Day Five: Watching Videos and Searching Links

Today I feel brave enough to try and add videos and links into my Blog. I am attempting to do this while my husband is using my iPod to read the Super Human Resources comic book I downloaded for him, as he works in the Human Resource field.



The video above is, interestingly enough, made by a graduate student completing Education courses (thank you Barbara for NOT requiring us to do this!). In the video, the student shows various uses for the iPad, as well as some facts and figures about the device. What I found interesting about this video was that it showed three programs that are very similar to Microsoft programs, but obviously much more accessible (when you consider the alternative of lugging aruond a laptop). The first is Keynote, which is similar to PowerPoint, the second is Pages, which is basically Word, and the third is Numbers, which is a lot like Excel.



The video above is all about Kurzweil, and although it may seem a bit premature, as we are learning about this technology next week, it does give a bit of an overview that hightlights the strengths of this program. The video showcases a Middle School classroom in which Kurzweil is used with or for all students, not just reluctant readers. All students learn to use the highlighting and extracting text feature, and improve their organization skills. The teacher said he is able to get through more material and run a more efficient classroom.

http://www.apple.com/education/ipad/

Check out the link above for ideas on how to use the iPad in the classroom (thanks Apple).

Day Four: Wild for Webinars

Today I watched my first AND second webinars. I viewed one entitled, "Apps in Action for Reluctant Readers", and another entitled, "Apps in Action for Multiple Disabilities". The thing I appreciated most about these Elluminate lessons was that I could see the apps in action, before making the decision to purchase. Previously, I had been relying heavily on the consumer ratings, but have found those to be unreliable. There are many new apps I will now explore, but since the iTunes store is not allowing me to download apps right now (I'm not sure if this is a common glitch or something specific to my computer), I'm going to describe five additional apps I downloaded previously and have been exploring.

6. Comic +: I like this app because it gives the user free access to a wide array of comic books. Users should note however that there is an adult advisory warning, as I image some of the graphic novels could be geared towards a more mature audience. However, I downloaded "Alice in Wonderland" for free, and have been reading through that. I was never into comic books as a child, but have since found a niche that is not just superheroes and villains, which I quite enjoy. This app would be great for reluctant readers who are intimidated by large amounts of text, and who benefit from visual supports. I can see this app engaging students with ADD who have trouble focusing on the task at hand.

7. Word Domino: I find this app exciting, and a bit addicting myself! There are three different levels, and my mind starts to race when I select the highest level. However, for our reluctant readers, level one would be the most appropriate. In this setting, there are different parts of words in eight separate boxes: four beginnings and four endings. You must begin by selecting a box, and then chose the appropriate ending that matches. There is also a timer, which adds to my own competitive spirit. This app would assist with word recognition and improve spelling, and would be of benefit for students looking to work on their phonological awareness.

8. HeartLand Word of the Day: This is a different kind of app, and it reminds me of the "word a day" calendars I used to buy. Each day, there is a new word to learn, and you always have the option of returning to the previous day's word. The app gives the theme and meaning of the word, as well as an example. This app is for anyone looking to build their vocabulary and help improve their literal comprehension when reading.

9. Quick Reader: I have always wanted to be able to read faster, and have often marveled at how quickly some of my peers can fly through novels. I completed the first test using Aesop's fables and discovered that I read 372 words per minutes. However, I'll admit that I was perhaps "breezing through" more quickly than I might other more challenging texts, but I now have a benchmark from which I can go forth. When I actually tried the speed reader function, in which the text was highlighted in chunks, I found this very disjointed, and it was difficult to stay within the coloured boxes. I did not really retain anything I had read, but perhaps this will come with more practice. I believe this app will be beneficial for those wishing to improve their speed in order to become more productive readers. For those reluctant readers who don't want to even start a text because they know it will "take forever", gaining the confidence and know how to read efficiently could be a real asset.

10. Pocket White Board: This is a paid app, but I believe it could have very powerful applications for the classroom. Essentially, the screen is a white board, and there is a selection of coloured markers (as well as an eraser) at the bottom of the screen. The user writes/draws on the board using their finger, and you can see an example at the top of this post. Many reluctant readers are hesitant to participate in the classroom setting, but this would enable them to engage with what it taking place on the board at their desks. For example, if the class was creating a brainstorm on a topic, the user could do so from their own seat. This is beneficial if the student has trouble holding and manipulating a marker, or even if they are nervous of making a spelling error in front of the class. This could then be emailed to the teacher. I will note that this app would likely be much more easily manipulated from an iPad instead of an iTouch.

11. The Lettermen Books: I can't help but smile when I open these books! A story is read aloud (in a friendly, exciting voice) and the pictures are wonderful - in each case, it shows animated/character letters spelling out a key word and acting out the word! For example, if the key word on the page is "dig", it shows D, I, and G characters (in order) with shovels moving dirt! This is a perfect app for engaging reluctant readers who have difficult attending to a task. It helps build ones mental lexicon by visually showing the graphemes and reinforcing the alphabetic principle. Still smiling :)

12. Translate!: This app would be valuable tool for ESL students. It allows the user to type a word in one of over fifty different languages, and then translate it directly below (again, in one of the languages indicated). It is very easy to use - simply scroll through the flag/country name to your language of choice, and type using the keyboard. This app would also be very useful if one was traveling because even if you could not pronounce the words, you could show the screen to the person you were attempting to communicate with!

Until next time... happy "apping" (yes, I did just change a noun into a verb!)

Day Three: Shopping Trip... Without Crossing the Border!

*This post was intended to be added yesterday, but I encountered a problem..."

Today was a first - I was required to spend three hours shopping (albeit most of my products were free) in a classroom setting. I quickly learned that acquiring free apps, versus paid apps, was much like getting a free tank top (made of less material) instead of paying for a sweater. Sometimes you want a tank top, and sometimes this is sufficient, but other times a tank top doesn't cut it, and it's worth shelling out the extra dough for a finer (or warmer) product that offers you more.

Since I do not have time tonight to detail all of my app finds (and that would be a rather long post), I will start with a few, and add more over the next few days.

1. Scrabble app: This app allows the user to play Scrabble with a random opponent online, or with a friend. Some neat features include:

• The option to see the best word available


• The choice to shuffle around your letters so that you can better visualize words


• A dictionary to check your words


• A list of two letter words

This app would assist an individual with developing their mental lexicon when other environmental factors may have been lacking in childhood. It can help increase vocabulary and even develop phonemic awareness because users have to take parts of existing words and use them to construct new words.

2. Mad Libs app: This app requires the user to enter different types of words based on written cues, such as a plural noun or an adjective. These words are then put into a paragraph (I completed a rather humorous example that I will attempt to post). This app would allow the user to improve their phonemic awareness and would likely ensure more successful attention to the literary task.

3. ABC Braille Translator: I paid for this app, and it is one I am unimpressed by. The main screen has a list of every letter in the alphabet and by selecting a letter, the user is taken to a screen that shows the six circle "pattern" with shaded dots to represented the raised text that would be used to write in Braille. However, this application would be useful only for someone without a visual impairment who wishes to create a Braille text, or to decipher a Braille text. Because the dots are not raised, it would be of no assistance to an individual with a visual impairment.

4. Bubble Words: Using this app, the user matches one of a half dozen or so words floating in bubbles that rhymes with a displayed picture. This would improve awareness of rhyming, which is part of the phonemic awareness aspect of reading. Although it may seem like a simple game, it is rather advanced; the word that must be rhymed is not written out, and so the user will have to have a strong phonological awareness and understand the ending syllable that makes up the picture, and match this sound to a written word in a bubble.

5. Comic Touch: This app is an exciting feature that allows the user to create their own comics using pictures they have taken. This requires the user to plan and organize, if they are to develop their own stories. Depending on the assignment or requirements of the task, the individual may have a unique opportunity to create a dialogue in which they further their comprehension of an event in history they read/learned about in Social Studies (for example) by reflecting and making connections (putting themselves in the story) or by making inferences (creating thought bubbles).

In addition to my shopping and exploration, I also used my I-POD touch in the car (NOT while driving of course). I wanted to listen to The Vinyl Cafe Podcast I had subscribed to, but didn't have a way to do so through the car's speakers. Since the volume output from the I-POD itself is very quiet, I wedged the I-POD under my bra strap so that it rested on my shoulder and played directly into my ear. I had a bit of a sore neck when I got home, but a professional massage fixed that! Lastly, I set up my I-POD touch to show me the weather for Halifax with a simple click of a button, and I am now excitedly planning to head to the cottage for my long weekend!

Day Two: Inspired by Inspiration

Today my partner and I created a graphic organizer using Inspiration to map the reading process. We began first by trying to get our ideas down on paper, but this program certainly allowed for a more polished product. Using Sousa's chapter for inspiration, we chose to elaborate on the biological processes involved in hearing, seeing, and speaking, and am I interested to see if any other groups focused on these elements.
I also became more comfortable with the I-POD touch today, and reached a level of "excitement" in which I demonstrated my tech-savy skills for my husband. I downloaded the
Google app and used this to search for The Chronicle Herald and read the paper before class in the SUB - this was much easier than dragging out and booting up my laptop, or attempting to carry around a paper!

The Teacher Becomes the Student

Day One: An Introduction to Technology (Again...)

How can it be a mere three years since I completed my last degree? I feel very much out of touch with the world of technology (I still find comfort with my flip phone circa 2008 after all) and am a little overwhelmed. However, I fought the urge to "forget" my I-POD touch in the SUB, and have since learned a great deal.

• No matter how long you hold down the square bottom on the front of the I-POD, the device will NOT turn on



• The device is convinced it is January 1970, and although I've tried countless times unsuccessfully to reset my calendar, I now find it amusing the device believes it is in a time during which I-PODS were not even invented



• You may have more "apps" than you may think; by swoshing (I doubt that is the proper term) your screen to the side, you can find even more attractive icons



• The fact above was pointed out by a peer in my class, so having an I-POD and not knowing how to use it is a great way to meet friends



• When taking a video, sound WILL be recorded



• Elaborating on the note above, when filming oneself, it is best to hold the device at eye level to avoid double chins, and a close up of ones nose hairs



• Perhaps somewhat unrelated, I also learned that there are many "dead-zones" on campus, which makes using my newly downloaded "DailyBurn" app rarely difficult

Returning to the classroom was also a bit of an unfamiliar experience. I realized how easily distracted I can become... whether it's watching the weather outdoors, monitoring the download progress of Kurzweil, or listening to conversations in the hall. However, I did find the videos describing the workings of the brain, eye and ear fascinating (I did major in Biology after all). I also learned what assistive technology IS (independent access to a task designed to improve performance) and what it IS NOT ("IT"). Finally, I was forced to really break down how I read, and realized how much of this process is ingrained and routine for me, and that it may be hard to dissect my prior knowledge.