Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology

            Special needs students face many challenges. Even though using technology may seem far-fetched for these students it is very possible. The goal is to offer these students an increased opportunity to learn. Technology can be an amazing tool when used appropriately. This paper will provide you with suggestions on how to use this tool productively with special needs students.

            Students with mild to sever cognitive disabilities may be very successful with interactive storybooks, text-to-speech products, or reading skill software. Scholastic offers an amazing interactive storybook app called Storia and the WizCom’s Quicktionary Reading Pen is an excellent resource. Videos can also be very beneficial as long it is a good quality, teacher-reviewed video. SchoolTube is an awesome website with educational videos to accompany a wide variety of subjects.

            Students that face physical disabilities may need alternative methods instead of the keyboard or mouse. A joystick may be used to operate the cursor of a computer. Able Net, Inc. has a helpful website (http://www.ablenetinc.com/ )that offers a wide variety of assistive technology.

            Students with sensory disabilities are also able to use technology. For those that are blind, a text-to-Braille convertor may be used. The visually impaired may used closed-circuit television magnification. FM amplification systems may be used by those who are hearing impaired. Vision Cue, Tele Sensory, and Audio Enhancement are all companies that offer assistive technology for these needs. Each of the companies have a website.

            There are tools that are also appropriate for at- risk students. These students need interactive games that are very motivating and engaging. Brainpop.com is an amazing website that offers a wide variety of interactive games for different subjects. At-risk students can benefit from many types of assistive technology. The Don Johnston and Tom Snyder companies offer several tools. Their websites are very user friendly and you may search by specific needs. Ipads have became a lifesaver for some of my students. They love playing games and listening to stories on them.

            Talented and Gifted students also need special accommodations. These students need to be pushed and may be able to do more than the average students. Tools such as multimedia presentations, web page design, and electronic portfolios are tools that could be used for projects. The Duke TIP program has a website that provides very useful information for teachers and parents.  Hoagies’ Gifted Education Page also has a wonderful website. This site has a kids 101 page that contains games, puzzles, contests, and even a reading list for students.  

Bookmarking

Here is a link to my Delicious bookmarking page.
https://delicious.com/cristenblack

Wrap It Up!

I have enjoyed reading several new blogs throughout this course. Here are a few of my favorites that I have been following:
http://thefirstgradeparade.blogspot.com/
http://queenofthefirstgradejungle.blogspot.com/
http://librarycenters.blogspot.com/
I know that these may not be the most "techy" blogs to read but they have so many awesome ideas! I just love looking at the new things these ladies are doing in their classroom.
 However, one of my favorite blog post comes from the Free Technology For Teachers blog (http://www.freetech4teachers.com/) It has so may ideas on how to keep order with your classroom iPads. Lots of wonderful ideas! Here is the link
http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2013/05/three-approaches-for-getting-content-to.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+freetech4teachers%2FcGEY+%28Free+Technology+for+Teachers%29#.UYRa6yt4a5I
Can I just say that I am beyond ready for sweet summertime? I would much rather be reading these blogs on the beach! :)

Web 2.0

I really like using all of the different tools! It has been brought to my attention that these tools can be beneficial to me even when teaching first grade. We are starting our zoo unit so all of the resources pertain to that unit.

Glogster: I have to say, this was my first time using Glogster. I love that you can use this one site to pull in videos, text, and photos all into one space.http://cristenblack.edu.glogster.com/zoo-animals-on-the-move-6166/

Animoto: How easy was this? I normally would just do a quick PowerPoint, but this is definitely another option. I turned this into a little brain break video. We would use this to get up and move around.http://animoto.com/play/o0xipb1ojuEZjIpS0Ru27A

Classtools.net: What kid doesn't love playing games? These are very simple to create and the kids will love them! The game I created was SUPER basic. I plan to create more when we learn about our different habitatshttp://www.classtools.net/widgets/dustbin_7/ocHna.htm
http://www.classtools.net/mob/quiz_19/This_Is_How_We_Move_hwVtK.htm

Apps, Apps, Apps!

There are so many great apps out there, not to mention some of those are free! Here are a few of our favorites in first grade...

Spelling City: This app is great for spelling practice. Our school has the each spelling list uploaded for each week. Out kids can use this app to take practice tests, play hangman, and other games. It is just hard for me to assign spelling homework with all of the other things I have for my kids to do. This game allows them to get extra practice in a fun way.

Jumbled Sentences: This game is a big hit. Students must put the words in the correct sequence to make the sentence. They earn points which they may then spend buying stickers. There are several versions of this app. Some look a little girly and some are suitable for boys. This link should tell you a little more about it.Did I mention it is FREE???https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/jumbled-sentences-1/id545928916?mt=8

Toontastic: Another great freebie! My more advanced students do great with this app. They create stories using this app. Here is a link to tell you more. There are lots of little details that the students may use. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/toontastic-free/id404693282?mt=8

 Phonics Tic Tac Toe: I don't know about other kids, but my kiddos LOVE to play tic tac toe. This app is great! Specific phonics skills are incorporated into this fun game. Take a look https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/phonics-tic-tac-toe-interactive/id465184366?mt=8

Software In the Classroom

Here are a few of the websites that I use pretty often in my classroom. 

Our students like to do Math Facts In A Flash. Our students log on just as the were taking an AR (Accelerated Reader) test. This program is provided by Renaissance Learning. Teachers can set up student level, and also track progress. It is a great site for all ages! Here is a link to give you more information:
Math Facts In A Flash

PBS KIds is one of our favorite things to play! The kids love being able to watch videos and also play all of the games/activities. We also love to play on the ABC Ya website. The kids play these games in the computer lab for the most part. 

Our school has an Education City subscription. This website has excellent math and science games. I like that you can search through the games by concepts taught. The following link will give you information about the site and you can sign up for a free subscription:
Education City

We Love iPads!

Like I have said before, my first grade students are LOVING our new iPads! Storia is an app that we have just recently started to use. I am currently using this app in my listening center. Before, we had to purchase listening sets of at least 4 books and the book on cd. Lets face it, these books are put through it and cleaning those big head sets gets really old. After being passed around between three first grade classes pages begin to fall out, and you can only staple/tape them up so many times. The storia app allows us to purchase ebooks on the ipads instead! The kids really enjoy listening at their own pace and the best part...no pages are falling out! Our students use their own personal set of earbuds when using the iPads. I have posted a video about Storia below.
Storia Video

Here is a link to a blog post that has a few pros and cons on using iPads in the classroom. I can't get enough of the iPads. There are so many ways to use them. We have only had them for a few months so I am super excited to find even more ways to use them.
Pros and Cons