Friday, November 4, 2011

Video on Technology in the Classroom (New Brunswick)

Please comment!

http://youtu.be/EjJg9NfTXos

Class #3

I am sure I am starting to sound like a broken record, but I am AMAZED at the changes that have taken place in the classroom since I was in school. Hearing the presentations today on Kurzweil, WYNN, MyStudyBar and of course Natural Reader was a real eye opener. I keep wondering who thought of this wonderful technology that is helping so many kids. The opportunities for all students are now endless!!

Pictello
I think the app is really fun. Not having students I am a little stuck on unique ways to use it in a classroom so I will expand on what we talked about. First I think that this would be great with smaller kids learning about their ``selves``. Recognizing themselves, their eyes, ears, mouths etc. But also how there body fits in their surroundings and in the world. I think it would be very helpful in teaching facial expressions and understanding other`s moods and feelings. Reading other people is sometimes a difficult skill to obtain, but using their own faces to learn would be very helpful. I love the idea of kids doing their own social story. Teaching creativity is so important, and the Pictello makes it so fun and makes them the star of the story :) Plus the fact that they can share their story gives an extra sense of importance and self esteem that may be lacking for a student with a learning disability. I also think that the camera is a great tool for simply letting the student watch themselves learn. I can just imagine all the a-ha moments that these kids would have suddenly realizing they know something they may not have have been aware they know. Fianlly you cannot deny the fun that is had using this app. Even in our class the laughing and chatter was proof that people were engaged and involved in what they were doing.

My Favorites

After looking at a bunch of sites to aide in reading, I finally picked three.

http://pbskids.org/superwhy/
Super Why is a great kid friendly way to learn letters and words, their pronounciation and meanings as well as rhyming and fun! This site is full of great activites that attracts kids.

http://www.tumblebooks.com/tumblereadable/
Books for elementary through high school that highlights and narrates the text. Great for learning and for sound vs letter recognition for a great age and skill level range.

http://www.raz-kids.com/
Helping kids in elementary with the added benefit of quizzes to aide understanding and the option for the student to record their reading!