Today was our first class. We covered a great deal of information and I
was again blown away with the versatility of iDevices. We started with PollEV
which I had never seen before. What a
great site. We were given iPads and
instructed to go to the site where questions were asked and response options
given, or a space to write a response.
When we chose our answer it appeared on the main screen. This data collection was then represented in
different ways such as a wordle, our answer up in a speech bubble, and could be
put into various graphs. This was really
neat. It allowed us to share our answers
without the fear that sometimes comes with being wrong. When the data was used to create a wordle we
could see consensus by the size of the words.
This technology could be used in class meetings when you want to see
trends forming, or it could be used in brainstorming where people do not want their
names attached to an idea but want to share that idea. It could be used in a graphing lesson or
during a presentation when you wish to get feedback from what you are teaching
to see where the still unclear parts are in what you have taught. Great site!
Here is a video showing how to use it.
The next topics we covered was UDL which is Universal Design in Learning, Convergence of Technologues, and Assistive Technology.
Universal Design in Learning
This
concept was initially an architectural concept that has, in the last three
decades or so, been applied to learning. Universal Design is the idea that
building, spaces, technologies and so forth need to be designed from the
beginning with the most amount of users in mind. A classic example are curb
cuts, once not a common sight, now law, they not only allow for people pushing
baby strollers to cross the street, but also people who are
wheelchair users, delivery people, people pulling shopping carts and others.
Universal design for learning has commonalities,
but there are some differences. Cast does a good job of shedding light on the
concept:
A greater number of companies are thinking about UD when they are designing their products. Apple has become known for having many adaptable features built in so that extra add ons are unnecessary. in an iDevices I can manipulate many features to suit the needs of each user. This ability is what has created such a following for apple products. They are simple to use and can be enjoyed by many different types of users.
With the popularity of iDevices a new movement in Assistive Technology is happening. But, first I will give a brief over view of what AT is.
"Assistive technology is technology used by individuals with disabilities in order to perform functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible. Assistive technology can include mobility devices such as walkers and wheelchairs, as well as hardware, software, and peripherals that assist people with disabilities in accessing computers or other information technologies. For example, people with limited hand function may use a keyboard with large keys or a special mouse to operate a computer, people who are blind may use software that reads text on the screen in a computer-generated voice, people with low vision may use software that enlarges screen content, people who are deaf may use a TTY (text telephone), or people with speech impairments may use a device that speaks out loud as they enter text via a keyboard."
What is AT?
Assistive Technology is based on a continuum of low tech, medium tech, and high tech and each level should be tried in sequence. There is no sense in having someone buy a laptop so they can know which class to go to before you have given them a day planner to try, for example. You need to know what the person is trying to accomplish, and in which setting. There are many guiding principles out there that assist in making good decisions on what AT is needed for each situation so that money in not wasted from abandonment and uselessness for the consumer.
This leads into the next concept that we covered in class,
Convergence of Technology
Convergence of Technology is bringing pieces of technology together and making them available on one physical unit. iDevices are not static pieces of equipment, they are adaptable and every changing through app selection. Same piece of equipment used in many different ways.
When dealing with assessment in AT one is supposed to stay within the low,mid,high concept but the iPad has changed that. One would not recommend a computer for a day timer, but one could recommend an iPad for a day timer, knowing that it will turn into an e-book reader, academic lessons, sensory regulation, music, movies, Internet and the list goes on. It has completely changed AT assessment. It has also changed the cost of accessibility. One device for under $500 that does hundreds of things was unheard of 10 years ago.
Book Creator and iMovie
When we were explaining this to the other class members we used Book Creator and iMovie. My partner and I created a book in Book Creator first and realized that we should have done it as a movie trailer because it would best suit the look we were going for. Both of these apps are very useful. I use Book Creator in my lessons almost daily. it is a fantastic app that allows emerging readers and writers the ability to be creative with print. It can have sound recorded which allows another entry point into the material.
Book Creator
iMovie
We also explored iTunesU
When iTunesU first came out I was excited to find that I could get free material from university classes about many subjects. I downloaded some history classes from Yale and classes about Archeology. It amazes me that this information was free and I was able to participant. I am most excited about learning iTunesU. There are so many possible uses for it and having access to knowledge is invaluable.
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