Adaptive Technology

After visiting the ACIT Lab, I feel as though I have learned of all these incredible technological devices that Temple had never introduced to me before, or really even made me aware of. I feel that it is necessary that the school make the existence of such a useful lab known to its students, as I'm sure that whether a student has a disability or not, that they will be able to find some use for it.

My impressions on the lab are stated above for the most part. I was blown away, and had never even heard of many of these programs. But the uses for them are incredible, and I am sure, for some students, invaluable. The many different devices could be used for an extensive amount of things, whether it is in a classroom, or just as an aid for students with disabilities who may not be able to take advantage of many of the technologies provided at the tech center, or elsewhere around campus.

During the presentation by Lori Bailey, there were three devices that really stood out to me. The first of which was the Intelli-keys Keypad. For students with physical, visual, and cognitive disabilities, this keypad could be indispensable. The keyboard provides students with customizable templates of varying degrees of complexity that are interchangeable. The device can be used by a wide variety of people, and will aid in the education of those with disabilities that may make it difficult or painful for them to use a standard keyboard with a computer.

A second device that was impressive was the Sip-Puff Switch. This tube-like device allows the user to click as if they were using a mouse by blowing in air and sucking air out. This would make it possible for students with physical disabilities, who may not have full or total control of their hands to be able to take advantage of computer technologies.

The third device that impressed me from the lab was the Roller-plus Joystick. The roller-plus joystick replaces the standard mouse on a computer, and allows for single hand use of the joystick. The device is meant for people with physical disabilities. With a larger joystick feature, it remains stationary for the user, and also, with large buttons used for left and right clicking, as well as dragging, the student using the roller-plus will benefit greatly from the simple usability of the device, and what it provides the student with, as they will be able to still use a computer, but without the standard mouse, which may have been difficult or painful to use previously.

All of these devices are interesting, and useful for students with special needs. It is comforting to know that Temple has gone through the trouble to provide students with such technologies, in the interest of furthering their education and allowing them to perform at a level with other students who may not need the devices.

Processing...Processing

In the article "Processing Ideas," written by Sara Dexter and Susan Watts-Taffe, the authors take a very interesting look at desktop publishing, and the way that these tools can be used in the contemporary classroom. The article provides examples of projects and assignments that teachers may utilize in their classes such as creating a poster or writing a newspaper or newsletter. To some, these assignments may appear very superficial in nature and could be essentially useless in the learning process. Upon closer examination, however, the reader comes to find that there are specific learning objectives involved with using desktop publishing to its fullest extent, and its intended purposes.

An example of how these programs aid in the learning process is involved in the suggested creation of a poster project. The poster depicts all of the necessary information required of the assignment, however, it also works in much more subtle ways that are much more effective in passing on information. "Because the poster dictates short phrases and bold language, its creators must identify key ideas and eliminate nonessential information. Short phrases also require the most vivid and direct language to convey their message". I believe that this caption encapsulated the entire purpose of the assignments.

Accompanied by a plethora of new software such as AppleWorks, Microsoft Works, and Microsoft Word, these programs significantly expand the variety of materials teacher may use to measure learning in their classrooms, as well as the amount of thought required of the students for their assignments. With the ever expanding software industry, there is a limitless potential for the use of such programs in conjunction with classroom assignments, the average student will be required to tune into their teacher's lessons and will consequently be more engaged than ever before. Aside from their use in classrooms, the time invested in mastering these programs can only help the students in the future, whether it be in the job market, or while they are pursuing higher education at an accredited college or university, the knowledge they build in the classroom can and surely will be utilized in and out of school in this digital age.

Data Driven Classrooms

In the article Data Driven Teachers, by Dr. Scott McLeod, he makes the argument that Data Driven Decision Making, or DDDM, is a system of teaching that allows for better information about students to be gathered and placed into the hands of teachers. McLeod points out the fact early on in his article that many teachers currently reject the use of DDDM as it is closely associated with the not-so-popular No Child Left Behind Act. Ironically, school districts that have implemented the practice of DDDM and data-driven practices have observed impressive improvements in student learning and achievement.

The way I see myself most likely using data in my classroom, is with assessment. When giving a test, if I gather data from the results of all my students, I would be able to pinpoint precisely where students had the most difficulty on the exam. Taking this information into account, I would be able to see what material I had taught was most likely misunderstood or just not covered in enough detail during class time. If i felt it was necessary, I would be able to go back over this material before a test was given on the lessons, allowing for students to better prepare themselves and to come to understand what was initially unclear to them. Another benefit of the use of such data is that I would be able to see which questions on my examinations had a high difficulty level or high discriminating power. I could then accurately judge which questions were good, and which needed to be revised. This would allow me to craft my tests in such a way that it really encapsulated the material that I had covered in class, and actually test my students knowledge on the subjects.

The use of data in the modern day classroom is becoming more important, and, more importantly, more beneficial for both students and teachers alike. The only issue I have with this use of data is that the instructor must know the difference between data analysis, and human analysis. Test results can only tell you so much about a student. It becomes the teacher's responsibility to get to know their students and understand what they struggle with so that they may help push them, and allow them to excel in the classroom.

With or Without You

Hi there, I'm the tuned-out kid in the back row with the headphones. "Are you going to engage me or enrage me today? The choice is yours". Bold words kid, bold words indeed. It is becoming increasingly obvious - even to students like myself who grew up in the transitional period between the Analog Age of the 20th Century, and the Digital Age of the 21st - that technology is an integral part of the lives of the students of tomorrow. Phone in hand and Ipod in ear, these kids will be walking into our classrooms, and it will become our job to keep them engaged, and focused on their work. Easier said than done.

Marc Prensky, author of the article "Engage Me or Enrage Me," believes that teachers must make the wild transition from how teaching methods have always been, and what they must become. We, the future teachers of America (and the world), will be entrusted with this monumental responsibility. We must be the ones to find out how to keep students engaged, knowing full well their capacity for learning still exists in today's society, and that it can be harnessed with the proper tools.

We must bring our students into the world of tomorrow, where technology is king, and we, the teacher, are simply the messenger. We must pass along information to our students through technological sources, utilizing it at every possible turn. Students today are interested in the instant gratification of the internet, television, and video games as Prensky suggests, and I support his somewhat controversial claims, as I have seen these tuned-out students in person, and I have seen what can happen if they are left to their own devices. These different forms of media should converge in the classroom, and be used to help foster the young, budding minds of students. To gain and hold their attention, is to have won the battle. Winning the war of engagement, however, is a different story. Once it is accepted that the teaching methods of yesteryear are quickly becoming obsolete, then the changes can truly begin. The transition will be a painful one, but it is an essential one nonetheless. So, tuned-out kid in the back row with the headphones, hello, I will be your teacher. We're going to do an activity involving finding primary sources for history research online today, so take off those headphones, quit slouching and show me what you can do.


LIBERTY AND IPADS FOR ALL

When we were at last allowed to test out the Ipads, I was admittedly excited to see what I would be able to do with them. I myself had never used one before, and I do not think that my partner, Brittany, had either. But therein lies the fun. We switched it on and went to town. Looking through the already installed applications, we immediately noticed some pretty interesting things. I was drawn quickly to the Historical Maps app I found. I scrolled through the available maps and came across a map of Center City Philadelphia from the early 1800s. That was extremely interesting to me, as I could see what the city once was, and how much things have expanded and changed over the last few centuries.

Upon closer examination of the applications, we soon found the magic piano app (I believe that was the name). Here, I quickly picked up on the downside to allowing students to have Ipads, or laptops for that matter, in the classroom. Yes they could easily be used for educational purposes, but without close monitoring of the students activities, progress can quickly break down into distraction. I found myself playing Moonlight Sonata, or at least trying to, and not looking for other important applications that could be used in the classroom. As I listened around the room for a moment I noticed that I was not the only one doing this.

With a device as powerful as the Ipad, any sort of crazy and distracting application could be downloaded to it, and then that, instead of the days lesson, would immediately grasp the attention of the student for the remainder of the period. It is very likely that by allowing students access to such forms of media, that they will be unable to resist the temptation to ignore the instructor and will spend the rest of the class period playing twinkle twinkle little star. Ipads may be impressive in the technology department, but I do not think that their introduction into the classroom would be necessarily progressive.

21st Century Classrooms

It is a sad thing to think that the contemporary teacher has fallen to the way-side as the instructor in the classroom of the modern day. Anything that a teacher might have learned throughout their days in school, and during their long careers as instructors, can almost always be found at any given moment, simply through the click of a mouse. Though information is readily accessible in today's society, the teacher remains an important factor in the learning process. As the article "Characteristics of a 21st Century Classroom" states, teachers have become the "facilitators of student learning," and the "creators of productive classroom environments". As prospective teachers, it has become absolutely necessary for Education Students - and even those who have already established a career in education - to become aware of the technology of the modern day, and think of new and exciting ways to integrate such materials into the classroom.

In my past experience, subjects were studied independently from one another. There was Math, English, History, and Science. Today, these different subjects have evolved and have begun to merge together in an attempt to encourage cooperative learning, a skill which is becoming increasingly essential in the outside world, and most importantly, in the workforce. Another aspect of the ever changing classroom is the disappearance of the textbook. Information is available in many different forms, and students are no longer required to gain knowledge from the ancient textbooks of yesteryear, but instead are able to find subject topics online or on television. Knowledge is literally at the fingertips of the younger generations, and with only a little enthusiasm, they need only to seek it out to obtain it.

Aside from the extensive use of technology in today's classrooms, teachers are also able to utilize an plethora of instructional methods which allow for students to learn in many different ways. Teachers are able to point out what sort of learners their students are, and, in turn, bring new instructional methods into the classroom to allow students to learn in what ever way is most acceptable to them. These new instructional methods allow students to not only memorize and regurgitate information, but also to show their mastery of the material through different forms of assessment, chosen by their teachers.

It is interesting to think of the changes that have taken place in the educational field over only a few years. Technology has replaced the teacher as the cornerstone of the classroom, and instead must act as guides, helping these young students to learn to work together, seek out information, and to give them the skills to mold the students into productive future members of the workforce. Teachers are still, however, expected to take on new responsibilities. They are now expected to provide students with several different instructional methods, allowing for more effective learning, something which would not have been considered a few years ago. Teachers are also expected to establish an environment in the classroom where students will feel safe and free to share their ideas with their peers. For all of this to be accomplished, it is not only necessary for teachers to gain the trust and understanding of their students, but to master these skills themselves and be able to emulate them and pass them on to their students, bringing them out of the 20th century classroom, and into that of the 21st century.