Day One - Firsts!

Day one of my Assistive Technology course has been a day of firsts. I learned new terminology, learned how to add an app to the iPad, and learned about two new apps that I can use in my classroom. At this point I am very much looking forward to the rest of this course as I always appreciate learning concrete things I can bring back to my classroom to improve my practice.


A few notes:

Keynote – like power point
UDL – Universal Design for Learning. In addition, these technologies are now being used by everybody – not just those with disability.

Disruptive technology – something that displaces another technology (desk tops)

Assistive Technology is about providing access to a task and improving performance of an individual with a disability. It’s about making an appropriate match of the technology and the skill sets/needs of the user. Secondary users are the teachers/parents and what skill sets do they have to support the student. What are we asking the student to do? Do they need to read, write, research? The tech should match the task.  Inquire about the characteristics of the technology itself – simpler is better – teachers will use it if it’s easy!!

We tried out two apps - Pic Collage and Book Creator. I enjoyed Pic Collage and could really see applying it in my English classroom (for students with disability and otherwise).

Ten ways to use Pic Collage in the classroom:

1. Use it to create a visual schedule that can be individualized for any student
2. Use it to allow students to journal
3. Use it to create storyboard as a pre-writing technique
4. Have students create a collage as though they were a character from a story we've read
5. Use it as a "getting to know you" activity - students present on themselves or others
6. Have students use it as an area to brainstorm ideas for future writing
7. Have students create or collect images that relate to one concept or theme
8. Have students create a collage to summarize a new topic
9. Have students create a collage about their prior knowledge of a new topic
10. As a fun end of year activity - have students create a collage of their year's experiences