This week I have started getting calls and emails, "We need a training before teachers return. Contact me." So I guess the time is approaching to kick into gear and drive off the mountain and get working on new projects, pick up old ones and get back to the students who have been home doing things with family over the summer like showing bunnies at the fair, swimming, speech camp, etc, I guess it will be a transition for them too!
My Back to School Integration List for Assistive Technology and Learning:
Wii therapy/XBox Kinect - continuing our pilot and working with some new schools to trial as well support schools that purchased systems for start up this year. We use these to enhance OT goals and also to enhance peer play and social/communication goals. We have an autism specialist that we turned loose with a Kinect and XBox this summer to develop some strategies for autism social and communication goals - can't wait to see what she has come up with.
Common Core Language Arts Standards alignment with strategies using AT, E-Readers and iPad apps, etc. I taught a summer class (OK I wasn't off all summer) on cross-referencing Core Standards in ELA with open source computer apps that will assist in student succcess for that standard. I want to develop it more this year.
TBI and AT: Technology that supports learning for students after Traumatic Brain Injury.
Free Open Source Tools on all our school computers for student accommodation - now a reality but in need of a lot of training and reinforcement. Tools include DSpeech, XMind, Hott Notes, and tools like Vubar, Sonar Cursor Ring and Orato. You can see a list of links and descriptions at the Access Apps Site.
AAC devices with boards/pages designed for curriculum and in-class learning not just communication. I have helped our SLP's develop some exciting boards for science as well as life skills and community topics. These have been on Dynavox and PRC devices.
iPad/iPod Touch apps searches for AAC, AT and student accommodation and learning - there is always something new.
I am excited to see what we come up with this year. I am always striving to learn new things and develop cutting edge strategies in my service to students and staff . If you are returning to a school district or regional service organization after a summer break, I wish you a great fall full of great opportunities to make a difference in a child's life.
All the best!
Lon
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4 comments:
I really like the idea of using the Wii and Kinect for communication/OT purposes! I am in an assistive tech class right now, as a special education major, and this is something I am definitely going to bring up in a class discussion. I think it is great that gaming devices like these are being used in the classroom. I think that is going to be very successful, I am excited to hear how it goes!
I really like the idea of using the Wii and Kinect for communication/OT purposes! I am in an assistive tech class right now, as a special education major, and this is something I am definitely going to bring up in a class discussion. I think it is great that gaming devices like these are being used in the classroom. I think that is going to be very successful, I am excited to hear how it goes!
I never thought about using a Wii as Assistive Technology before! That is brilliant!
I think that it serves as multimodality (UDL framework) as well as motivation for students!
You present a lot of relevant info about AT and new uses/ideas for teachers in general and special education. Thank you!
Thank you for your site! I am currently in school to become a Special Ed teacher. Part of my goal is to familiarize myself with as many tools as possible that can enrich the students learning expereince. This is a fabulous idea of bringing something that they already have and bring it into the educational world.
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