Twitter Reflection

Jerod Dunavant

ED 505

07/23/2013

Pros

I had no clue how helpful twitter can be to me as an educator. I had never used it before this class. Most of my friends have it and I always assumed it was a waste of time. I discovered it is a great way to benefit me as a teacher. I started following several educators including @dianadell, @devenblack, @blairteach, @courosa, @chollingsworth, @coolcatteacher and @UMRaulston. These educators are constantly posting things that teachers can find beneficial. My favorite hashtag searches were #teachers and #edchat. These hashtag searches yield so much helpful information for educators. I am really glad that I learned how to use twitter. It is a great way to talk to other educators and spread ideas. It allows us to see what is working for other educators and provides the opportunity for us to share what is working for us.

 

Cons

 

I have never used twitter before this class. I had face book during college, but when I got my job I deleted it. My principal asked me to be really careful what I did with social media. As a young single male teacher and coach I thought it would benefit my career to stay away from it. I coach with a few coaches that let what other people are saying on twitter eat them up. I do not want other peoples opinion change how I do things.

 

I have not decided if I will continue to use twitter after this course. It has some great attributes for educators. It is also a great way to keep in touch with friends and family. I am really cautious about what I put on social media. Anything I say can be taken the wrong way or misunderstood. I never knew twitter could be beneficial to educators until this course.

Social Bookmarks

http://www.symbaloo.com/mix/jeroddunavant

Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology

Jerod Dunavant

ED 505

07/16/2013

As a special needs teacher I am relatively familiar with assistive technology. Assistive technology is vital for students with disabilities. “All of the technology integration strategies discussed in this book have important applications for students with disabilities” (Roblyer & Doering. 2013,p.406). There are several assistive technologies for students with mild cognitive disabilities including reading, writing, and mathematics software. Teaching them to chart helps them learn to become organized. Organizational skills are extremely important.

When a student has a moderate to severe disability assistive technologies can provide repetition. Repetition is very important for these students along with routine. It is also very important to help them develop daily living skills. The most important thing we need to teach them is to be independent. “For individuals with moderate and severe cognitive disabilities, considerable effort is devoted to ensuring that they acquire daily living skills such as personal hygiene, shopping, and use of public transportation” (Roblyer & Doering. 2013,p.408).

Assistive technology can also be utilized for students with physical disabilities. My favorite technology for students with physical disabilities is voice recognition software. This enables students to speak type along with other things by simply speaking them. “Assistive technologies for individuals with severe physical disabilities may take the form of a power wheelchair operated by a joystick, a device with a handle that moves in all directions” (Roblyer & Doering. 2013,p.408). I have twins in my room that have wheel chairs that have been modified.

Sensory disabled students also benefit from assistive technology. “Individuals with hearing impairments need few modifications to use computers. However, a technology that is being used in the classrooms today is FM application systems” (Lewis, 2010). I am not very familiar with this technology, but I can see where it could be very beneficial for students with hearing impairments.

At-risk behaviors/situations may in some cases find assistive technology helpful. I am used to dealing with students who lack the motivation to engage in school work. TrackStar is a great technology to help with this. This technology allows teachers to organize engaging instructional activities that parallel to the curriculum. I would love to become more familiar with this technology and put it to use.

Gifted and talented students need assistive technology also. “Allowing gifted students to develop the ultimate potential of their process skills is necessary” (Roblyer & Doering.2013,p.411). Creative thinking is very important for these students. Creative learning.com is a great way to get these students develop creative thinking skills. When gifted students are given the freedom they have the opportunity to think for themselves.

 

Assistive Technology: Enabling Dreams

Check out this website on assistive technology http://t.co/qBOoiOAuvA #ED5059413UWA

— Jerod Dunavant (@14_redbone) July 16, 2013

WEB 2.0 RESOURCES

WEB 2.0 RESOURCES

http://animoto.com/play/CQMjN1dsLtCO5CGx4FD1zg

http://www.glogster.com/redbone1987/flypaper-glog-by-redbone1987/g-6kl8a1gttstsnuel7n2j0a0

TWEET

Check out this website for some amazing educational apps! http://t.co/tdYDJcn6vH #ED5059413UWA

— Jerod Dunavant (@14_redbone) July 3, 2013

Mobile Technology in the Classroom

Jerod Dunavant

ED 505

Mobile Technology in the Classroom

                In my classroom I have two autistic students and four students with intellectual disabilities. IPads are very beneficial for these students. Just like in the video we have counting activities where they touch the objects and it helps them count. We also have activities with letters, letter sounds, and sight words. Children with autism tend to be good at technological activities. This is a great way for repetition of the basic principles of math and reading.  It involves sensory learning which is vital for these students. “Sometimes the little extras go a long way” (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p. 227).

 

 

 

1.) Powerful Printing was developed for the iPad. This app would be amazing to have in my classroom! Powerful Printing has been proven to be affective by research. This app is multi-sensory and fully engages the student. It is designed to be age neutral and suitable for all learners. http://a4cwsn.com/2013/05/write-on-handwriting/

 

2.) Dexteria-Fine Motor Skill Development was developed for the iPad. This app would be very affective in my classroom. I have five students that struggle with fine motor skills. Dexteria’s hand and finger exercises make use of the iPad’s multi-touch interface to help build strength and control. http://a4cwsn.com/2012/05/dexteria-fine-motor-skill-development/

 

3.) We use Science360 in our science classes. Science360 is an app that is downloaded on our iPads. Science360 allows students to view images and videos from around the globe.  This is an amazing app that our students and teachers love.  http://science360.gov/ipad/about/

 

4.) Guess What would be a great app for my classroom. It is for use on an iPad. It is from I Can Do Apps. It has four clues and one answer. It helps students learn how to make predictions and work on deductive reasoning skills. http://a4cwsn.com/2013/04/guess-what-from-i-can-do-apps/

 

            I have learned about so many apps that I intend on using this Fall. In today’s society mobile technology is becoming essential. There are so many advantages using technology in the classroom. “Handheld technologies such as cell phones, ebooks, and smart pens, make it easier for teachers and students to view, communicate, and share information, regardless of location” (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p. 11). Technology such as iPads are a great way for teachers to stay organized. “Software tools make it easier to keep precise, accurate records of events and student accomplishments (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p. 113). Technology is such a great tool, but we have to remember the importance of teaching. “No technology is a panacea for education” (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p. 10).