Assistive Technology

-- I saved this as a draft on the 10th. Oops! --

It is amazing how some of this technology has changed the face of a classroom. For students to be in more inclusive systems because the technology allows them to be included is one of the best things to happen to the world of education since the white board.

One of the greatest stories I've heard in the past couple years was about a student that was restricted for the majority of his life to his home. He had some disorder that didn't allow him to be in class often. Yet, he still wanted the same experience. SO, the school and the family worked together to build a "droid" like device to roll around school to allow him to attend all of his classes (even driving his "droid" self to his next class from home) in real time, ask questions, be called on, and participate with his classmates.

Just stop and think for a minute- a student confined to his home still participating in class. This wasn't possible 10 years ago. A student confined to a wheel chair is able to manipulate a computer with same results of an able bodied student. The student with hearing diffeciencies is now able to take a personal amplifier to each class and have his/her teacher speak to them just as the rest of the class.

I think what it all comes down too is inclusiveness. These students wouldn't have been able to participate in class in the past, but with the assistance of technology, they can.

Time on the Road

My job in college admissions takes me out on the road, away from home for about 6 weeks every fall. Visiting schools, and working college fairs for high school students to learn all about the vast opportunities that await them for post-secondary schooling. I spend approx 30 nights in hotels, thousands of miles driving and countless hours with time to myself. This leaves me with lots of time to think, and make observations about our schools, students and just the world. I mention this because I have an indirect connection to what students are doing in school by what I see and hear on the road.

The assignment from last week, looking at all of the websites and tools for teachers to use- a lot of these technologies are new. And yet, colleges are trying to use many of them. Mostly social networking type of sights (and blogs), but for us to be on the same converging path of technology and sharing of information (teaching and admissions) I see many similarities. We in admissions, just as teachers, want out students to come back and be engaged by our web presence. We want them to ask questions and learn about all that we have to offer. Teachers want their students to ask questions and learn the information in order to pass the test.

Some of the sites on the list I have heard of- blogger.com, the Smithsonian site... But some of them are a real eye opener, not only in the world of earning my M.Ed. but also in the world of college admissions. If I can be the first in my area to successfully use some of these new resources, its all good.

Welcome back... to me!

As you can see it has been some time since my last post- June I believe. I have since dropped, waited, and re-enrolled in the EDTC 625 class that requires such a blog. I will continue to update and write throughout the class this fall (I promised my self I wouldn't drop it this time) and I look forward to writing all about our class.

The slow death of Wikis

After watching the video posted by Prof. Ruffini, I feel it is my duty to let everyone know that private wikis will soon be a dead medium. Wikis in Plain English is a great explanation. The camping example along with lists and things that need to be brought on the trip. The reality is that Google has made this kind of wiki collaboration archaic. With the advent of Google Docs, we can now collaborate in real time.

With a wiki it is up to the individual to wait and edit when someone else has completed their edits. With a Google doc, I can see (in real time) what changes are being made. This kind of collaboration will soon end the private use of wikis. Wikis such as Wikipedia and other large broad based informational wikis will continue to flourish due to the never ending desire for quick access to information, but the private wiki will soon be no more. 

Blogs- A Quick Perspective

Blogs- The ability for everyone to be a "published" author. In my review of blogs from all walks of life, there are 2 kinds of blogs. Those that have a particular purpose, theme, common interest or dedication; then there are those that do not. Blogs seem, in many ways to be an outlet for many people. If it be jubilation or annoyance, people want to express themselves. Now, when we get into the academic realm of the usefulness of blogs, it can be a great tool, or a major distraction.

A teachers, we need to know how to use and evaluate the technology we are using- especially if we expect our students to use it. When we are able to show them the appropriate ways of using a resource, it makes a solid impact on their learning.

EDTC-625 Blogging begins!

This is the first post of a few for my EDTC- 625 class at UMUC. Working with my fellow classmates in our group should pose some great discussion and thought provoking ideas. Let's get rolling.