Assistive Technologies

There are many different assistive technologies available when using technology. Particularly, on a PC computer's Control Panel, there is an option to use Microsoft Narrator.

Microsoft Narrator would be an excellent tool to use in the classroom for particular students with disabilities. For example, for students with either visual or hearing disabilities, the program allows a voice to read aloud exactly what is going on on the screen. You can choose to have the voice read every key that is pressed on the computer (this could be a great tool for helping with spelling and phonics) or simply read a webpage or document. Whatever the specific use, Microsoft Narrator is an excellent, accessible and free assistive technology.

Communication Tool (Skype)

Skype is a wonderful technology tool for communication purposes. Skype allows computer users to make a "phone call" to another computer user and has the capability to see that person simultaneously by using video chat. The program is available as a free download and is easily accessible to anyone with computer access.


There are some wonderful advantages to using skype in the classroom. First, it enhances any lesson by allowing first-hand communication with others. Students can interact via skype with professionals in a particular field or with other students across the globe. The tool increases efficiency because it is free and allows for speedier, more readily available communication for interaction.

Students can use skype for collaboration on group projects and likewise, teachers can use skype to contact parents in the event that physical one on one conferences were not possible.

Teachers should discuss appropriateness with students when using skype in the classroom. Not only do the students need to be able to work the program correctly, they should also practice good ediquette when speaking with professionals or other student. Perhaps one of the disadvantages to skype, however, is that teachers aren't able to monitor student behavior ahead of time as skype phonecalls take place in real time.

But, overall, it is clear that skype is both an exciting form of technology communication that can, in fact, be a viable tool in terms of classroom curriculum.

ePals

ePals is a wonderful website that provides school-safe collaborative learning products for grades K-12 students, teachers and parents. The site is available free of charge to learners from all around the world, allowing them to connect and interact with each other online in a safe and educational environment. ePals offers students the opportunity to gain the skills necessary to be successful in the 21st century. Some of these skills include the positive benefits of computer literacy, critical thinking abilityies, global awareness, and collaborative skills.

The tool increases efficiency among teachers as they have access to effective tools that can save "prep" time. It also makes them more effective in their teaching approach as they have an opportunity to collaborate with other teachers. This can also be considered Professional Development.

ePals has a great component to their site called In2Books. It is evidence-based curriculum that fosters reading, writing and critical thinking skills. Basically, students are given adult Pen-Pals to converse with and look to as mentors. Both the student and the Pen-Pal read a given book and then discuss their thoughts on important issues in the book through online correspondance. Books are carefully selected to align with literacy, social studies and science standards. The program has been shown to significantly improve literacy skills and love of learning across the curriculum.

ePals is a wonderful tool to utilize in the classroom!

Content Exploration - Elementary Education

For my content exploration tool, I reviewed Kidpix. Kidpix is an interactive software that allows students to create slideshows, draw pictures, utilize templates, create animations, etc. It is a wonderful multimedia product that can be used to enhance learning in nearly any subject imaginable. It combines many computer programs like Paint, Photoshop, and Microsoft Powerpoint into one basic program entirely accessible for kids. It even allows you to implement transitions to your slideshows similar to the more advanced softwares like Windows Movie Maker. Kidpix is easily manipulated and adapted as a way for students to interact with content and explore their creativity, thus making it a great open-ended tool.

One teacher used Kidpix in her classroom as a tool to enhance student learning by having her students create postcards from different cultures that they had been studying. Students were able to create a unique representation of their favorite aspects of geographical content to really showcase their knowledge on a particular region they had studied.

Virtual Field Trips (Enhancement)

http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/listvirtualgr.html



This website offers a variety of different virtual field trips that a class can take from the comfort of the classroom on subjects ranging from math to geology.. These fieldtrips enhance the learning process for students and allow them to do something that might not otherwise be possible.







http://earth.google.com/

This website is another great example of an enhancement tool similar to a Virtual Field Trip. Google Earth allows students to "travel" to destinations across the country and see with their very eyes what that place looks like from a birds eye, satellite view.

Free Technology for Teachers (Effectiveness)

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/

This website is a great resource that allows teachers to create free educational games for all subject areas. Incorporating games of this nature into the curriculum can help students learn more effectively in an entertaining and hands-on approach.

Teaching Lesson Plans and Resources (Efficiency)

http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/k-5.html

This website benefits teachers by ultimately saving them time and making them more efficient. It offers free resources and pre-existing lesson plans for Elementary grade levels K-5 on a variety of standards and topics.