Connecting with Assistive Technology

Web 2.0

Hi there,

I thought you would  find this video interesting.  It is about how the internet has changed communication in our world.  This change is referred to as Web 2.0 and our kids are already there.  But they need us to understand this new phenonomon and help them “navigate the rapids”.  Take a look at the video.  What do you think?  Just click on the title Web 2.0 and write your response.  Thank you. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gmP4nk0EOE

MACUL Conference Focused On New Directions for Educators

MACUL Conference Focused On New Directions for Educators

(MACUL -Michigan Association of Computer Users in Learning)

By Dianna Joachim Colmen, LISD Assistive Technology Coordinator

The diversity of learners in today’s classrooms forces teachers to rethink how they teach and what they teach on a regular basis. There is a greater diversity among the members of every classroom. This is an advantage in the classroom where each student “contributes important ideas and energies that promote diversity by honoring difference through interrelationships, interdependence, and the unique qualities in each classroom” (Southwest Consortium for the Improvement of Mathematics and Science Teaching [SCIMAST], n.d., p. 4). To honor this student diversity so that the entire society can benefit, socio-cultural, natural learning variances and developmental differences of learners should receive equal attention regarding curriculum, instruction, evaluation, and learning materials.

This basic premise of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) was a common thread throughout the entire MACUL conference. From the opening keynote address to the closing keynote address, through the workshop strand on assistive technology, in displays such as the “Assistive Technology Playground”, and in the Vendor exhibits, the focus was on the need to incorporate what we already know about learning from brain and effective teaching research into every class lesson. Featured speaker David Rose from CAST, the Center for Applied Special Technology and principal investigator of the National Center for Access to the General Curriculum, an OSEP-funded cooperative agreement, presented neuro-psychological research on why the shift in education is necessary and has been legally mandated.

Technology hardware and software have become refined enough to become an invaluable learning management tool. In order to meet the increasing demands in the classroom, every teacher needs to understand how to harness the essential tools that effective use of technology offers.

There’s an interesting article in the eSchool News this month (March 2007) it says that dynamic leadership is a significant contributor to technology integration success. Not too surprisingly, they found that principals who were willing to take risks, set a clear vision, engage in cooperative decision making, “walked the walk”, and give positive feedback to teachers were more successful in moving their school toward integrating technology to teach. This study reinforces my belief, from experience, that dynamic leadership is a necessary requirement for successful implementation of UDL.

Learn More about the March, 2007 MACUL conference: http://cemat.edublogs.org/

Assistive Technology

Assistive technology tools and services ensure that students with disabilities have equal opportunities for a free, appropriate, public education.