Finally, my final blog posting- EDUC5163 ...what would you write?

Well, although I am somewhat sad that this is technical my 'final' blog posting - I am very excited to be at the end of my academic journey in my M.Ed degee. However, I do plan on continuing to contribute to all of my blogs because I would never want to stop being a life long learner. 

Both assistive tech  (5163 & 5173) courses were  learning curves for me, but luckily I was able to collaborate with great people to learn and to present my ideas on the technology and the research surrounding reading processes, writing processes, disabilities and their supportive tools.

The blog presentations today were awesome.  Using Elluminate Live to be able to access my classmates work supports my reading and writing process! :) I really enjoyed watching every one's hard work being presented.  These blogs are not only blogs, they represent teacher experiences, resources and research from various grade levels and classroom experiences. 

I've learned so many things in Elluminate  -  I can't wait to try out on the faculty and students: the timer, the webcam, and it's ability for the ccollaboration of work.  Thank you once again to all of my fellow classmates! It's been quite a journey..and out of all my M.Ed courses, Assistive Tech courses are the two courses that will contribute the most to my career and teaching journey.
-cheers
-Shelley Poirier, M.Ed
 it's got a nice ring to it :)

Reading & Access to Literacy - My Final Blog Posting

It is my hope that this blog introduces users, educators and adminstrators to the world of performance and access to litercy for students with various disabilities including learning disablities.

Within this blog, I attempted to present and introduce the keys learning fundamentals, the tools and accessible formats about and for reluctant readers. 

Within this blog, you will find research, ideas, videos on a variety of the learning tools for students with dyslexia, visual impairments, hearing impairments, autism, and cognitive delay, ADHD and the fundamentals of the reading process.

Developing this blog has been an incredible experience of learning into the world of both reading and writing.  Enjoy.

-sp

Reluctant Readers - Gone to the Dogs at the Public Library

Compensatory Reading - SQUIBBLE - Portable Braille.

Part 1

The Texas School for the Blind provides the full Compensatory Reading and Writing Curricula and Resources on the schools web page.  This sight offers a list of curriculum requirments and learning skills to develop tactile perception and braille recognition.

What a excellent way to share their comprehensive program for teaching braille to young teens.

CLICK  the link to check out the site.



Part 2

Learn more about Squibble - portable braille!

Read a review from Engadget about of one of the coolest 'gadgets' - Coming Soon!!

 " We've been seeing some interesting devices aimed at making life easier for the blind recently, but none that have captured our attention quite like the Squibble from UK designer Andrew Mitchell. The pocketable Braille interface allows users to operate mobile phones and other technology over Bluetooth, using 779 ultrasonic motors to lift illuminated caps against a silicon cover and form Braille letters and other easy-to-understand icons. There's also audio feedback, and a grip that allows for use without having to set it down flat like other Braille readers. Pretty ingenious stuff -- and Andrew says development is "advanced," so hopefully this will go from concept to real product relatively soon.

Expanding Access to Literacy

Online and distance education is an incredible way for students who are unable to "get to school".  This doesn't only include students living in remote access, but for those students with disorders or disabilities and who simply cannot come to class.  For example, I met many students who want to complete a GED.  However, due to a disorder (anxiety, depression) or a disability...and that the student would like the challenge to remain private, they are unable to come to an actual class.

Askov's (2003) paper on Expanding Access to Literacy with Online Distance Education discusses the expansion of Online or Distance education can support students, educators and schools to ultimately work to find ways to succeed!

Click here for the full paper.

No Synchronous or Asynchronous User Left Behind

Learning has changed in the last ten years and assistive technology class has allowed me to learn in an  asynchronous learning forum using Blackboard Collaborate  I examined the reading process, the learner, the skills and the technology to promote and support the functions and design behind reading.

 Here is the white paper -  No User Left Behind- Blackboard Collaborate and the Accessibility Imperative  which explain this process.  This 12-pg white paper provides facts and information describing the accessibility benefits and overall educational experience within asynchronous learning environments.   

One Hundred and Twenty Pages of Literacy Research - PDF format

Understanding How Kids Learn To Read and Why They Have Difficulty

The Writing Process Project - Coming Soon to a Blog Near You.

This weekend we (Paul, Catherine and I) worked collaboratively on our Writing Process Blog. Blogger offers the multi-author tool so we can contribute, write, add, edit and link our posts together! It is an awesome way to find out what your group partner is doing and to stay on track, and it doesn't duplicate the resources or posted materials!
Yeah for Blogger...especially that it's free!

We are definitely learning about depth and scope within Writing Process, from the brains executive functions, to assistive technology products, and the relevant research that supports the work.
Our blog is going to serve as an excellent resource for teachers in all grades and with all levels of students.  It's turning out to be an incredible piece of work!

Our Presentations!

We filled our class with all the many incredible APPS used in access to literacy as well as the reading process, we looked at:

•  Dragon,
• VBookz 
• Voice Memo 
•  All APPS available in the ITunes store.

The ABC's - Fundamentals in the Reading Process

Let your fingers do the walking while entering into the world of literacy and the reading process.  

Throughout the reading process of an individual, each of these IPod APPs provide the literal and illustration needs to promote cognitive and

The following are the three favorite APPS for reading.  They are meant for very young emergent readers to promote phonological, visual and auditory memory, cause and affect, as well, fine motor skills.   My class-partner (Barb Jessome) and I presented our three favorite APPS - 1) Farm Animals, Grammar Jammer and ABC Tracing. 

Farm Animals is an 'interactive' app where the learner can trace with their recognizing an animals and then including a word to recognize.  Once the learner has successfully traced the number, they are promoted on to the next one.

Grammar Jammer provides the music to jam while learning and reinforcing the fundamental principles of grammar:  nouns, pronouns verbs adjectives, pronouns etc.  There is also a representation of the

ABC Tracing - the basic fundamentals of hand eye coordination, attention to task, prompting and of course the tracing on the Ipod of each letter (capital and lowercase) for recognizing it.

The research & The websites - PBL, LD, and AT, and inclusion

I found a few interesting website and articles:

• PBL - Queens University Center for Teaching and Learning includes resources for problem based learning, and how to include it within curriculum and instruction.
• PDF article:  Assistive Technology to Promote Inclusion
• PDF article:  E-Inclusion:  Learning Difficulties and Digital Technologies

A Virtural and Live collaborative effort- Kurzweil

After entering the BlackBoard/Elluminate live classroom,  Barb, technically referred to in Elluminate as 'moderator' walked us through the "LIVE" class on the technical and  interface of Kurzweil ( btw - using the tutorials was really helpful).   Once we went through the basics, Catherine, Paul and I, (Paul was at his home..so he joined us in the virtual room ) worked collaboratively on the sample document A Horse's Tale (by Mark Twain).

We initially noticed a few of the Kurzweil v. comparisons from the beginning. Catherine and I 'chatted' and interacted with Paul via remote access from his PC where he was moderating and facilitating the room.  Easy, no delay, it was great!  This is something I am definitely going to be using at work! 

Using Kurzweil, a really simple, yet powerful software, we attempted to foster the skills and cognitive abilities of reading by developing a reading curriculum. We used some of key functions within Kurzweil to make our reading 'assignment' more interactive for the learner - who we decided was a male with learning disabilities in reading and who is also reluctant to read.  So we needed to include visual and auditory stimulation throughout the work, to self motivate and to prompt the flow and direction of  his reading.

We very easily integrated sticky notes (for prompting and direction), video (visual and auditory), book marks (used for definition), various types of test questions m/c t/f  (to reinforce and assess progression in literacy skills).

We also included a external hyperlink (the learner only needs to double click on the work) to view a YouTube video reinforcing the reading materials, and therefore maintaining learner attention and interest.  We also included an audio recording describing vocabulary.  While saving the file, we then decided upon completion to convert the file to an MP3 for mobility.

1- Reading Remediation Strategies and Supports for Reluctant Readers - Kurzweil 3000

Kurzweil 3000 – is what appears to be a powerful text to speech software.  Today I watched  a webinar on the basics of the software.  It's purpose is to simply helps students with decoding and breaking down words, because students with cognitive and learning/literacy, visual impairments and various other reading challenges often can get - as my webinar host Barbara Welsford describes - "lost in breaking down the words".

Kurzweil can also be integrated into a literacy program for children with attention issues, and comprehension difficulties.  It includes a writing component within it.

The host 'walked' me through the basics, ie.  4 main toolbars etc. along with,  how to use what's called " application share" in BlackBoard - (something that I can't wait to show the NBCC faculty).  Kurzweil also has the compatibility to scan (if you have a scanner) or photocopy and read it!  It also can read all kinds of files, pdfs etc.  As well, provides dictionary support and access to the web.  Kurzweil also tracks and highlights, key words as it's 'reading' (a perfect leader for children with attention and concentration issues ) allowing the reading to pick out more key info and get more interaction.

I really like the idea of having class participants use their raising of hands in BBoard!

Another awesome feature - French translation - just hit translate, although the (v.12) the information is imported and then change it to French.

I hesitated with the listening to the robotic voice, however thinking about the children who have very strong auditory skillsAnother great video showing the feature – ‘sticky notes’ with in the Kurzwell format.

Apps & the Access to Literacy

Today, I downloaded the following Ipod Touch APPS.  An incredibly easy and addictive process! Below is a mishmash of what I downloaded to my Touch.  My classmate partner - Barbara Jessome - Blog- downloaded and describes the following APPS used to provide access to literacy 11) Balloon Darts 12) Kids Can Read 13) Phone for Kids 14) Read Me Stories 15) ABC phonics 16) Grammar Jammer 17) Sentence Builder 18) KidsSticks 19) Three Pigs 20) Farm Animals. 

We also downloaded more; however, I think we;re on the verge needing of an 'APP buying Intervention! Here is a brief description of their purpose and relevancy. 

 A great way to develop words (literacy) and interact

I choose the Human Anatomy APP
first, because my daughter is going into nursing.. and secondly, because
I know my students would love it! That's it.  I was in impulse buy and it's a incredibly visually appealing APP!



You would be surprised how many mature students (who have low literacy skills
need to 'restart the engine to literacy', as I like to put it!  This APP does exactly that,
it's visual! Promoting learning for that visual learner - and many adult are visual!

Who am I? 
This is a simple, yet powerful app to promote
basic and simple skills of identification, it's colorful
and easy to move through.  K-3 would LOVE this APP!

 

ABC's easy as 123 - easy to use and voice interactive
tracing allows the students to follow along. 



Crossword - is a great learning tool to assist with
literacy and learning tough theory definitions 

Toddler Shapes



Pictoral - letters in pictures
A great way to represent visual and comprehension



I am a teacher of adults, who is always looking for new and innovative ways to promote literacy in science, specifically in pre-tech or engineering courses.  This app is interactive and extremely easy to use. A must of any 'mature' learner heading back to college to update or learn new skills!

BlackBoard.. not your typical chalkboard

This is so exciting.  To finally see the 'latest version' of Eluminate Live (now BlackBoard).  I was interested in the overview of the video/ audio and white board capabilities and presentation modes (chatbox, customization functions).  As the BlackBoard instructional administrator for my campus, I try to incorporate synchronous/asynchronous learning enviornments to my students.  I've used and trained faculty on how to use Adobe Connect, and I think its incredibly beneficial for all my students to become accustomed to learning within it. 

What a great way for the learner to review, review and review what they are learning and to always have the opportunity a few clicks away.. or stored on their laptop..and some day on their IPads.

Barb Welsford and her moderator presented Apps for Children with Learning Disabilities.  This recorded session described the learning disabilities, impairments, ASD, early learning, visual and communication impairments.  Barb also displayed the various intuitive APPS within the IPOD Touch to provide accessibility, social interaction, as well as to assist in the ability to formulate in the writing process and use the long term memory.  Some of the APPS explored during the session are - Audiobooks, A-Z reading, and the absolutely adorable POPOut Rabbit story, as well as Dragon Dictation, Typo- word prediction for students with visual impairments.

I made a specific note of how to convert documentation (Stanza) to vBookz via Itunes.  A fairly easy process to assist and promote further literacy needs. Also, the Math APPs are an excellent addition (no pun intended) to any high school or pre-technology program where students need to 'update' rudimentary math skills.  I was somewhat familiar with various APPS described.  ProloquoToGo and SoundingBoard was something we looked at last summer. 
The only problem I can see with any of these APPS is not having enough time during the day to shop!

The second recorded session was Apps in Action for Reluctant Readers.  Reluctant readers are hard to please. However, the IPod Touch can really make a huge difference!  Audio Books and Cliff's notes are key tools to READING and LEARNING as they provide interest, as well as interaction. The opportunities that this presents for the adult learner are endless.  Most post-secondary learners are reluctant readers, so Cliff's notes can enable them with the ease and confidence to not only read, but learn to enjoy and eventually love it.

Give A Teacher The Tools - See, Hear and Touch

I wanted to highlight some of the fun and easy to use Apps that I downloaded  from the APPS store, in today's class. Here are three, the first is 1) AlphaBaby, and as you can see in the plug for Apple - it speaks for itself. Teachers can use it for fun, as well as, cognitive, visual and auditory development 2)The second one is Tracing - An incredible way to assist the learner in the skill of staying on "attention to task" while tracing, while re-inforcing dexterity movement and motion. 3) SPEAK IT! No, this isn't the voice of Mr. Roboto either, this APP converts text to speach in a very clear and articulate method. The auditory tools and benefits will provide assistance for those with visual disabilities.





Tracing Apps for kids

My Journals

Thank goodnees for the two Assistive Technology courses I've taken, as they have equipped me with the skills to journaling my academic journey.  I blog in two other forums.

First Nations Curriculum

Assistive Technology

Rewiring the Brain! Mapping the Task Analysis of Reading

Today's Assistive Tech class encompassed and presented research, resources and technology to map the way we read.  First, we watched a PBS video on the 'Secret Life of the Brain'.  This video presented the complexity of reading, something we take for granted as being 'easy' to do.
In collaboration with my classmate, we used Inspiration (r)9.0 (along with How the Special the Needs Brain Learns by David Sousa & it also has a study guide)  to brainstorm and design a task analyis map for reading.   First, I have to say, it took a lot longer than I thought and second, it was really fun to do.  The exercise provided for a more indepth and broader scope of how vocabulary, rich language and attention all go into the reading process. Fasinating!


Here is MaryaAnn Wolfe, describing the process in greater detail.





Finally our beginnings for a work of art -The Task Analysis of Reading. Many changes will occur with the process as I continue my research and assistive technology journey.

Touching Technology

I have been using my Ipod Touch (travel, taking notes, and downloading awesome apps) since 2007. So, when I began downloading educational APPS for the EDUC5173 assistive technology course, it opened an entire other world. Looking forward to tomorrow's class!

A small community with big learning ideas!

A majority of my Masters work has been on the developing learning activities and quality curriculum for First Nations learners. My First Nations Curriculum Blog presents research findings, technology associations, and Aboriginal stories on the challenges and integration of information technology and communications for learning.  One inspriring story of technology integration comes from the Eel Ground First Nations.

READING - back to the basics

I thought I knew how to read. I should say... I thought I knew the steps used to read.  I would have described this process as:  1) good book 2) glass of wine 3) comfy chair.  This is not so.  Today, I learned that the processes involved in reading is indepth and wide in scope.  This process is what's referred to as a Task Analysis - thoroughly defining the cognitive and brain functioning steps to read a paragraph.

I counted 16 required tasks were required to read one small paragraph. Executable and developmental functions are required, visual, sounds, languages are all included in the analysis of reading. Dr. Marilyn Jager Adams really explained the depth and scope of reading and representations, past, present and in the technological future.  This is an excellent presentation by Dr. Jager Adams describing language and pictures that represent learning.

KURZWEIL & Shelby

The world of the adult learner is fast-paced, challenging and requires critical thinking; so just imagine for a minute the world of the adult learner with a disability.  Their learning world is not only challenging, it is often paralyzing.  Technology can help! With only a few clicks, adults with disabilities can access dynamic and interactive technological tools for assistance in the learning environment.