The article makes the argument that “Assistive technologies can act as a lifeline for students with learning disabilities”. There are technologies available today to assist students with reading, writing and decoding text. These technologies are not effective first and foremost with out quality instruction and guided use of the technology.
They make the following points in the article:
• Millions of students today cannot benefit fully from their education programs because of learning disabilities, even where the schools have top of the line technology.
• Approximately 44 percent of students with learning disabilities spend 80 percent or more of their school day in inclusive classrooms.
• Assistive technology is most often used in special education classrooms.
• There are programs, such as “Read & Write Gold” that reads aloud what is written on the screen as well as it’s ability to predict what words a student I writing, by the first couple letters they type. This program also reads back what is written which assists the student with editing their writing.
• Recent legislation amends the state’s textbook adoption law to provide preferential procurement status to textbook publishers that supply digital versions of their textbooks. Which allows students to have the texts read to them on the computer.
• One of the many problems that poor readers face is the lack of background knowledge. “READ: 180” has the learner watch a short video before reading the text that provides the background knowledge needed to make sense of the text.
• Some students may use “Read & Write Gold” when taking the state assessment.
• As teachers we must become more aware of the role technology plays in learning.
• Technology is not magic; it is simply a tool of education
I agree that technology, when used appropriately, can enhance learning and even be the tool to knowledge acquisition. For example, in a case with learners who have difficulty reading, the texts could be read to them, through the computer, with texts online. I wonder if students in Alaska could take their standardized tests using some of this assistive technology. I worry that we as an educational body are focusing so much on getting our students to pass standardized tests and creating technologies to help students achieve this and be “up to grade level” academically that we are losing site of the real issue. Not everyone should be held to the same standard and be required to pass standardized tests. What are we really preparing them for and once that are out of the academic setting, what will they do? Will the assistive technology be available for them outside the academic setting? The emphasis should and needs to be made on quality, relevant instruction and technology is only a tool to reinforce that and not replace it. As inclusive classrooms increase, access to training in the the use and application of assistive technology, for mainstream educators of inclusive classrooms should be made widely available and with pay incentives.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
"I Have a Cause In Alaska" Project Proposal
I Have a Cause in Alaska is the title to my project proposal for my digital storytelling project.
I am using this title for a unit in my Alaska Studies class.
Students are instructed to find a cause at either the local or state level and...
A.) Create a digital story about their cause and the desired change they would like to see
and/or
B.) Write a letter to the appropriate legislator whom would address the cause and the desired change.
I am proposing to make one that addresses the lack of recycling facilities and the lack of curbside recycling in Alaska and Anchorage and my desire to have better recycling facilities and the establish curbside recycling in the Municipality of Anchorage.
I am using this title for a unit in my Alaska Studies class.
Students are instructed to find a cause at either the local or state level and...
A.) Create a digital story about their cause and the desired change they would like to see
and/or
B.) Write a letter to the appropriate legislator whom would address the cause and the desired change.
I am proposing to make one that addresses the lack of recycling facilities and the lack of curbside recycling in Alaska and Anchorage and my desire to have better recycling facilities and the establish curbside recycling in the Municipality of Anchorage.
Article Assessment of "The Overdominance of Computers" by Lowell W. Monke
The article begins with the quote “ Our students need inner resources and real-life experiences to balance their high-tech lives”. This sums of the focus for the article as the author explores the when, what age and how to use technology appropriately in a school setting. The emphasis is made as a cry to educators to concentrate, especially at the elementary and middle school level, on helping students development their innately human qualities. Only then will they be able to be responsible, educated and competent users of technology.
The author makes a very compelling argument that include the following points I particularly liked:
• Preparation (for living in a high-tech society) does not necessarily warrant early participation (in the use of technology).
• Preparing young people for life in modern society should begin with “strengthening their inner resources- like self-discipline, moral judgment and empathy.
• It would take years to instill the ethical discipline to say no to the harmful activities that youth can easily access on the internet and with basic technological skills.
• Schools and educators need to help balance student machine dominated lives by helping them develop their distinctly human capacities away from the use of technology.
• “What is keeping today’s youth from succeeding academically has nothing to do with a lack of technical skills or access to computers.”
• “Keep the essentials in the early years”. Such as: close, loving relationships with responsible adults, outdoor activity, time for unstructured play, music, drama, the arts, conversation with adults.
• “Study technology in depth after the elementary years”.
• “By high school digital technologies should have a more prominent place in the classroom, both as tools of learning and tools to learn about.”
• During the last two years of high school teachers should spend considerable time outfitting students with the high-tech skills they will need when they graduate. “This ‘just-in-time’ approach to teaching technical skills is far more efficient”.
I appreciated this article and had many “yes” moments when reading it. I am an educator at the high school level, so I would have liked some more concrete examples for use at the high school level. I do see technology as a distraction at the high school level more than as an efficient tool. I think educators need training in using technology as a way to enhance content and in the later high school years us some technological programs in the class apart from powerpoint, internet research and word processing.
I appreciated the statement that “What is keeping today’s youth from succeeding academically has nothing to do with access to technology”, but lacking the development of their human qualities. This resonated with me when I think of the schools in rural Alaska, they can be achieving at the same level with quality instructors and relevant curriculum that gives them a sense of hope and purpose.
The author makes a very compelling argument that include the following points I particularly liked:
• Preparation (for living in a high-tech society) does not necessarily warrant early participation (in the use of technology).
• Preparing young people for life in modern society should begin with “strengthening their inner resources- like self-discipline, moral judgment and empathy.
• It would take years to instill the ethical discipline to say no to the harmful activities that youth can easily access on the internet and with basic technological skills.
• Schools and educators need to help balance student machine dominated lives by helping them develop their distinctly human capacities away from the use of technology.
• “What is keeping today’s youth from succeeding academically has nothing to do with a lack of technical skills or access to computers.”
• “Keep the essentials in the early years”. Such as: close, loving relationships with responsible adults, outdoor activity, time for unstructured play, music, drama, the arts, conversation with adults.
• “Study technology in depth after the elementary years”.
• “By high school digital technologies should have a more prominent place in the classroom, both as tools of learning and tools to learn about.”
• During the last two years of high school teachers should spend considerable time outfitting students with the high-tech skills they will need when they graduate. “This ‘just-in-time’ approach to teaching technical skills is far more efficient”.
I appreciated this article and had many “yes” moments when reading it. I am an educator at the high school level, so I would have liked some more concrete examples for use at the high school level. I do see technology as a distraction at the high school level more than as an efficient tool. I think educators need training in using technology as a way to enhance content and in the later high school years us some technological programs in the class apart from powerpoint, internet research and word processing.
I appreciated the statement that “What is keeping today’s youth from succeeding academically has nothing to do with access to technology”, but lacking the development of their human qualities. This resonated with me when I think of the schools in rural Alaska, they can be achieving at the same level with quality instructors and relevant curriculum that gives them a sense of hope and purpose.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
