaths.co.uk which requires flashplayer. MyMaths is a website we have starting using a few years ago with grades 6 to 8. It is an online learning portal. It essentially has a library of math tasks that teachers can set for students that get automatically marked and feedback gets send back to the student and teacher. Students are more likely to complete their homework on there as it’s game-like.

I thought this statement was really powerful:

“The Curriculum has the Disability”

I got quite excited about some of the math Apps on the screen today, and I can’t wait to try them out. 

I also really like the idea of digitizing worksheets etc. for all students.

Modes of Communication:

1. Hand Gestures
2. Writing (notes, letters, post cards etc.)
3. Body Language
4. Signing
5. Texting
6. Instant Messaging
7. Emailing
8. Talking Facte-to-Face
9. Facial Expressions
10. Touch
11. Symbolism
12. Tone of voice
13. Talking on the Phone
14. Video Chat
15. Sounds (e.g. whistling) 

I am really looking forward to working on our first assignment tomorrow. Joy and I have a great plan in place, and I really like the ideas we have come up with so far.

Finally, I found a very cheesy song on communication J