Using Technology As A Learning Tool Session 6 – February 10, 2005

Using Technology As A Learning Tool

Session 6 – February 10, 2005

The Role of Technology for Students with Special Needs

Overview

* Presentations

* A look at software

* Articles: 07, 08, 09 – a discussion

A Look at Software* Productivity Tools

* Office 2000 / XP Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Access)* Claris (AppleWorks)

* Multi-media

* Kid Pix (Mac/PC)* Media-smart (Mac) / Avid cinema (PC)* Hyperstudio (Mac)/ PowerPoint (PC)* iMovie (Mac) / Adobe Premier / Microsoft MovieMaker

Also referred to as “foundation software”. This is software tools that support the expression of ideas. Foundation software can be used across all subject and curriculum areas.

Software Categories

Software Categories: Reference Collections

Drill and Practice

Integrated Learning Systems

Online Communications

Classroom Management

Simulation

Authoring Tools

My Recommendation:

Once a school has a basic collection of foundation software they can begin shopping for other types of software. It's useful to

know what types of software are available.

In K-6 setting, it is suggested that a keyboarding program be purchased following the foundation software.

Reference Collections

* Supplements traditional reference materials

* Includes electronic...

* dictionaries

* encyclopedias

* thesaurus

* atlases

* Software that provide new ways for students to access information.

* Movies, sound, animation, and photographs are often incorporated

* Sample titles in this category include:

* Grolier's Multimedia Encyclopedia

* Encarta

* Range from $25 to $200.

Drill and Practice

* Practice and repetition in specific skill areas

* Scope limited to one area such as basic math facts, or recognition of three letter sound symbol combinations.

* Sample titles in this category include:

* Math Blaster

* Reader Rabbit

* Number Muncher

* Type To Learn

* The most popular type of software found in schools and homes

* Games are generally used as positive reinforcement with this software

* Range from $0 to $50

Integrated Learning Systems (ILS)

* Much broader scope of skill practice and reinforcement.

* ILS systems generally provide a pre test and base subsequent "lessons" on student performance

* Individualized student reports are often available

* More elaborate systems combine audio instruction with visual and kinesthetic activities, the range of lessons, and number of workstations it is loaded on.

* Sample titles in this category include:

* Success Maker

* Jostens Learning Curricula

* SkillsBank

* Costs for this type of software range from $500 to many thousands of dollars depending on the manufacturer

Online Communications

* Software that supports communication between a local computer and others anywhere else in the world

* Communication may involve email, access to the World Wide Web, or interchanges with an electronic bulletin board system.

* Sample titles in category include:

* Eudora

* Netscape Navigator

* NewsWatcher

* TurboGopher

* Costs for this type of software range from $0 to $75.

Classroom Management

* Known as "teacher tools"

* Supports the everyday work of educators

* Electronic grade books, test question databases, activity sheet makers, test scanners, and presentation tools are included here.

* Sample titles include:* MicroGrade* Word Search Creator* Teacher's Toolbox* www.thinkwave.com/

* Range from $0 to $200.

Simulation

* Promotes "virtual reality" types of experience

* Activities that may be either dangerous, costly, and/or inaccessible

* Learners are encouraged to make decisions, experiment, and understand the consequences of choices.

* Sample titles include:

* Myst

* Oregon Trail

* Science Sleuths

* Costs for this type of software range from $25 to $500

Authoring Tools

* Expanding "Foundation Software" beyond writing applications

* Includes

* word processors

* databases

* spreadsheets

* multimedia authoring tools

* graphics programs and the like

* concept mapping

* Sample titles include:

* Microsoft Word (Office Suite)

* Word

* PowerPoint

* Excel

* Access

* AppleWorks

* KidPix

* Range from $25 to $200.

http://www.superkids.com/aweb/pages/reviews/writing/1/inspirat/merge.shtml

E-mail

* “Keypals” - example: www.cbemail.ca* student to student* teacher to teacher using attachments

Something they could do before…but with Something they could do before…but with faster results!faster results!

How Can Computer Software Benefit Teachers

Brainstorm:

How Can Computer Software Benefit the Students?

* enrichment / enhancement

* remediation

* tutorial

* drill and practice (special needs)

* reward

* communication (writing/speaking)

Benefits for students...

* productivity (word processing, database, spreadsheet)

* research (Internet, Encarta)* creativity (music, art)* publishing (page layout)* presentation (slides, multimedia)* collaboration (email, sharing of information

between schools/students)

Benefits for students...

* collection of data (scientific probes)* computer assisted instruction* game/educational game* problem solving* utility/teacher utility* authoring* testing

Selecting Software

* Decide how the software is to be used

* Develop a baseline for comparison - start a pro’s and con’s sheet

* Educational Content - see today’s links

* Presentation

* User Friendliness

* Record keeping and management built in

* Student fit

Software Licensing Agreements

* Single user* lab pack* site license* district license

System Requirements

* 8 MB (mega-bites)

* 16 MB

* 32 MB

* 64 MB

Software Search Exercise(20 min.)

* K-6 Teachers

* Link: www.superkids.com

* K-12 Teachers

* Link: http://www.edmark.com/prod/

Exercise:Exercise:

A surplus has been discovered in your Technology budget. Your principal has approached you to select a software program of your choosing that would be appropriate for the grade / ability of the students in your care. Using one or all of the above suggested software sites, chose a piece of software and be prepared to give reasons why this piece of software should be purchased .

Kid Pix - Why?

Comes highly recommended for K-6!

* I would probably start with a program called KidPix. People think of it as an art program but because it can draw so many shapes and can incorporate text it can be used to create word problems and depict the problem situation.

* It's pretty open ended and you can structure it for kids that need a little more direction.

* Kids can put together drawings and then have them replayed in a particular order to represent their ideas.

* Great for patterning activities using the "stamps."

Backgrounds

Stickers

Animated Stickers

Sounds

Command ButtonsKid Pix Paint Zone

Alberta’s MandateArticle #07

Updated article: http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/k%5F12/specialneeds/SpecialEd_Stds2004.pdf

Technology and Special Needs Kids

* Many schools have spent their entire technology budget on hardware and infrastructure.

* The most successful implementations will devote major funding to professional development designed to help staff modify their teaching strategies, learning strategies and belief systems.

Telecommunications – Article #09

* How does telecommunications facilitate integration?

* What are the political challenges of implementing curricular change toward telecommunications?

* What are the benefits of telecollaborative projects?

Word Activities

Examples: http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~dgwhite/mathandtech.html