January 12, 2013 First class reflection

Awe and shock...that best describes my reaction to this course.
As always when new ways of reaching students, new ways of thinking and new tools are introduced, my world is never the same. Here are some phrases and ideas that resonated with me from class 1:

• universal design for learning
• paper information is not always accessible or engaging to all students
• focus should be independent learning
• DAISY digital talking book/document player
• Providing access to a task and improving and enhancing performance of a task
• A student referral is always started with a full assessment – skill set, needs, environment/milieu, tasks required, the technology itself, etc.
• Prismo- take a photo of a document and it will format into speaking document
• Ipad use for blind students on Youtube
• Calming apps
• Convergence of technology – all technology coming together in one mobile device
• i-Translate
• Presuming competence rather focusing on deficits
• See potential, assume competence
• Socially physical  personally, intellectually inclusive
• Strive so students don’t feel alone or alone-ness
• Enlighten them to their own potential
• iMovie trailer!

As an administrator I look at our students with special needs who would benefit from new technology to uncover their potential; I also look at our teachers who work with our students with special needs who work so tirelessly to meet their needs. One challenge I face is to provide time for teachers to try new apps, programs and tools within their already full schedule and not to burden them with another seemingly addition to their workload. In my experience I find the best way is along with carving precious time, is to successfully model assistive technology with a student.

For example, we have a 5 yr old student with ASD, low-functioning, and no communication. Both his mother and the teacher were reluctant to use an iPad with him, fearing that he would break it or at the very least not respond to it. How would we ever show him how it works? Why would an iPad be successful when a laptop, netbook and PC hadn't worked in the past? He was placed in the floor with an iPad and instantly he touched the Angry Birds icon. The EPA was amazed and set up the first level for him. The iPad is so intuitive that the student was able to shoot birds at the pigs and buildings within seconds. He laughed and would not give the iPad back. His mother was in tears. She had never witnessed him focus on anything for this long or relate to any game to this extent. He was interacting with this piece of technology. Very moving.

So after the first class that's the 'awe' part...the 'shock' part lies in my feeling overwhelmed at the huge learning curve ahead of me. My first task of creating a blog seems daunting but here goes!

Here is a video that is truly moving...Tyler talks about his abilities rather than his disabilities. How amazing a change in attitude and perception makes!