Class #1: Definitions and New Apps to Try

Wow! Today we jumped in with both feet. Despite my “hesitation” with technology, today’s class was a great reminder of what a valuable impact assistive tech can have on our students and for our own teaching practices. From high tech computers to low tech pencil grips there are many things that we can do on a daily basis to help enhance student’s daily lives and their opportunities to learn, grow and develop. Things I take away from today’s class:

Defining terms:

Today we were introduced to the following terms:

HAAT Framework, SETT Framework, IPP & Documented Adaptations, Presuming competence, Disruptive Technologies, Assistive Technologies & Services, SAMR Model, Universal Design for Learning, Electronic Aids to Daily Living (EALD), Augmented & Alternative Communication (AAC) 

While not all terms were new for me these frameworks and concepts have become as spring board for learning more about assistive technology. I am sure they will become familiar words over the next few weeks. I am ready to learn more! 

In-Class Assignment:

I really enjoyed the opportunity to explore new apps while completing our in-class assignment. This was a great example of how we can provide students with a variety of methods to achieve the same goal. I am guilty of using the same presentation methods (Power point, Google slides) over and over again because I’m familiar with their features; however there are so many different options that are available. Sometimes when I see presentations by others, I think ‘I should check that app out’ but when it comes down to it I tend to stick with what I know. To be completely honest, I often think I just don’t have time to learn that now. Knowing that we all learned how to use these apps and their features in the span of an hour helps me to remember that taking the time is important, that it doesn’t take that long and it will probably save time in the end. On the flip side allowing our students the opportunity to use multiple means of presenting and showing what they know in different ways can make a huge difference in their level of engagement and our understanding of their learning.

Inspiration:

 I am really looking forward to learning more about Eye Gaze as I have never used this kind of technology before. The video of Aiden was very powerful as you could see his excitement and his sense of humor emerging through his new-found communication.  The comment that really stood out for me though was how it takes the whole team to implement assistive technology and the importance of everyone working together. In the past I have had students who have learned to use higher tech options but only in pull-out resource sessions. These tools were eventually brought to the classroom but rather than training the student’s support team we were just told “He knows how to use it. He can come see me if he has an issue.” Unfortunately the student was not motivated to use the technology on his own and he perceived it as an alternative to completing assigned classwork rather than a tool for completing assignments in class. Without ensuring the whole team is comfortable and aware of the function and purpose of assistive tech it can be difficult to achieve full productivity.

Recognizing my own lack of knowledge in this area has helped me to realize that I need to take more initiative to learn and encourage others to learn about what is available to our students and how we can implement this tech to stretch their learning. I guess that’s the ultimate reason for signing up for this course. J Excited to see what tomorrow brings!