Well, I just completed my first ever screen cast using Jing. Very cool. Jing is very easy to use and was simple to install. It didn't take very long to catch on to how to use Jing; it had a great tutorial.
I did the screen cast on the Kurzweil 3000 software program. Kurzweil 3000 reads pdfs, Word documents, e-books by converting them into kesi files. Kurzweil 3000 also has word processing to help students who struggle with writing. If you aren't familiar with the program, the screen cast is a quick drive by of some of Kurzweil 3000's features. Check it out.
http://screencast.com/t/D50dSZNro
Monday, 31 October 2011
Friday, 28 October 2011
Skype: Part 2
Well, using Skype is pretty neat. Sharing your screen is a really neat feature. My brother-in-law is a computer god, so whenever we run into some type of trouble, he is able to troubleshoot for us by having us go to different parts of our computer. He has helped get our wireless printer working, get a faster internet connection, and recreate pictures that were accidentally erased off of our computer.
This is all I'll do for today. I'm home sick with a cold (the whole family is sick). Talk to you all on Monday.
This is all I'll do for today. I'm home sick with a cold (the whole family is sick). Talk to you all on Monday.
Skype: Part 1
Blog for Thursday, October 27, 2011
I have to say thanks to everyone from my 07:755 class. Many of your discussions on Skype have helped to clarify what is due and what assignments should look like for our class. I have been feeling quite overwhelmed and you have all helped tremendously.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and perspectives. The "chat" feature of Skype is so useful. You can post a comment or question and have it answered and don't have to worry about if someone is on Skype at the moment that you post (not like a call). It seemed strange to me that a video/audio internet "phone" would use SMS, but seeing how useful it has been makes perfect sense.
Thanks again for helping narrow down what to do for assignments in this class. It was through chatting on Skype that I found another classmate to do some recording with. Pretty cool.
I have to say thanks to everyone from my 07:755 class. Many of your discussions on Skype have helped to clarify what is due and what assignments should look like for our class. I have been feeling quite overwhelmed and you have all helped tremendously.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and perspectives. The "chat" feature of Skype is so useful. You can post a comment or question and have it answered and don't have to worry about if someone is on Skype at the moment that you post (not like a call). It seemed strange to me that a video/audio internet "phone" would use SMS, but seeing how useful it has been makes perfect sense.
Thanks again for helping narrow down what to do for assignments in this class. It was through chatting on Skype that I found another classmate to do some recording with. Pretty cool.
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Deaf/Hard of Hearing Networking Day
Tomorrow is a networking day in Winnipeg at Manitoba School for the Deaf for deaf students and their teachers. What a great idea! We have a deaf student at our school, but there are no other students who speak ASL, so, unless there is an interpreter or computer nearby, he doesn't have anyone to communicate with. He is so excited about being able to talk with is peers.
I am looking forward to the day because one of the teacher sessions deals with technology for deaf/hard of hearing students. Being so far removed from a large deaf community, I don't know that much about what technologies are available. I recently was given a closed captioning program to have teachers use in their classrooms to help this student be able to read what they are saying, but do not really know what else is out there.
When I think about social media in terms of working with the deaf population, I think of how something as simple as texting has helped open up a world of communication for people who otherwise had no way of communicating to the world. I hope to learn a lot tomorrow that will help me open up a new ways of communication for this student to those who do not know or speak ASL.
I am looking forward to the day because one of the teacher sessions deals with technology for deaf/hard of hearing students. Being so far removed from a large deaf community, I don't know that much about what technologies are available. I recently was given a closed captioning program to have teachers use in their classrooms to help this student be able to read what they are saying, but do not really know what else is out there.
When I think about social media in terms of working with the deaf population, I think of how something as simple as texting has helped open up a world of communication for people who otherwise had no way of communicating to the world. I hope to learn a lot tomorrow that will help me open up a new ways of communication for this student to those who do not know or speak ASL.
Final Paper: Part 3
Blog for Tuesday, October 25, 2011
I suppose that it is time that I check out Ebscohost to see what kind of journal articles can be found about Interactive White Boards. I have found a lot of information just doing Google searches, but I also want to find peer-reviewed journal articles that are less than 10 years old that are in "good" journals.
Speaking of journals, I was asked to submit one of my papers from a previous class to the Brandon University journal. I think I will submit it, but I'll have to work on editing/revising the paper sometime after this class is over. It is strange, until I started taking my graduate diploma, I had no interest in research or writing, but as the classes went on, I began to develop a real sense of purpose for my job as I began researching and writing. Now, that I am in my 10th class and will be receiving my graduate diploma in the Spring, I am prepared to say that I will be pursuing the 54 credit-hour masters, but I think I should wait until we stop having kids. It feels like my 3 and 5 month old barely know me.
I suppose that it is time that I check out Ebscohost to see what kind of journal articles can be found about Interactive White Boards. I have found a lot of information just doing Google searches, but I also want to find peer-reviewed journal articles that are less than 10 years old that are in "good" journals.
Speaking of journals, I was asked to submit one of my papers from a previous class to the Brandon University journal. I think I will submit it, but I'll have to work on editing/revising the paper sometime after this class is over. It is strange, until I started taking my graduate diploma, I had no interest in research or writing, but as the classes went on, I began to develop a real sense of purpose for my job as I began researching and writing. Now, that I am in my 10th class and will be receiving my graduate diploma in the Spring, I am prepared to say that I will be pursuing the 54 credit-hour masters, but I think I should wait until we stop having kids. It feels like my 3 and 5 month old barely know me.
Monday, 24 October 2011
Final Paper: Part 2
This weekend I was able to start seriously working on my final paper. I have begun by looking at research pertaining to how student engagement studies have been done and how student engagement has been measured. I think that by tweaking a survey from Wisconsin that I can actually do a real survey of high school students.
Even though this paper is for the 07:755 class, I will be able to do meaningful research on whether or not interactive whiteboards do enhance student engagement and what the best use(s) of interactive white boards are. The data collection should help teachers as they try to engage students and it should help our school division realize how important it is to invest in technology. If this action research project can help verify that technology use is not just "gimmicky" but provides teachers and students with invaluable support in learning, then our school division may find it easier to support purchases of other technology (I'm really interested in clickers in the classroom...that'll have to wait, though).
Even though this paper is for the 07:755 class, I will be able to do meaningful research on whether or not interactive whiteboards do enhance student engagement and what the best use(s) of interactive white boards are. The data collection should help teachers as they try to engage students and it should help our school division realize how important it is to invest in technology. If this action research project can help verify that technology use is not just "gimmicky" but provides teachers and students with invaluable support in learning, then our school division may find it easier to support purchases of other technology (I'm really interested in clickers in the classroom...that'll have to wait, though).
Thursday, 20 October 2011
Final Paper: Part 1
Well, it looks as if I finally have a direction for where to go in terms of my final paper. I have been interested in student engagement for the last few years, actually ever since starting to take courses for my special ed certificate. I have been intrigued about what causes student disengagement and what schools can do to change this.
Taking this course, I have been thinking about all of the ways that technology can impact student engagement. There are so many ways that students can use technology in class: cell phones, blogging, twitter, Skype, etc. I have been looking at what type of action research project that could be undertaken that would be information that would be useful to staff here at Killarney School.
Last night I had a brainwave (it was at 3:19 am; I know this because our 5 month old was up at that time...she has a really bad cold right now) while half asleep. Last spring our school received a grant from the Killarney Foundation to help get every classroom into the digital age. Each classroom...I repeat, each classroom...was set up with a digital projector, laptop, and interactive white board (Smartboard or Mimio). Well, at 3:19 this morning, my brain started spinning and I came up with an idea for a survey for teachers and one for students that could help determine whether using an interactive smartboard increases student engagement.
After school today, I googled "interactive whiteboard, student engagement", and a plethora of research studies, powerpoints, and articles came up. I think I found my action research project thesis. Now to start writing...
Taking this course, I have been thinking about all of the ways that technology can impact student engagement. There are so many ways that students can use technology in class: cell phones, blogging, twitter, Skype, etc. I have been looking at what type of action research project that could be undertaken that would be information that would be useful to staff here at Killarney School.
Last night I had a brainwave (it was at 3:19 am; I know this because our 5 month old was up at that time...she has a really bad cold right now) while half asleep. Last spring our school received a grant from the Killarney Foundation to help get every classroom into the digital age. Each classroom...I repeat, each classroom...was set up with a digital projector, laptop, and interactive white board (Smartboard or Mimio). Well, at 3:19 this morning, my brain started spinning and I came up with an idea for a survey for teachers and one for students that could help determine whether using an interactive smartboard increases student engagement.
After school today, I googled "interactive whiteboard, student engagement", and a plethora of research studies, powerpoints, and articles came up. I think I found my action research project thesis. Now to start writing...
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
Closing the Gap: Part 8
You'd think that I'd run out of things to write about "Closing the Gap", but there is so much to learn at the conference.
(Beamz Interactive, 2011)
Today I'm going to write about the Beamz Interactive Music System. "What is the Beamz Interactive Music System?" you might ask. Well, have you heard of Guitar Hero? Rock Band? The Beamz Interactive Music System uses laser beams to create music. The way it works is simple enough...the beamz player has 4 lasers, and by passing your hand through it, music is created.
The beamz music library includes rock, pop, jazz, blues, classical, dance, hip hop, club, country, etc. music (Beamz, 2011). Not only are there so many genres to play with, it is possible to play up to 12 different instruments in one song.
Watch the Demo (Beamz Interactive, 2010)
Why I am so interested in this software/device is because of the special needs students that I work with. Many of them have poor fine and gross motor skills. This program gives them an opportunity to interact with music similar to what is done with a Wii or the Guitar Hero/Rock Band instruments that their limited motor skills has prevented them from using. It also helps them develop their skills through using the beamz player.
References
Beamz Interactive. (Designer). (2010). 2010 beamz marketing video w/artists. [Web Video]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPJwhXduh60&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active
Beamz Interactive. (2011). The beams-interactive music system. Retrieved from http://thebeamz.com/
(Beamz Interactive, 2011)Today I'm going to write about the Beamz Interactive Music System. "What is the Beamz Interactive Music System?" you might ask. Well, have you heard of Guitar Hero? Rock Band? The Beamz Interactive Music System uses laser beams to create music. The way it works is simple enough...the beamz player has 4 lasers, and by passing your hand through it, music is created.
The beamz music library includes rock, pop, jazz, blues, classical, dance, hip hop, club, country, etc. music (Beamz, 2011). Not only are there so many genres to play with, it is possible to play up to 12 different instruments in one song.
Watch the Demo (Beamz Interactive, 2010)
Why I am so interested in this software/device is because of the special needs students that I work with. Many of them have poor fine and gross motor skills. This program gives them an opportunity to interact with music similar to what is done with a Wii or the Guitar Hero/Rock Band instruments that their limited motor skills has prevented them from using. It also helps them develop their skills through using the beamz player.
References
Beamz Interactive. (Designer). (2010). 2010 beamz marketing video w/artists. [Web Video]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPJwhXduh60&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active
Beamz Interactive. (2011). The beams-interactive music system. Retrieved from http://thebeamz.com/
Closing the Gap: Part 7
Blog for Tuesday, October 18
Today I was rummaging through a bag that I won at "Closing the Gap" and found a list of apps for the iPad/iPod that help students with communcation difficulties. One of the apps that caught my eye, and was purchased, was Pictello.
Pictello is an app by a company called AssistiveWare that helps students create talking stories and photo albums. It can be used to create stories to teach social skills or to recall events, make photo albums to allow non-speaking people to share their news and interests, share important events and memories with family who live far away, make talking books, teach narrative skills as part of a literacy or language skills curriculum, create schedules and task instructions, share stories or write group stories using iPad on a VGA monitor or interactive white board (VGA adapter required), and create multilingual stories using text-to-speech or voice recordings (AssistiveWare, 2010).
Check out this video: Introduction to Pictello
What a neat way for students to write a story and be engaged through the creative process.
References
AssistiveWare. (Designer). (2010). Introduction to pictello. [Web Video]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-B6ld4KaDWA&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active
AssistiveWare. (2010). Pictello - visual stories for everyone. Retrieved from http://www.assistiveware.com/pictello.php
Today I was rummaging through a bag that I won at "Closing the Gap" and found a list of apps for the iPad/iPod that help students with communcation difficulties. One of the apps that caught my eye, and was purchased, was Pictello.
Pictello is an app by a company called AssistiveWare that helps students create talking stories and photo albums. It can be used to create stories to teach social skills or to recall events, make photo albums to allow non-speaking people to share their news and interests, share important events and memories with family who live far away, make talking books, teach narrative skills as part of a literacy or language skills curriculum, create schedules and task instructions, share stories or write group stories using iPad on a VGA monitor or interactive white board (VGA adapter required), and create multilingual stories using text-to-speech or voice recordings (AssistiveWare, 2010).
Check out this video: Introduction to Pictello
What a neat way for students to write a story and be engaged through the creative process.
References
AssistiveWare. (Designer). (2010). Introduction to pictello. [Web Video]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-B6ld4KaDWA&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active
AssistiveWare. (2010). Pictello - visual stories for everyone. Retrieved from http://www.assistiveware.com/pictello.php
Monday, 17 October 2011
Closing the Gap: Part 6
Blog for Monday, October 17, 2011
I suppose today I should talk about the rest of “Closing the
Gap”.
One of the sessions that I attended on Friday was about
Comic Life and Adobe Pro. Comic Life is
a program where a student can easily create a comic book/strip. Our presenter showed us how to take what a
student creates in Comic Life and make it come alive by putting it into Adobe
Pro. I have had Adobe Pro on my laptop
for the last year and have used it to edit pdfs, but not in the way that I
learned on Friday.
Our presenter taught us how to incorporate sound and video
into a pdf, which a student can put on a jump drive and take how for his/her
parents to view/interact with on Adobe Reader.
This session provided me with the tools that I need to make Adobe Pro
one of the most important tools that I can use.
One of the great things about “Closing the Gap” is that, in
an effort to be sustainable (ie. Environmentally friendly), all of the
presentations (PowerPoints, etc.) are available online (check out my tweet for
how to access those). Everything that I
have blogged about has handouts that you can look over, so even if you weren’t
at “Closing the Gap”, you can still use the information covered there.
Closing the Gap: Part 5
Blog for Friday, October 14, 2011
Today was no different than the others. The quality of the sessions once again
surpassed my expectations. If you have
the opportunity to attend this conference, please do so, it will change the way
that you teach and use technology in the classroom.
Not only are the sessions great, remember I mentioned the
SWAG? Well, today one of our teachers
won the second most expensive door prize because he completed a scavenger hunt
at the trade show. He won a $750
computer program, Interact-AS. This
program is does closed-captioning for deaf students, as well as language
translation (I can speak English and it will print out what I say in one of 36
languages).
What is so awesome is that
we have a deaf student, who does not have a translator (long story, don’t get
me started on it), and we have been struggling with including him in
classes. Well, this program will help
solve most of those issues. A teacher
wears a microphone (we’ll be purchasing a wireless one), which is hooked up to
the student’s laptop, and closed-captioning is created of everything that the
teacher says. This program makes Dragon
Dictate/Naturally Speaking look like a K-car parked next to an Audi.
We now have the capability to
create an inclusive learning environment and experience for this deaf
student! I’m pumped (can’t you tell?)!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)