I'm still on vacation, but I thought I'd post this up, just to make myself smile.
Well, not smile, but to think that I'm reading Spec Ed stuff while technically still on vacation.
I'm in tomorrow.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
iPad app to help with hard of hearing
This is awesome - with the iPad's screen being so large, it can be used to read abook in sign language.
Article is here.
Article is here.
Spec Ed/Alt education site
I'm not sure if I like the idea of a separate school for just identified kids. I was taught to think about the least Restrictive Environment in a classroom; that is a few restrictions as to the student population as possible. But that is something that, at times, fails even the roundest of pegs.
Let them explore an idea, a poem, a piece of writing ... whatever; with some structure and some academic tasks that should be followed. Not exactly what the un-identified student next to them does, but something similar.
Now here is a school set up for the sole purpose of getting them away from a traditional school. Hmmm ... I mean I work at an Alternative school - they work for some people; a class of five to ten students is what I normally have - those are challenging enough classes. Get them out of the environment that is a regular classroom with a set of regular school kids and it gets more interesting at times.
The article does state that the program will begin with kids that have been already expelled. That, I agree with. Everyone deserves a chance at an education. Or a second chance ... or a third... or a nineteenth. I wonder if getting these kids together will be in their best interests, or in the interests of the regular school .... maybe it IS a win/win ... or maybe not.
I'm hoping the kids there take the school seriously and get their credits and get on with their lives.
Let them explore an idea, a poem, a piece of writing ... whatever; with some structure and some academic tasks that should be followed. Not exactly what the un-identified student next to them does, but something similar.
Now here is a school set up for the sole purpose of getting them away from a traditional school. Hmmm ... I mean I work at an Alternative school - they work for some people; a class of five to ten students is what I normally have - those are challenging enough classes. Get them out of the environment that is a regular classroom with a set of regular school kids and it gets more interesting at times.
The article does state that the program will begin with kids that have been already expelled. That, I agree with. Everyone deserves a chance at an education. Or a second chance ... or a third... or a nineteenth. I wonder if getting these kids together will be in their best interests, or in the interests of the regular school .... maybe it IS a win/win ... or maybe not.
I'm hoping the kids there take the school seriously and get their credits and get on with their lives.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
"Dumb phones, smart students"
I know this post will make some of my fellow teaching professionals hurt: but if we can convert the use of cell phones to an educational tool, shouldn't we take that chance and try?
I'm always trying to get my students to express themselves better in writing ... on paper. I'm finding that when given the technology and the opportunity to write (or test) their opinions, I tend to get more examples of their writing than less.
Which is ironic when you think about it, as some of the texting plans that I see advertised offer 15 cent charges for each text sent - paper is almost free, and they don't want to use it.
But the use of cell phones with Spec Ed kids is something which this article explores, too.
I'm always trying to get my students to express themselves better in writing ... on paper. I'm finding that when given the technology and the opportunity to write (or test) their opinions, I tend to get more examples of their writing than less.
Which is ironic when you think about it, as some of the texting plans that I see advertised offer 15 cent charges for each text sent - paper is almost free, and they don't want to use it.
But the use of cell phones with Spec Ed kids is something which this article explores, too.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Better trained teachers means a better education system
I like this whole idea, except for the part where teachers need to keep their qualifications up by forced PD.
In any case, this is the way that I was really taught how to teach, and when I read this article, I thought it needed to be shared.
Article is here.
AT is ears for those who cannot hear
A system that allows deaf students to fully take part in mainstream education is being trialled in a Sydney school. About 10,000 Australian children with hearing loss stand to benefit.
Article is here.
Article is here.
More ways to read, AT style
Seems every book is going to be online, sooner or later. The new iPads and the "Old" iTouch technology is allowing people to access more and more books online.
Combining this access to books with Preimier or another text to MP3 file software, and think of the books that Special Needs children can then access.
Article is here.
How did you say that?
At my school, in addition to teaching regular high school students, we get a lot of the proverbial square pegs.
That also includes some students who have finished level six in the LINC classes also taught in the same facilities. To that end, I have discovered "howjsay".
A student can use it to learn how to pronounce words by using this free website to click and paste the words and then listen to how they are said in a a very clear and concise voice. The awesome thing is that Google dictionary is also linked to the words, too.
An even cooler idea is that the howjsay is now also an iPhone App.
That also includes some students who have finished level six in the LINC classes also taught in the same facilities. To that end, I have discovered "howjsay".
A student can use it to learn how to pronounce words by using this free website to click and paste the words and then listen to how they are said in a a very clear and concise voice. The awesome thing is that Google dictionary is also linked to the words, too.
An even cooler idea is that the howjsay is now also an iPhone App.
An online solution for Spec Ed kids
I keep wondering what it is that I do as a teacher. I mean with online learning so available, and stories like "The fun they had" by Issac Asimov as examples where students can stay at home and learn at their own pace, with or without help... makes you think about what identified students at our schools could do with some online help and a tightly structured personal learning online presence. Especially for students, with Asperger's Syndrome, for example.
Article is here.
IEPs According to Dr. Suess
Do you like these IEPs?
I do not like these IEPs
I do not like them, Jeeze Louise
We test, we check
we plan, we meet
but nothing ever seems complete.
Would you, could you like the form?
I do not like the form I see. Not page 1, not 2, not 3.
Another change, a brand new box, I think we all
Have lost our rocks.
Could you all meet here or there?
We could not all meet here or there. We cannot all fit anywhere.
Not in a room Not in a hall There seems to be no space at all.
Would you, could you meet again?
I cannot meet again next week No lunch, no prep Please here me speak.
No, not at dusk and not at dawn At 4 p.m. I should be gone.
Could you hear while all speak out? Would you write the words they spout?
I could not hear, I would not write . This does not need to be a fight.
Sign here, date there, Mark this, check that, Beware the student’s ad-vo-cat(e).
You do not like them so you say Try it again! Try it again! and then you may.
If you let me be, I’ll try again and you will see.
Say! I almost like these IEPs
I think I’ll write 6,003.
And I will practice day and night
Until they say "You’ve got it right."
Author Unknown
I do not like these IEPs
I do not like them, Jeeze Louise
We test, we check
we plan, we meet
but nothing ever seems complete.
Would you, could you like the form?
I do not like the form I see. Not page 1, not 2, not 3.
Another change, a brand new box, I think we all
Have lost our rocks.
Could you all meet here or there?
We could not all meet here or there. We cannot all fit anywhere.
Not in a room Not in a hall There seems to be no space at all.
Would you, could you meet again?
I cannot meet again next week No lunch, no prep Please here me speak.
No, not at dusk and not at dawn At 4 p.m. I should be gone.
Could you hear while all speak out? Would you write the words they spout?
I could not hear, I would not write . This does not need to be a fight.
Sign here, date there, Mark this, check that, Beware the student’s ad-vo-cat(e).
You do not like them so you say Try it again! Try it again! and then you may.
If you let me be, I’ll try again and you will see.
Say! I almost like these IEPs
I think I’ll write 6,003.
And I will practice day and night
Until they say "You’ve got it right."
Author Unknown
A short prayer
Beatitudes for People with Special Needs
Blessed are you who take time to listen to difficult speech:
For you help us to know that if we persevere,
We can be understood.
Blessed are you who walk with us in public places,
And ignore the stares of strangers,
For in your companionship,
We find havens of peace.
Blessed are you who never bid us to "hurry up",
And more blessed are you
Who do not snatch tasks from our hands to do them for us,
For often we need time rather than help.
Blessed are you who stand beside us
As we enter new and untried ventures,
For our failures will be outweighed
By the times we surprise ourselves and you.
Blessed are you who ask for our help,
For our greatest need is to be needed.
Blessed are you when you assure us,
That the one thing that makes us individuals
Is not in our peculiar muscles,
Nor in our wounded nervous systems,
Nor in our difficulties in learning,
Nor any exterior difference.
But is in our inner, personal, individual self
Which no affirmity can diminish or erase.
Author Unknown
Blessed are you who take time to listen to difficult speech:
For you help us to know that if we persevere,
We can be understood.
Blessed are you who walk with us in public places,
And ignore the stares of strangers,
For in your companionship,
We find havens of peace.
Blessed are you who never bid us to "hurry up",
And more blessed are you
Who do not snatch tasks from our hands to do them for us,
For often we need time rather than help.
Blessed are you who stand beside us
As we enter new and untried ventures,
For our failures will be outweighed
By the times we surprise ourselves and you.
Blessed are you who ask for our help,
For our greatest need is to be needed.
Blessed are you when you assure us,
That the one thing that makes us individuals
Is not in our peculiar muscles,
Nor in our wounded nervous systems,
Nor in our difficulties in learning,
Nor any exterior difference.
But is in our inner, personal, individual self
Which no affirmity can diminish or erase.
Author Unknown
Lady Gaga needed an IEP?
I'm just not sure if I can actually see Lady Gaga as a nerdy kid. I just can't.
Ah well, seems she was a gifted child and spent some time at a Johns Hopkin's University Centre for Talented Youth. Hmm.. makes me wonder. Article is here.
Using Odiogo
An idea for Special Educators
In my regular classroom, I need to make sure that everyone "gets" the instructons. Here is something to watch for transcribing voice to text.
Dragon Naturally Speaking
I think this video is something that you need to watch in order to see just what you can do with an iPod Touch.
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