Blog Journal #9
Assistive technology is anything that is made to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. Some examples are; wheelchairs, crutches, or contact lenses. Adaptive technology is anything that is specifically designed for individuals with disabilities and is rarely used for non-disabled persons. Some examples for these are; mechanical organs, artificial limbs, or Braille books. Both are intended to support or enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities. I have used crutches and a wheelchair before when I injured my leg. I have not used any adaptive technology pieces that I can think of. Adaptive technology can be something that can really enhance a classroom and make it a more inclusive environment. It does come with extra effortful thinking though. It may be difficult to creative a completely inclusive environment. For example, it could be difficult to get all text material in Braille for a blind student who may be in your class.
I think the key principles of design are important to keep in mind in order to best benefit each student in a classroom and allow for the most focused and motivating learning environment. Allowing for flexibility in your lessons will come in handy if someone else needs to teach it. Being simple and intuitive can create a more positive environment for the students. They can just focus on the problems at hand rather than trying to read into everything else about the lesson that should be simple. Minimizing errors on the teachers end will greatly benefit the students because they will be more likely to learn things correctly the first time. Including redundant modalities can help solidify information for the students. Avoid side effects can help the students remain focused and learn the most in the classroom.
Academic software can be very useful in the classroom, as long as it goes along with the teachers lessons, not just replaces them. When I was in elementary school, we used TypingPal and it was a great and fun tool that really helped us learn how to type quickly. I think this is a great tool that I would implement in my own classroom. I also think Microsoft Word is a great tool to learn early in education. That is something that almost every individual uses from late elementary school onward. I would definitely implement this into a young elementary classroom for an early start on technology.
I have enjoyed the blogging assignments so far this semester. I think it's a simple and fun way to interact with classmates and reflect on the skills learned throughout the semester. It's interesting to be able to see the class from other's points of view. I have learned a lot about small technology skills like widgets, blog set ups, hyperlinks, etc. This is a unique way to reflect each week on the previous skills learned.
I commented on Evelyn & Liz's posts.
I think the key principles of design are important to keep in mind in order to best benefit each student in a classroom and allow for the most focused and motivating learning environment. Allowing for flexibility in your lessons will come in handy if someone else needs to teach it. Being simple and intuitive can create a more positive environment for the students. They can just focus on the problems at hand rather than trying to read into everything else about the lesson that should be simple. Minimizing errors on the teachers end will greatly benefit the students because they will be more likely to learn things correctly the first time. Including redundant modalities can help solidify information for the students. Avoid side effects can help the students remain focused and learn the most in the classroom.
Academic software can be very useful in the classroom, as long as it goes along with the teachers lessons, not just replaces them. When I was in elementary school, we used TypingPal and it was a great and fun tool that really helped us learn how to type quickly. I think this is a great tool that I would implement in my own classroom. I also think Microsoft Word is a great tool to learn early in education. That is something that almost every individual uses from late elementary school onward. I would definitely implement this into a young elementary classroom for an early start on technology.
I have enjoyed the blogging assignments so far this semester. I think it's a simple and fun way to interact with classmates and reflect on the skills learned throughout the semester. It's interesting to be able to see the class from other's points of view. I have learned a lot about small technology skills like widgets, blog set ups, hyperlinks, etc. This is a unique way to reflect each week on the previous skills learned.
I commented on Evelyn & Liz's posts.
Hi Brittany!
ReplyDeleteYour personal anecdote was really interesting, i had never even thought about assistive versus adaptive technology and your examples really illustrated your point for me! I have also never heard of TypingPal but it sounds so cool! i struggled a lot with typing when i was first learning how to use a computer, this software can definitely help those struggling like i was! Really well written and reflective post, i enjoyed reading!
-Liz