Assistive Technology

Defining Assistive Technology:

High Tech: Devices that usually cost more money and are very complex for example a motorized wheelchair, a communication board, adapted vehicle, etc.

Low Tech: Devices that are not very expensive or difficult for a child to use. These include calculators, tape recorders, adapted eating utensils, dressing aids, writing aids, canes, walkers etc.

No Tech: Devices that assist a student, but are not actually electronic. For example, foam glued onto pages to make turning them easier,

Augmentative Communication:Augmentative, sometimes referred to as alternative communication (AAC) is a method of communication used by individuals with severe speech and language disabilities, those who have Cerebral Palsy, Autism, ALS, suffered from a stroke, etc. AAC is for those individuals who are unable to use verbal speech yet are cognitively able or when speech is extremely difficult to understand. These individuals will use gestures, communications boards, pictures, symbols, drawings or a combination of all of these. An individual would point to a single meaning picture

Alternative Communication: sometimes referred to as augmentative communication (see above).

I was able to play around with mmFollow on the website given to us by Jennie. I actually found the device to be more confusing and distracting to me than my actual mouse cursor. Any thoughts?

Also, the simulations were cool but some seemed not to work properly, unless that was the idea. I was very frustrated when I tried to work with them.

Assistive Technology allows students to have a wider access to curriculum materials and this technology also makes it easier for students to gain a deeper understanding of materials because it allows them to participate more fully in activities.

Powerpoint

I LOVE power point! I think that the best way to use power point with parents is to create presentations for Open Houses and Parent Events. You can include photographs and summaries about what the students have been doing in class.

Databases in Early Childhood

I really have not worked Access before. I have always done a variety of spreadsheets in excel. After using the tutorial I feel that I could with another tutorial, set up a database for student information in my classroom. Exploring on the internet some of the other ways to use Access in the EARLY CHILDHOOD classroom are detailed below:

Creating A Database for Parent Interaction - Parents have information on how to contact other Parents, the Teacher, and Important People in the school - as well as some basic information about the other students in their child's classroom.

Using a Database to keep a record of student progress throughout the year in social skills, behavioral skills, literacy, etc.

While as a teacher this tool will be very valuable, the students in an Early Childhood Classroom would not benefit from use of this program, or be able to successfully use the program.

Pencil Story

I found the pencil story to be very interesting. That teachers would limit the opportunity of a new tool for their students bothered me, not to mention that the notion of a "pencil class" seems a little ridiculous. I would be interested in seeing a second installment of the Pencil Story and how the teachers in that story reacted to the introduction of the computer. I do remember being in elementary school and having the first computers available to students! It was very cool to be able to go on and play games and type. My mother bought me a typing program that worked on her very first Compaq computer.

Week 2 Classes

I really like the assignments for Word during class last week. It was nice to actually take the time and think about how I would create a letter to the parents of my classroom and a survey. I had actually never used the form field in word, I would always use excel. It was nice to actually have the time to sit down and work on it. I think that the hardest part was coming up with something to do the assignment on.

Introductions

Hello Classmates!

I am a 20 year old graduate student studying Inclusive Early Childhood Education for my initial certification. My undergraduate degree is from SUNY Brockport in Interdisciplinary Arts for Children and Theatre Studies. I enjoy working in theatrical productions and getting children involved in theatrical productions. I believe that theatre can provide therapy for students, a way to increase self esteem, and a fun pastime that students can carry with them. I would like to incorporate technology into my classrooms by having students use different forms of technology to research subjects and produce their own creative works. I am looking forward to developing a deeper understanding of technology and how to use it in a preschool, kindergarten, and first and second grade classroom. Especially in the role of interacting and communicating with parents.