meg_villa

Week 14

2008-05-06T19:01:00.000-07:00

5/6/08

there are always ways to monitor when you do things virtually.

second life teen island

presentations

link program at foothill community college

Storyline Online

Google safe search for kids and teens

summers.sandra1.googlepages.com/

Reflection: rate yourself on how you came along from the beginning of the semester.

Before I took this class, I actually thought that I had knowledge about technology, however, now I realize that I have a lot more to learn. I think, though that I have learned a lot in this class, and I'm really glad I took it. Now, I have more confidence searching the internet for different ideas for lessons, concepts I will teach, and just information about a topic. Since we had to use the internet a lot, I now realize that there is so much more information out there than I thought, and now if I have any questions about anything, all I have to do is look it up on the internet. The internet not only has websites, but I didn't even know there was such a thing as wiki's or blogs that I can use with my students. I also didn't even realize that I (or anyone) can create their own website. Even though creating a website was really hard and frustrating at times, I'm really glad that you had us do that for an assignment. I really want to keep working on my web site so I can use if for my classes. So, I think that I have come a long way in terms of knowing what kind of technology is out there, how to find it, and how to use it. I will continue to use my newfound knowledge to help increase student learning for years to come, especially since our society is leaning way more towards technology. Thank you so much for this opportunity to learn so much about technology, I think that I am way more savvy now, and can even maybe teach some of my coworkers about some of the technology I learned about.

Week 13

2008-04-30T11:20:00.000-07:00

Tapped In Questions:

By the way, sorry I just left Second Life on Tuesday, I couldn't find anyone, and I tried to transport to where you guys were, but it was going so slow, and I don't think I ever got there. So, I got to frustrated and logged off and went to bed because I was sick.

1. What is the value to me and my students for using virtual reality? I think there is a lot of value for myself along with my students for using virtual reality. From reading about virtual reality on line, I learned that it not only has to do with things like video games (which I am not interested in, but my students are) but it also has to do with education. For example (I think you mentioned this in class) you can take students on virtual field trips. That would be so great for my students, because some of them have never even been out of San Jose, and they are missing so much! They can actually go and see the world from their desk. Virtual field trips can be educational, or they can just be informational (like if they have never been to the beach or to the snow), my students need both!! Virtual reality can also work great for classes like science because you can get 3D objects, and students can actually disect things, and learn in a more hands on way, which my students need again. Plus, it seems like my students know how to interact more with a computer than they do with real human beings. This virtual stuff is pretty cool, I just had no idea that there was so much out there. Now I need to find some virtual stuff for math and language arts. It seems like there is a lot of stuff for science, history, social studies, art.

2. What types of VR would be appropriate for my student population?
I think that the virtual field trips would definately be appropriate for my student population. Also, the educational virtual reality in 3D for science, history, social studies, math would be beneficial to my students because it is more hands on, and they can actually see a picture in 3D. This would definately be appropriate for my students because it would help them understand the curriculum they are learning. As noted by one of the articles, this might also be beneficial to my students with ADD, because it might grab thier attention, and help them to understand the curriculum. Of course, if you are not paying attention, you will not learn, so maybe VR can help them focus and increase learning.

3. How can VR provide me students with enhanced access to:
a. functioning in the community?
VR is very concrete, and shows images that are very real. Because VR is so concrete, students can see images as they would really be, enhancing learning. For example, if a student needed to learn how to ride a bus, they can use VR to learn without having to actually go out in the community first. They can learn through VR because it is so real, then have the confidence to actually go out in the community to ride the bus. One of the articles mentioned that students with learning disabilities learn in very concrete ways, so VR would be perfect to help students learn because it is so concrete. Students can even learn how to go grocery shopping from home.

b. the curriculum?
Again, because VR is so concrete, students are able to grasp the idea that is being taught. Somewhere I read, (I can't remember) also mentioned that VR might help keep students focused in the learning environment. I have many students with short attention spans, and am constantly looking for ways to keep my students focused; this can be one of the ways. It is so hard to learn when you are not paying attention, so it is so important to keep students focused on the lesson you are teaching. VR can help with this, especially with the curriculum, that they might think is "boring." VR also offers more hands on activities, which is great for curriculum becasue many students need hands on activities to fully understand what they are trying to learn.

c. communication with peers?
VR can help teach sign language in a more concrete way, increaseing learning for communication. Also, as in the Second Life, you can communicate with peers from your home, even if they are thousands of miles away. That is pretty cool. Students can ask questions about an assignment they need to complete, or about a test they need to study for through VR. In another article, VR can help students who have a phobia of public speaking. I actually never thought of that, but it is true, if you are not standing in front of people, it does make it easier to speak, ask questions, or give your opinion. Many of my students hate giving presentations, or asking questions in front of a class, so VR might help them communicate with peers. One thing I worry about is that someday, they probably will have to communicate with real people, so I do think it is important to practice with real people, not just on VR. For students who have communication difficulties though, this would be an excellent way for them to be able to communicate with their peers, family, and anyone else they might want to commuincate with.

week 12

2008-04-22T18:56:00.000-07:00

4/22/08

speech to text-word-settings, have to have good articulate speech. Tools-speech-active, can click dictation, and all you have to do is talk. the more you configure microphone, the more accurate it is. Recomend headphone microphone. headphones-cyber acoustics.

Next week: virtual reality. Don't meet here next weeek. Class will be virtually.

tappedin.org--log in as a guest

Reflection: What do you plan on doing after this semester to continue to support your internet presence?
Although creating this website has given me many headaches, I want to keep it going for my classes for the rest of this year and years to come. It was difficult to get this website started, but I think I got the hang of it, so it won't be that difficult to keep up. (I hope). My concerns about having assignments on the internet for my students to complete are great. I have a feeling that since it is very difficult to get my students to even turn in homework from a worksheet, that they won't do an internet assignment. Even now, I have to be careful in the assignements I givout because it it at all "too hard," they won't do it, especcially if it has anything to do with writing. I guess I need to try, though, to see if maybe this might be different. Maybe it will because I know that many of my students love to be on computers (probably not for academic reasons) so maybe this can work.

week 11

2008-04-15T18:50:00.000-07:00

4/14/08

Acrobat Pro-can put in a document with forms, drop-downs, with audio, comment pop-ups, video in one document. Audio and video supports. Can also record sound. With acrobat, you can create the documents with audio, pictures, video, all in one document. There are school packages. Look to your district to buy Acrobat Pro.

Tonight--Work night; next week is a work night. Website, wiki, track, blog

Next Assignment-due tonight; can turn it in by tomorrow at 4:00pm.

Tinyurl.com

Wiki's-3 websites she likes:

1. http://wik.ed.uiuc.edu/index.php/wiki_in_a_k-12_classroom

2. http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6277799.html

3. http://www.infinitthinking.org/2008/03/wikis-quick-entry-point-to-world-of-web.html

Reflection: pluses and minuses of having to create something for the internet.

There are many pluses and minuses of having to create something for the internet. One plus is that you can reach many more people with the information that you want to get out since the internet is world wide. Also, the internet is the upcoming source of information for many people, so if your information is there, more people will look at it. Some minuses for creating something for the internet are that it is very time consuming, difficult at first, and can be very frustrating.

week 10

2008-04-08T19:03:00.000-07:00

Tonight: trackstar, trackstar.4teachers.org, title of track has to go in the blank, decide if it's a resource list or a worksheet, if you put a date, it will expire and be gone, if you don't, it will stay forever. Have to have at least 2 websites to start the track. use like a word document. can set it up so you really guide the learner, they have to answer on paper. For the assignment, you have to do 10 websites--part of your assignment 5. all tracks have to be approved. once it is green, it has been approved, and it is published out for general use.

Wikkis--pb wikki

need at least 3 pages, 1st page is your homepage, next is about your wikki, 3rd about your tracks

google: even more, then go over to labs, once you have picked a layout, do not change the layout.

don't pick the pink and green one

homepage: 1st thing people go to, what do you want on your homepage: mission statement? can create for your classroom, can have a website for whatever you want. meta navigation on the bottom-put in the footer. type it in as text. 1st have to create your different web pages. Create all the web pages you want. page for math, language arts. once you create those pages, and you want to edit the page-highlight it. do not label the pages wikki, and trackstar-label it for what it is for. you want to make navigation on a website as easy as possible. Have to create a link for a new page.

on a wikki, unless you lock the page, anyone can change it.

Web page design: there is a rubric: external links go out to wikkis, google blog, and trackstar. interal links are the three pages: homepage, wikki website, track

meta navigation: links to the website.

do some research on wikkis

Need: track, wikki, blog, website

assignment due next week: AT evaluation

mac-speech to text

Reflection: tell 5 things that are the most important (and why) that you will be using on a regular basis from now on.

One thing I will use on a regular basis is word processor. Word is great because I can make up my own worksheets, tests, graphic organizer for my studetns in exactly the way I want. There are so many things that I didn't know Word had to offer, like the drop down boxes for tests/quizzes. Another thing I will use is PowerPoint. Although I missed that class, I still think that PowerPoint is a great teaching tool.
Another thing that I will continue to use is the internet. This class has helped me to become more comfortable browsing the internet, and there are so many great sites out there for teachers. I especially like the free stuff teachers can find for everyday teaching tools to make the curriculum more meaningful and fun for studetns.
Graphic organizers is another thing that I will continue to use in my class. Graphic organizers as help students categorize and connect to any material they are learning, making the learning process much more meaningful for students.
I will aslso use Assistive technology for my studetnts when needed. Assistive technology is so neccesary for many studetns to be successful in the classroom, and it is so important to use AT when a student needs it.

week 9

2008-04-01T18:55:00.000-07:00

4/1/08

graphic organizer due next week!!!

In word-- 1. highlight text

2. can summarize a document--in tools

3. can do a word count

4. can get reading level--after spell/grammar check, reading level will come you set it properly. tools->options->spelling/grammar--readability statistics.

Dragon naturally speaking--for pc. windows based application. this is for students who have difficulty typing and writing. speech recognition software. speech to text.

Via Voice-speech to text. you talk, and the computer types.

Mac speech-also speech to text.

graphic organizers--enchantedlearning.com

trackstar.4teachers.org--a list of websites. kids log on to track website, and look for a track #. have to have at least 2 websites to make a track.

look at virtual fieldtrips!!!!!!--live web cams!!!!!

tonight-inspiration

slater software--have picture it, pal assessment

sett framework--can find documents on the qiat listserv. pdf file. on buffalo website atto.buffalo.edu

http://www.cdlponline.org/--high interest stories for kids. it reads the stories for you.

track star--email-meg_villa@yahoo.com--password--megjesse304.

Next week: track star, filtered emails, chats, wikkis--pbwikki,

look on qiat listserv!!!!!

make sure that when district purchases curiculum-make sure it comes with assessable material.

teachertube.com

Reflection:

why are graphic organizers preferable to just straight information disemination????

Graphic organizers are better to use than straight information because it helps students organize the important information. It is so important to organize and categorize information because it helps people remember what they have learned. Graphic orgainzers also teach students how to organize and categorize information in thier own way so they can start to organize information that they learn later in life. The brain can remember information much better if the information is categorized. Students can connect better with information that they learn when it is organized. If students learn how to organize information they have learned, they will understand more of the content being taught, and they will be better able to connect the infomation with other things they have learned, making the learning process much more meaningful. The more meaningful the content, the more likely learning will take place. Graphic organizers help tremensously to make content more meaningful, which also creates more access of the information to all students, ensuring that learning will take place.

week 8

2008-03-18T18:55:00.000-07:00

3/18/08

The whole idea with using technology is to not use worksheets. the goal is to prepare students with 21st century skills--technology.

Today- bridging the gap to make it to the other side to learn/communicate

SLD-Auditory processing--websites/software/doesn't have to be just technology

erobics-to increase sound systems

fly pen--look at it. sold at frys

Elizabeth Kubler Ross On Death and Dying

Make sure that every interaction with parents involve something good about the child!!!!!!

will be available to download

No class next week!!!!

when we come back we will be working on inspiration

Reflection: how do you help students/teachers/parents bridge the gap between the disability and the childs successful functioning.

I think this is one of the most difficult parts of the job. In terms of students and parents, I think that teachers need to be open and up front with both students and teachers. Students need to understand that they have a disability, whether it is a learning disability or a physical disability, so they can start accommodating for themselves. For example, if a student has ADD, and they know they have difficulty focusing, they can try different things to help themselves concentrate and learn to live with their disability. For me, I know I have trouble remembering things, so I write everything down. With parents, knowing the different recources available to assist thier child, they can try new things, and find the one that works specifically for thier child. Teachers also need to know different recources to assist studnets with disabilities in thier classes. I also think it is important for teachers to be knowledgable about different disabilities so they can use the appropriate accommodations or modifications for a specific student. If teachers know about different disabilities, they will be able to support the student with more success, allowing the student to be successful.

Week 7

2008-03-11T19:03:00.000-07:00

using tech to support curriculum areas/disabilities

is tech for curriculum the same as tech for disabilities? at what point does the tech for the disability get embedded in the tech for curriculum? what separates them?

need to know director and philosophy of tech. there is a point where you change from remediation to compensation.

tonight-the kinds of tech support you can use for curriculum areas.

technology with curriculum

freereading.com-Florida is not buying textbooks, all is on this website.

Starfall

oatsoft.net

cmap for inspiration

national library of virtual manipulatives

http://shodor.org/interactivate/

http://www.freereading.net/index.php?title=Main_Page

clorn.org

http://www.oatsoft.org/Software

http://internet4classrooms.com/

unitedstreaming.com

discoveryknowledgeteacher

flip4mac.com-pc docs to macs

rockourworld

a lot of these are for homeschooling

dreamweaver-industry standard for websites

virtual manipulatives don't have graphics for a certain age!!!!! age appropriate!!!!

RJ cooper- for severely impaired

second life is a huge tech tool.

with safari, you can create a summary of a web page!!!!

reflection: based on the websites you personally found in group, how many are apprpriate as a disability support and why?? Evaluate a website or two in terms of disability support.

I currently use one of the websites I found, edhelper, for extra support in my class. This website is great for disability support because it can give extra support to students who might need it. I find that many of my students do need extra support and practice; they need more practice than what the math textbook provides. I am able to get worksheets on the same subject that we are working on so they can have the practice they need. The worksheets are good because they don't have dorky elementary pictures. Another website I found, http://www.oswego.org/staff/cchamber/techno/games.htm, can also be a great tool for disability support. There are math games that are interactive, and many times, students with disabilities need that interaction to understand concepts. The games are not childish in any way, so they can be used with older students as well. I would like to start using some interactive math games in my classroom because I really think that my students would benefit from playing interactive math games.

week 6

2008-03-04T18:59:00.000-08:00

differentiate between ed tech and assistive tech. look at how you can use at actually in your class!!!! Never talk about a particular program by name when you are writing AT for IEP. Instead, talk about what the technology does. make it very generic. talk about capability of AT, not a specific name. Don't write goals/objectives for AT. AT is only AT if students need it, and it is taken away, they will not be able to do whatever they need to do. Goals/objectives are the standards, what will be used to help students meet the goal is AT.

GE teachers need to know disabilites, accommodations/modifications, goals in a consice way.

Videos
1. Amanda Baggs-young woman, lives by herself. severly autistic. CNN did an interview-provided AT to help with speech.
Living With Autism In a World Made For Others
http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/02/21/autism.amanda/index.html

2. Ennis Cosby Foundation: Hellofriend.org

3. Through the same door: inclusion includes college. Mika has autism, but goes to college. high functioning autism. istructors know there are some accommodations.

4. See with your heart

website misunderstood minds: good for professional development
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/misunderstoodminds/

Equity in online classes. will be available for download. how do you determine when a website is assessable. Web content guidelines-W3.org-checklist for web assessability. search for web assessability for web design assignment.

Next Assignment: cooperative lesson plan. lesson plan on cooperative learning. can be from 2 kids operating a switch, your use of tech will be used for end unit plan. isin't a technology lesson plan.
cmap-free graphic organizers

need to provide age-appropriate academics

Reflection:
With respect to what Danny Clover said about his education, knowing that he was in the lowest reading group and knowing that he will never get out, leaves a mark on you, I agree with him. When students know that they are in the lowest group of anything, and that they have been there all their academic career gives them sort of a learned helplessness. If students feel like they will never get out of special education, what difference does it make if they try or not, if they learn or not. I find that many of my students have that kind of attitude, and it kills me inside because I know they can be so much more. I do not want to leave a negative mark on my students, and do the best I can to help them see that they can be successful. I tell my students all the time that RSP is just a "stopping place." I let my students know that if they work hard, and gain the skills they need to be successful in a regular education language arts or math class, that I will mainstream them. I have already mainstreamed about four or five of my language arts students, and they are doing wonderfully so far. I really try my best to encourage my students to work hard so they can gain the skills necessary to succeed in a regular education class, and I really try my best to let my students know it is possible to be successful, either in my class, or in regular education classes, all it takes is hard work. So, I try to leave a positive mark, rather than a negative mark on my students!

mvillaweek5

2008-02-26T19:03:00.000-08:00

Notes:2/26/08

assistive technology centers: PHP

how within sp ed component to collaborate to have an indepartment/inschool to take students to use the resouces or use the resources in class.

NO tech/low tech/medium tech/hightech: can have a place like a library

Mac's: software for free: website: thefreemac.com

at is a compensetory tool, helps augment learning, social skills where they might not otherwise be able to. do this early, start

try to remediate so they are as independant as possible. teach what they need to know later in school or life. something that is going to cary them over to the next grade.

Download the no tech/lowtech; reading difficulties: download and read tonight. what kinds of compensetory strategies for students if they are in later grades, and not reading at at least a 3rd grade level. Homepage for download: public to find the lowtech/notech

set framework: march 18

at: onion mountain, wati, gpat: look at these websites tonight. quiet listserve linnie le

closing the gap, otap: look at these websites. fctd.info/resources/fig. http://www.atto.buffalo.edu/

wested.org/tdl

the least intrusive as possible for at.

macs0s10: mouse pose to download, text edit plus, books to burn

examples of AT: pencil grips, graph paper, highlighters, writing guides (adjustable), book holders, reading guides (adjustable), multiplication charts, highlighter tape, post its, software for speech to text-text to speech, textbooks on CD's, different kinds of scissors, graphic organizers,

Next Week: Ennis Cosby

Reflection:

I was always under the impression that Assitive technology was required by law to be used with students with disabilities. After reading "Assistive Technology Laws", it still seems to me that it is required by law if a student needs it, especially according to FAPE. If a student requires an AT device to assist in learning, that device needs to be used. The district I work for tells us that we ALWAYS have to check the AT box on the IEP, so I do always check the box. I use AT in my class a lot becuase almost anything can be considered AT. Today, I used a post-it for a student who was trying a long division problem with a multidigit dividend (he didn't use it though, but I will continue to try it with others as well as him). In my classroom, I am constantly finding new AT, like the post-it, to assist with student learning. It seems to me that all students, even students without disabilities would benefit from AT, because it seems like anything can be AT, even an eraser. Using AT in all classrooms for all students sounds like differentiated teaching, or UDL to me, especially the no tech, low tech AT.

As for AT and the IEP, although I do check the AT box, and write low tech devices that can be found in the classroom, like multiplication charts etc., it is not throughly discussed in the IEP meeting. This is something that I have to work on in my IEP meetings. Also, I need to work on incorporating more people from the IEP team to discuss AT needs.

mvilla week3

2008-02-12T19:23:00.000-08:00

EDSE 241 2/12/08
word processor
header footer
water mark-will be on one page.

drop down field

word document will need to include picture in header, water mark, form, and check box

intel book--for the unit plan template. 8 modules--go through them on your own. no reflections on the modules.

Reflection:

I currently do a lot of data management, with IEP's and student work. I actually use excel to manage my IEP's, dates, etc., but I wasn't that good at it. This lesson helped a lot, and now I can use it to update goals of students. I like to put my students in order from when thier IEP's are due. This also helps our psychologist and other specialists, like the speech therapist, I work with so they know if a tri or an annual is coming up!! I really like the comments tool, because a lot of the time there is not enough room in the cells for all the data or info I want to add. I also like that I can send it electronically.

I also use word to make up tests, or other assignments for my students, but I never knew how many features there actually are in word. I really like the drop down box, for multiple choice tests for students, and it can work especially well if students are absent, and want to take the test online!! The check box tool is also great for my students, especially those who need less choices (which I can also give less choices for the drop down box).

mvillaweek2

2008-02-09T18:45:00.000-08:00

I use a lot of low tech, no tech technology in my classroom. For math, I use multiplication charts, graph paper, calculators, a wide variety of manipulatives, such as blocks, rulers, fraction bars, etc. For language arts, we use a lot of graphic organizers, sticky notes, audio tapes/CD's, highlighters. Although I try to use many different forms of low tech, no tech support, I am always looking for more ideas to assist with student learning.

mvillaweek1

2008-02-05T19:39:00.001-08:00

I used to think that technology only included things that had to do with eloctronics, however, I have come to realize that the word technology includes a wide scope things. I now believe that technology has to do with the way humans advance ideas in any field, and that technolgy can range from advanced eloctronics to a pencil grip to a graphic organizer. I believe that technology has many different levels, where advanced electronics would be considered high level technology, and a pencil grip or graphic organizer would be considered low level technology.The school I work at is committed to include technology in learning. We have many computer labs students can use, we have an excellent library, all buildings have a cart of laptops that teachers can check out to use with thier class, we have multiple projectors teachers can use, and the list goes on. On the other hand, the building that my classroom is in (with all the other special education classes) does not have a cart with laptops, however, we can go to the library or the computer lab to use the computers.I use a lot of "low level" technology in my classroom to assist students, however, I would like to start including more "high level" technolgy in my lessons. I am hoping this class will help me include more technology in my classroom to assist in student learning.

test

2008-01-29T19:47:00.000-08:00

HI hope you get my test!