July 4, 2011

Today was our first class for Assistive Technology: Access to Literacy. I think that this is going to be a great course and I am very much looking forward to learning new skills that I will be able to take back to my school to use with our students.


We started the class by discussing what AT is and what AT is not. I found this interesting, especially the quote: "...independent access to a task and improving performance." Isn't this what it should be about? Independence and improving performance? Of course, sometimes we get lost and off track. I am happy to see that in NS, the decision making around AT is a collaborative process where school teams are involved in collaboration with assessments and observations.


The reading process was then discussed and a task analysis was then prepared in partners. I have always known through my extensive literacy training that the reading process is a complex process that requires the 'reader' to employ many automatic processes so that the reader is able to focus their attention on the meaning of what is being read. Such things that we, as readers do automatically might be: tune out background noise, begin at the top left side of the page, read left to right, etc. I am very much looking forward to delving deeper into the reading and writing process in the days to come.


The knowledge that I am going to gain in terms of iPods, iPads, and iPhones in an educational setting is exciting. This new, exciting technology is something that so many students are going to benefit from. Personally, I have an iPhone 4 which I feel quite comfortable using. I know that I am not even using 5% of what this device is capable of, and am looking forward to learning more about it!


For example, today I used my iPhone for many things. Thinking back, I'm not quite sure how I survived without it! Today I used it to wake up(as an alarm clock). Then, as I am currently living away from home for three weeks while I am taking courses at Acadia, I used the flashlight to find my way around. Then, I checked the weather and email/facebook to see what is new. I used the notepad to check my list... did I have everything I needed for the day? I used the safari internet to make sure I knew what building to go to and to transfer money from my bank account. I took a few pictures around campus and sent a few text messages as well. After realizing in a panic that the agenda I brought with me only starts in September, I purchased an agenda app that allows me to keep track of everything I need to do. I very much enjoy my iPhone and am considering purchasing an iPad.


I am looking forward to learning new skills and about exciting apps that are available. I hope to bring this technology into the school setting and enable my students to thrive with this new, exciting technology.


Check out this video... How cool is this?!