Twitter

Ronika Amerson

ED 505

Twitter

            Though I don’t think I got the most use out of twitter this semester, I can see its usefulness in the classroom. My students and I could use it for quick interactions outside of the classroom. It is a great way to stay connected and find useful resources. I could send quick homework reminders, notes, and other classroom correspondences. We could also follow authors, scientists, mathematicians, and other relevant people to our content. My students could also post simple questions and message me privately for areas of concern. Moreover, we could find articles and other related content. My only concern with social networking with my students is keeping it professional and school related. I have never accepted a friend request from any student before. However, I see that making a group such as our class has benefits worth risking. I don’t know that I could have made it through this class not being able to share and discuss burning issues.

            Twitter is also a great resource for staying professionally developed. I can follow many other educators and authors. Likewise, I can abreast of the current trends in education especially as it relates to technology. Some of the people I followed include: Dr. Debra Harper, Ed.D., Sean Junkins (assistive technology), Web 2.0 News, and  PR News Education. There were other educators but none followed me back with exception of a few of our classmates. 

Lastly, because there are tons of messages, hashtags make things easier to find and sort through on twitter. I could easily find all of your posts when I entered our hashtag information. Other hashtags I used were: #assistive technology, #web 2.0 resources,# smartphones in the classroom,  and #technology in the classroom. Hashtags really narrow the search and help you find great sources. I will definitely be looking at ways to incorporate twitter into the classroom. Perhaps the first step is trying to figure out how to keep students on task. Things are a bit tricky when you work with such a young age group. Ten and eleven year olds should not be on social networks so I will gear it more toward the parents. I am still learning the various uses of twitter and look forward to learning more uses.

Bookmarks (Delicious)

#cec12 please add @_luisfperez to your PLN... he's an excellent resource for the latest in assisitive technology and other learning needs.

— Sean Junkins (@sjunkins) April 13, 2012

Assistive Technologies

                                                                  Assistive Technologies

Assistive technology includes technology devices used by individuals with disabilities in order to perform functions that may be difficult or impossible to accomplish without the use of the needed device. Assistive technology include, but is not limited to, mobility devices such as walkers and wheelchairs, hardware, software, and many other devices that may assist people with disabilities in accessing computers or other information technologies. For example, people with limited vision may need large print or a hand held magnifier. “Regardless of the specific application of technology, the general goal is always the same: to harness the potential of technology in ways that offer an individual with a disability increased opportunities for learning, productivity, and independence-opportunities that otherwise would not be available”(Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p.400).

Mild Cognitive Disabilities are among the most prevalent type of disability and may also be referred to as intellectual or developmental disabilities. Such disabilities include: learning disabilities, mental retardation, and serious emotional disabilities. Students with such disabilities are capable of learning but may learn at slower paces. “Typically, the important issue for these students is not physical access to the technology, but reading, writing, memory, and retention of information” (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p.406). Some resources for students with mild and moderate disabilities include: WizCom's Quicktionary Reading Pen and Dragon Talk's Dragon Naturally Speaking

Moderate and Severe Cognitive Disabilities- Individuals with moderate to severe cognitive disabilities have limits in their mental functioning such as their ability to communicate, socialize, and take care of their everyday needs. “For individuals with moderate and severe cognitive disabilities, considerable effort is devoted to ensuring that they acquire daily living such as personal hygiene, shopping, and use of public transportation” (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p.408). Software helps teach and reinforce functional skills for students with mild to severe disabilities. Some resources include: Freedom Scientific’s WYNN word processing software and Attainment Company. Also, many apps are available such as Time. Money, Fractions On-Track iPad app.

Physical Disabilities- Causes and conditions that impair mobility and movement are considered a physical disability. These disabilities may cause the inability to use legs, arms, or the body trunk effectively because of paralysis, stiffness, or pain.. They may also contribute to other disabilities such as impaired speech, memory loss, short stature, and hearing loss. Resources include: Able Net, Inc. and Enabling Devices

Sensory Disabilities can involve any of the five senses, but usually in education, it generally refers to a disability related to hearing, vision, or both hearing and vision. Sensory disabilities affect access to visual and/or auditory information. Much content information is presented visually and/or auditory in the classroom. It is important that children experiencing a vision and/or a hearing loss are appropriately identified to ensure access to education. Resources for sensory disabilities include: Vision Cue and Freedom Scientific Blind/LowVision Group

At-Risk Behaviors/Situations- “Students at risk for school failure are not considered disabled in the sense of the federal definition of disability. However, their lack of success in school often parallels the low performance of students with disabilities” (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p.409). Resources for at-risk students include many websites and software that provide powerful and motivating opportunities to engage in learning activities. Some include: BrainPop and Don Johnston, Inc.

Gifts and Talents- Students who show evidence of high achievement in areas of intellect, creativity, artistic, and leadership usually need to be provided services and activities outside of the “normal” school program. The students are considered gifted and/or talented. Resources for students with gifts and talents include: Duke Tip Program and Hoagies’ Gifted Education Page

Web 2.0 Resources

I have learned a great deal this week creating and learning from Web 2.0 resources. Web 2.0 provides new ways of creating, collaborating, editing and sharing content online. "Although the term Web 2.0, an Internet trend that puts the authorship of online content into the hands of a websites' users, has become very common in educational circles, what educators are hearing more about today are discussions around social networking" (Roblyer & Doering, p. 225). These resources can make teaching so easy and motivational for the students. Most resources were user friendly and those that were not had great tutorials for easy use. I plan to use each resource that I tried in the classroom and also teach the students to create various resources. Animoto was among my favorite. I could use this to let students create relevant videos from much of the content areas. Glogster is also a great visual to use for expository text that is harder to comprehend. The students love games and ClassTools has a variety of game formats to choose from.

Many educators have began teaching using a various types of social networks. This is a new creative and convenient way to keep students current and engaged. According to Roblyer and Doering (p,268),"Information now comes to students via email and ebooks; web pages and podcasts; blogs, vlogs, and wikis; instant messages and Twitter feeds; and movies and stgreaming video."

Many of our students are on social networks and it could lend itself as a useful classroom tool."Social networking sites focus on building communities of individually designed web pages consisting of personal profiles, blogs, photo sldeshows, music, videos, podcasts, and a network of connected friends or supporters" (Roblyer & Doering, p.225). It is imperative that we stay abreast and use these current trends within the classroom.

Notice the Web 2.0 resources below on the Blog that I used this week. I thoroughly enjoyed!

ClassTools Games 1 and 2

http://www.classtools.net/mob/quiz_69/Four_Kinds_of_Sentences_pWlGC.htm

http://goo.gl/UFYMa

Web Resources 2.0 Twitter

Why Apple Gave Up On Genius For Apps, And What's Next For The App Store's Long Tail http://t.co/R7ocluDCmr via http://t.co/vo0PJPIsLD

— Web 2.0 News (@BreakingWeb) June 11, 2013