Technology and a Developmental Delay LD

      Throughout my years of teaching, I have come across a few students who have been identified with a development delay within their cognitive functioning.  A developmental delay is usually diagnosed for a child under the age of 8 years, and it is not always clear as to why there may be a delay within a child's development.  The condition is usually for those who have a significant delay in both processing and development, and the delay would pose serious consequences to the educational development of the child, if special intervention is taken to address the issue.  These children show specific skill deficits and delays in language, perception, meta-cognition, social, emotional, and or motor skill development.  It is important to address these children in their primary years of education, to help eliminate the delay with proper attention and intervention.

      To identify a developmental delay within a child, several assessments can be done.  Within the classroom, the homeroom teacher can usually identify a significant delay within his/her literacy program.  Utilizing running reading records, PM Benchmarks, Literacy profiles, and teacher observations, the educator can ascertain if a child has a significant delay.  From there, the child can be brought to school team, where the SERT can then follow up with a variety of tests and checklists to determine if the child has a significant delay in processing and functioning (e.g., Wechsler Fundamentals Assessment, Processing Assessments, Adaptive Behaviour Assessments, etc.).  Once a child has been identified with a developmental delay, he/she can then be put on an accommodated program, that includes the proper supports for the child, including Assistive technology devices and tools.

      There are many tools that can be used to support children with an identified developmental delay.  The use of an IPad or tablet is a great hands on means to engage students with delays.  There are numerous apps that can be downloaded to enhance speech, support writing, promote vocabulary development, and develop reading abilities among learners.  Here are a few apps that are available for download to support these learners.

• Learn English 6000 Words - A vocabulary app that combines word development, with pictures, music and games
• Raz-Kids - Now available as an app!  Fantastic reading software that include audio stories for its users
• Connect the dots with Dino and Friends - A tracing app that helps to improve dexterity and coordination
• Sushi Monster - A great math app for addition and multiplication skills

     For Students experiencing struggles with the written word, Dragon Naturally Speaking, and Dragon Dictation can help students vocalize their ideas verbally, and the software can then translate them into text form.  Programs like Kurzweil and Word Q (which I mentioned in my previous blog), or premier tools can translate text into vocalized speech, for those students who struggle with verbal expression and understanding.  Information about each of these programs and software alike, can be accessed through the links below.

Dragon Naturally Speaking

Dragon Dictation

Kurzweil

Word Q

Premier Tools

Assistive Technology Tools

  

      Many students today continue to struggle in their studies, due to issues with learning disabilities, developmental delays, and overall struggles in the development of reading, writing, and mathematics skills.  Conventional teaching methods are not always enough to assist these students within the development of their education and cognitive function.  In response to these growing needs, there has been an explosion of Assistive Technology tools over the last few years, to help students within their studies, so they can better understand new ideas and concepts, and not fall behind their classmates within their own development.

        Assistive technology is any item, piece of equipment, or system that helps an individual bypass, work around or compensate for a specific learning problem.  Some technologies can be as simple as an audio tape or a basic downloadable application, to high tech computer devices and scientific implants for hearing disabilities.  Approaches used to address the difficulties faced by individuals with learning disabilities fall into two general categories remedial and compensatory. A remedial approach seeks to alleviate a specific deficit or improve an area of weakness. A compensatory approach tries to work-around or bypass a deficit.  Assistive technology is a compensatory approach.  Finding the most appropriate Assistive technology for someone with a learning disability is very tricky. There are four components to be considered:

1. the individual who needs the technology and their specific strengths, limitations, skill sets, knowledge and interests;
2. the specific tasks or functions the assistive technology is expected to perform (such as compensation for a reading, writing or memory problem);
3. the setting where the assistive technology will be used (school, home, workplace); and
4. the device itself considerations such as ease of operation, reliability, portability and cost.    ( "Choosing Assistive Technology" )

      Assistive technology tools are designed to accomplish 4 things:

• minimize the extent to which individuals with an LD need to ask for help, enabling them to be more independent learners
• improve the speed and accuracy of work
• reinforce effective classroom instruction and strengthen skill development
• help students to 'fit in' with classroom learning and routines
• motivate students with an LD to set high goals for themselves and to persevere

      The following are 3 Assistive Technology tools that students can utilize to assist in their education and maintain stronger academic work habits and routines within the classroom.

1.     Word Q is an application task bar that can work in conjunction with any word processing document, web browser, email client, notebook, or even Facebook.  It combines word prediction software, speech recognition, and proofreading feedback.  By highlighting text, a user can have the text read to them aloud for clearer understanding and comprehension.  While writing, Word Q provides a prediction feature that allows struggling writers to see the word as it is being spelled, so students don't have to worry about figuring out the spelling.  Finally, Word Q enables auditory proofreading of written text, so users can hear how they have written a sentence or passage.  All of these features will assist in improving the proofreading skills of a student, when completing a piece of writing.  It is a great means to develop grammar, spelling, and pronunciation skills for students.  It is also a great means for developing comprehension skills both when reading and writing text.

2.     Kurzwiel  has been around education for several years.  It is a program designed for individuals with visual impairments and the blind, or who have learning disabilities such as dylexia or attention deficit disorder. It is a text to speech software that allows its users to read and write with the assistance of an audio software platform.  A user can simply upload a reading by using the internet or scanning document, and the program will then be able to read the text for the student.  If a student is completing a piece of writing, the program will automatically read back a sentence once the user finishes typing.  A very useful proofreading tool.  For students with an LD, who struggle with writing and proofreading, or who struggle with reading comprehension, understanding, fluency, or phonics, Kurzweil is an excellent Assistive technology tool to help build a foundation for reading and writing awareness.

3.    Smart Ideas is another program that has been within education for several years.  It is a very basic mind mapping and organizational tool, that allows students to organize their ideas and learning into an interactive web diagram.  Users create idea topics and subtopics, in the form of bubbles and arrows that connect everything in a web.  Students can play around with the different bubble types, connectors, and they can even include images into the document.  Users can create sub folders within their bubbles, and drop in imported videos as well.  Smart Ideas can be used with other applications, include Word Q, Kurzweil, and many others.

Top 10 Information and Technology Tools in Education

      The following post represents my top ten list for Information and Technology Tools that can be utilized to support education.  What I tried to do with this list, is to pick ten tools and applications that serve for different functions and purposes.  I wanted to avoid applications that had similar functions, or avoid stand alone programs that serve a specific purpose, when the same function can be served in a multi-platform program (e.g. Setting up a website that has a blog feature, as opposed to setting up a stand alone blog).  This was a hard list to compile, as there are so many great tools for educators to utilize in their classroom.  The biggest deciding factors for my list were accessibility, ease of use, multiple features, and for a lot of the online programs, it's free.  So, I present my list of the top ten Information and Technology tools for the classroom!

10. Bitstrips for Schools - Online Comic Creator ( http://www.bitstripsforschools.com/ )

     Bitstrips is an easy to use comic creator that has several classroom applications.  The program has numerous templates, characters, props, and speech bubbles for students to sort through and use.  There are numerous curriculum connections that educators can use to assess among several different subject strands.  Students can create stories for a writing mark, or present a visual retell of a story for a reading mark.  They can create a comic connecting to science and space, or present a comic on early First Nations and European Explorers.  The possibilities are endless.

9.   Padlet - Online Bulletin Board  ( http://padlet.com/ )

      Padlet provides users with an easy to use online bulletin board, that features a simple drag and drop feature that allows for easy collaboration and idea sharing.  It is in essence, a system of sticky notes on the computer, where users can contribute ideas, share messages and notes, and even include a variety of multimedia formats to enhance presentations.  Padlet can be a useful tool for teachers, during lessons and classroom discussions, or can be a useful presentation tool for students, allowing other users to post questions and comments regarding the subject matter being discussed.

8.  Voicethread - Audio Presentation Tool ( https://voicethread.com/ )


      Voicethread is an online audio presentation tool, that allows users to create audio presentations that work with digital images and videos.  The program is cloud based, so users can create presentations online, recording their voice to a series of selected images and/or videos.  A unique feature of the program is the ability for users to add audible comments online during presentations, to ask questions and generate discussion.  Voicethread can be useful to teachers when presenting curriculum material, or to students who are collaborating on a project, or presenting their learning in an audio and visual form.


7.  Weebly - Free Website Builder ( http://www.weebly.com/ )

      Weebly.com is free website builder, designed to make website creation easy and quick to do.  The website builder can play host to many functions, including business, commerce, communication, and education.  Weebly has many tutorials to get users started, and feature many templates, and a simple drag and drop method for a user to design a webpage.  Weebly can have several links to educational programming, including teacher websites, student blogs, embedding presentations, sharing learning, and reflecting on classroom practices.  Having students build their own website is a great motivator for student learning.


6.  YouTube - Free Video Sharing Site ( https://www.youtube.com/channels/science_education )

      YouTube has been around for many years, and has grown tremendously over the last several years since its creation.  It continues to be an excellent resource for obtaining information or displaying visual content of topics of interest.  I've used YouTube for years now to show students informative videos on a wide range of educational topics and subjects.  YouTube is a great means to share learning as well.  Private channels can be created to upload video content on student learning, presentations, lectures, and student created films. The video content on YouTube has excellent teaching applications as well as the ability to share student learning.


5.  Quizlet -  Online Flashcards and Study Games  ( http://quizlet.com/ )

      Need to prepare your students for a difficult test, or practice basic arithmetic skills?  Quizlet is a great free resource to do just that.  Quizlet provides students with study notes and flashcards to reinforce teaching and learning within the classroom.  Students can create their own flashcard cards to extend their own learning of new concepts, or search for pre-made card stacks on numerous subjects.  Whether it's learning synonyms for words, memorizing multiplication facts, or learning about the constellations, Quizlet has endless connections to the curriculum.

4.  IPad and Apps - Apple's Tablet and Applications  ( https://www.apple.com/ca/ipad/ )

      The IPad continues to be the most popular tablet on the market.  Although still the most expensive tablet on the market, one can not beat its easy to use desktop, navigation, and the selection of apps available at the Apple store.  The IPad has numerous apps that relate to many subjects and strands of the curriculum, and students always enjoy playing the educational games available for download.  Its easy to use interface can be used by any student, from secondary school to kindergarten.  The attachments also allow the IPad to be connected to a computer or projector, which can come in handy for lessons and presentations.





3.  SmartBoard Technologies - Interactive Whiteboard Display
( http://smarttech.com/ ,  http://exchange.smarttech.com/#tab=0 )

      The Smart board is a fantastic tool for everyday classroom use.  Its interactive touch display allows for greater student interaction during lessons, lectures, and presentations.  The Smart board can be incorporated into everyday routines or for specific lessons, activities, and games.  Teachers can create their own presentations using Smart Notebook, or they can visit Smart Exchange for pre-made presentations across numerous subjects and strands.  The Smart Board is also an excellent tool for student presentations, and allows for students to navigate through a variety of programs with a simple touch of the screen.  The Smart Board is a great tool to keep students motivated and engaged.



2.  Edmodo - Social Networking Platform ( https://www.edmodo.com/ )

     Edmodo is a private social platform for teachers and students to share ideas, files, events and assignments.  It is a way for students and teachers to interact, beyond the classroom, following up on assignments, homework, questions, and information exchanges.  It's easy and free to set up an account, and has a very easy to use interface.  Teachers can set up notes, assignments, and quizzes for their students, and students have the ability to submit ideas and work on their own account, once a class group has been set up by the teacher.  Edmodo also allows its users to follow different communities and publications related to all subjects for the Elementary and Secondary curriculum.  Edmodo is a great means for teachers to stay connected with their students.


1.  Google Drive/Docs - Word Processing and File Storage ( https://drive.google.com )

      Google continues to be a leader online, for social networking, communication, and discovery.  Google Drive/Docs is a free web-based word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, form and data storage service from Google. A user can work on their own or collaboratively within a group.  You can also import docs from MS Office and Open Office.  It's easy to use and has full cloud functioning, so all work can be saved online for convenience and accessibility.  Many school boards are creating their own accounts for students to use, share, and save their work (The Halton District School Board has the Halton Cloud account for its teachers and students to use).  Two of the biggest advantages to this application:  1. The ease for students and teachers to share documents.  2. The accessibility to all of the other apps available on the the Google network, and the interactivity of each.

Weebly for Assessment in the Classroom and Other Great Resources

http://www.weebly.com/start/

What is It?

• A free website that users can access to create their own blog or webpage
• Contains several features including blogs, templates, and forum creation
• Users can include text, photos, videos, links, and more

Why Use It?

• The easy drag and drop features allow a website to be created quickly and with many features and pages
• It provides the starting blocks for website creation, but allows for creativity and differentiation among students
• This application can be connected to any educational strand for a variety of purposes

Assessment Opportunities

• Easy forum to display learning for any Science or Social Study project
• Provides ongoing assessment opportunities for writing, displayed in various blog posts and student comments
• Provides for strong media literacy components for analyzing and interpreting media texts

Online Bookmarking - Delicious and Scoop It

      In part one of my Integration of Information and Computer Technology in the Classroom course, I opened up a Delicious online bookmarking account, and book marked several links that connect to education and the classroom.  In a previous blog, I discussed the benefits of online bookmarking, including the ability to access your favorite sites from anywhere, explore topics of interest, and follow other users bookmarks likewise.  It's a great resource that have several classroom applications.

https://delicious.com/

      Recently, I opened up a Scoop It account, and began to curate some links for mathematics resources (and I've also just begun a page for language resources).  I found it easy to use and search for content that related to my topic.  One of the drawbacks that I noticed, were the number of links centred around Youtube videos.  While I found many videos useful for my classroom practices, it would be nice to see more links that include information and games that are applicable to the classroom.  I do find that Scoop It is well organized, in terms of one's ability to curate links under a wide range of topics, and without the use of hashtags to access saved links.

http://www.scoop.it/

      Both Scoop It and Delicious are useful bookmarking tools for the classroom.  This can come in handy for research purposes for students, when bookmarking links to source their information, using hashtags and key words to find appropriate articles, or even to access teacher articles tagged by the instructor for students to access.  I like the the organization of Scoop It more, with the curation of different topics for links, but I find Delicious has a greater variety of links when searching in its databases.  Both are useful to create pages and bundles of useful links for information, for both educator and student use.

Revisiting Open Office and Google Drive - Microsoft Office Online Tools

      In part one of my Integration of Information and Computer Technology in the Classroom course, I compared the two processing applications, Open Office and Google Drive.  Both are easy to use and easily accessible by any user.  The major advantage to Google Drive, over Open Office was the fact that Drive is completely online, allowing for documents to be shared easily.  Furthermore, documents can be worked on collaboratively by several parties, and the Drive also gives users access to multiple applications offered on the google network.


      Another information processing program that has been around for years is Microsoft Office.  The office program has been used for years, to create documents, spreadsheets, notes, and slideshow presentations. To compete with Google Drive, Microsoft Office is now available for online use, free to any user at Office.com.  Documents, Spreadsheets, and Powerpoint presentations can now be created online, using several of the same features that the original Microsoft Office utilizes.

      Users can simply click on a tile on the main page, to access one of the program applications.  If a user already has a hotmail, outlook, or xbox 1 account, they already have access to the programs.  All work is completed online, and is saved in Microsoft's One Drive account, so documents can be accessed from any computer at any time.  Like Google Docs, users can share documents with others, and work collaboratively on them at the same time.  Links can be shared, the program has a lot of templates available, and another handy feature of the program is if you have Microsoft Office installed on your computer, you can access the desktop version, which gives a user more features to access.  Even though you may have switched to using the desktop version, the document continues to be saved online in the One Drive account... a very useful ability.

      I find that Office Online is very comparable to the Google Drive in terms of the collaborative aspect, as well as the online accessing feature.  The connection between Office Online and the desktop version, is an extremely useful tool for added program features, which is one aspect that Google Drive does not have.  However, I still find Google Drive useful, due to its connection to multiple applications accessible within the Google Network.  Office Online only provides connections to email, calendar, and contact information.  For a user to determine which would be more useful, it would mostly lie in the needs of the user, access to more program features (Office Online), or access to other social networking applications (Google Drive).

Educational Resources for Parents to help their Children - Letter to Parents

Dear Parents/Guardians,

      Did you know, that there a number of resources, tools, and websites that you can access throughout the year to help your child with their studies, and their understanding of new concepts and ideas?  The ministry as well as the Halton District School Board offers several links that you can access, to help your child in the development of their language, math, and other curriculum strands.  Below, I've listed a few that you can use to support your child's educational experience.

At the Ministry level:

Ontario Ministry of Education - Resources to Help Your Child
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/howcanihelp.html

     This website, sponsored by the Ministry of Ontario, provides a variety of links that you can start with, when attempting to gain additional resources for your child.  It provides a variety of links, e-resources, publications and websites that you can access to support your child's learning.  At the start of the school year, I would recommending visiting this site first, and then visiting some of the links to see what they have to offer for your child.

The Ontario Federation of Teaching Parents

http://ontariohomeschool.org/internetresources.shtml

      This website, sponsored by the Federation of Teaching parents, provides links to all strands of the curriculum.  The site is organized according to strand, and then provides links to a variety of websites that features information and online games for kids.  A great site to visit when reinforcing new concepts at home, and useful for tutors as well as home schooling instructors alike.  

The Ontario Association for Mathematics Education

http://www.oame.on.ca/main/index1.php?lang=en&code=links

      Mathematics has always been a struggling area for many students in our schools.  Problem solving continues to be a focus within the board, attempting to give students the strategies and tools they need to successfully solve word problems.  This website, sponsored by the Association for Mathematics Education, supplies numerous links for parents and students to access, for additional support in math.  Many of the sites feature math games that will keep the students motivated, and will help them with skill development, and word problem strategies.

Education Equality and Accountability Office
http://www.eqao.com/Parents/Elementary/036/036.aspx?Lang=E&gr=036

      The EQAO website provides lots of information for students in grades 3 and 6 to prepare for the provincial testing that awaits them near the end of the year.  The site provides links to previous year's tests, so teachers and parents can access the type of questions that students will see when it is time to take the test. Also, the website provides scoring guides and leveled answers, so students can understand the differences between a level 1 answer, and a level 4 answer.

At the Board Level:

Elementary Internet Tools
http://www.hdsb.ca/library/pages/elementaryinternettools.asp

        The Elementary Internet Tools is a link sponsored by the Halton District School Board, that provides access to a variety of websites, databases, and publications that students and parents can access to support learning.  Students can access their own school's library resources, their school's website, a large variety of databases, audio, video, eBooks, online atlases, maps and images, online encyclopedias, and much more. This website provides numerous links organized by grade level, across all strands of the curriculum.  It's a great place to start, when completing research or looking for games and activities to support learning.

      Any of these websites can assist your child within their studies.  Have fun exploring each of these sites, and if you have any questions regarding them, feel free to contact me at the school.

Lesson Plan - Creating a Biography Using Glogster

Lesson Plan: 

Create a Biography on a Famous Canadian Using Glogster

OVERVIEW

In this lesson, students review the life and times of a famous Canadian.  They will identify and share the life and contributions to Canadian society by creating unique glogs, which are interactive multimedia posters, through Glogster EDU. This activity offers an alternative to the traditional written report as well as an opportunity for students to share their glogs with their classmates.

RESOURCES

• Glogster EDU: Students' glogs will be created on this website.
• Glogster How To Videos : Students can access this video to learn about glogster features
• Greatest Canadian List : A link to help students choose a Canadian to research

CURRICULUM EXPECTATIONS COVERED

LANGUAGE

-gather information to support ideas for writing, using a variety of strategies and a range of print and electronic resources

-produce a variety of media texts for specific purposes and audiences, using appropriate forms, conventions, and techniques

SOCIAL STUDIES

-gather and organize information from a variety of primary and secondary sources using various technologies

MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY

·         Computers and devices with Internet capabilities

·         LCD projector and/or interactive whiteboard

STUDENT OBJECTIVES

 Students will:

·          - research a notable Canadian.

·         - analyze his/her life and contribution to Canadian society.

·         - communicate literary terms in visual and written form by producing a glog.

·         - celebrate writing by sharing their glogs with their classmates.

INTRODUCING THE PROJECT

1.      The instructor will show a sample glog and provide an overview of its features.

2.      The rubric will be reviewed and students will grade the sample glog as a class. Discussions of how the hyperlinks, pictures, and videos help to understand the content and information more effectively will take place

3.      Each student will be provided with a virtual copy of the Glogster User Instruction sheet.

4.      Students will  be assigned to complete the Research Handout, and complete research over the next few periods.

CREATING THE GLOG

1.      The students research will be checked for completion.

2.      Each step will be modelled for creating a glog using the Glogster User Instructions.

3.      Each student will be provided with his/her username and password.  When the student signs in for the first time, the student will be asked to type in his/her name.  Students will be instructed to do so because the teacher will be able to see on the dashboard the students by name and username.

4.      Students will have time to work on their glogs.  While students work, the teacher will work with students individually on some or all of the following.

o    Check on the accuracy of their research.

o    Question students about which sources and quotes they have selected for their research

o    Students will be asked what hyperlinks they have selected and why their links are good, credible websites.

o    Students will also be asked how the sounds, images, and videos they have chosen relate to their biography choice and make the glogs truly reflect their Canadian.

5.      Students will be encouraged to work on their glogs from any computer (home or public library, for example) since this is an Internet-based program.

STUDENT ASSESSMENT/REFLECTIONS

·         During each session, each student will be observed and noted the time on task as this is one of the categories on the rubric.  Using the Glogster rubric, each student’s completed glog will be evaluated and feedback will be provided to the students on their glogs.

·         The students will present their glogs to the class.  Questions will be asked of the students about their choices of quotes, pictures, videos, and sounds, and how they effectively show the essence of their Canadian.

2.3 Assessment - Jing

www.techsmith.com/jing.html

      Jing is an application that allows the user to capture screenshots of their computer screen.  This E-Learning Tool gives users the ability to create a screencast, of images and/or videos to create presentations, share learning, and even just monitor progress within other applications.  A user can save an image, or create a video of the computer screen, then share it easily through email, blog posts, twitter, and other forms of social media.  All screen shots are easily saved, and the program provides tutorials and tech support for users who may have questions about the features of the program.

     Jing can be a very useful tool for differentiated and ongoing assessment.  Educators can use the program itself to have their students create a variety of presentations, How to videos, and visual documents that teachers can use to assess learning across numerous subject areas.  Likewise, Jing can be used in combination with other applications for students to share their learning and the steps involved when completing a project or presentation.  Educators can use Jing to monitor student work, such as taking screenshots of their writing to monitor their progress and development. Screenshots can be taken to create interactive posters that display student work, and then shared with parents to show ongoing progress within the classroom.

     Jing is very easy to use and has numerous capabilities, because it can be used both on its own, and with other software, to display a wide variety of student learning and understanding.

Blended Learning Tools - Pros and Cons

     To access an early post on three Blended learning tools for the primary, junior, and intermediate grades, you can access the archives and search for the title "Blended Learning".

     Many classes are making the move to blended learning, a teaching philosophy that encompasses aspects of both online learning, and traditional in-class based lessons and lectures.  To make the move to a blended learning environment, an educator needs the right tools and applications to facilitate this transition.  Three tools that I will be reviewing include Edu 2.0, Wiggio, and Padlet.



      Edu 2.0 is a free course management system for classrooms and schools to use for an online educational experience.  It contains a user interface that is easy to navigate, and can be accessed by computer and smart devices alike.  Edu 2.0 has lots of features, including social networking capabilities, curriculum development, a gradebook, and online quizzes to build, create, and administer.  It is cloud hosted, so there is no need to save information on a personal device, and includes third party software integration.  

      The drawbacks to Edu 2.0 include a loss of extended features after the initial 30 day use is up.  To retain the extended features, a user needs to pay to upgrade to the premium addition.  Also, Edu 2.0 is limited only to school use, leaving tutors and tutoring companies unable to utilize this system.  Lastly, while the user interface is relatively easy to use, it is still not designed for primary grade level use.



     Wiggio is a collaborative toolkit application designed to allow users to share information and documents among groups and group members.  It is easy to use and easy to share and manage files when working in collaborative situations.  A user can set up a group calendar, post links, conduct conference calls, and send mass text messages to other users.  Educators can use Wiggio to create a class group that contains contact information for student families.  This allows the teacher to share documents, resources, and videos with families, and keep parents in the know, about what is going on in the class room.

     The drawbacks of Wiggio include slow load times, and limited feature use.  It does not have the same amount of features when compared to other collaborative tool apps, nor does it have the same knowledge base compared to others. 



      Padlet is a fun application that in essence is a virtual bulletin board.  A user can use this program to create a bulletin board to post sticky notes, ideas, and questions for students to ponder and respond to.  Users also have the ability to post images, links, videos, and more.  Padlet is easy to use and can be accessed on both a computer and a smart device.

      The drawbacks of Padlet focus mainly on the size of the posts.  A user can only post a message with no more than 160 characters, so longer in-depth responses are not possible.  Furthermore, each post does not reflect the source, meaning all posts are anonomyse.  Students will have to sign or initial each post to receive the proper credit.

To access each Blended learning app, you can click on the links below.

https://www.edu20.org/
http://wiggio.com/
http://padlet.com/

Fair Trade Podcast Commercials - 2.1, Higher Order Thinking Skills

     In my search and exploration for ways to use technology meaningfully in the classroom, I continue to go back to one tool that is excellent for the sharing of ideas, knowledge, and creative thinking on the internet... the podcast.  I have several friends that listen to podcasts weekly, from topics that range from a variety of sports and news, to technology and gaming.  I even have a few friends who create their own podcast discussing various topics in pop culture.  A personal friend of mine and I use to do our own podcast on blogtalkradio.com every Sunday evening called "The Sports Beatdown".  A few of our segments have reached over a 1000 downloads since they went up, including "The Fall of Professional Sports in Toronto" and a one to one to one interview with former MMA competitor and Hamilton legend Jeff Joslin.

     With the help of my online course, I've been having my students use soundcloud.com to create their own podcasts and share their learning in the classroom.  One recent task I had my students complete, was a short podcast commercial advertising the benefits of Fair Trade purchasing practices.  My students recently read an article about how buying products that have been stamped with the Fair Trade Logo help farmers in other countries make a decent wage of living.

A lot of these farmers are exploited, receiving very little wage for their crop.  They are forced to work long hours, have family assist in the harvesting of their crop, and have very little money to support their family.  Many are forced to have their children help on the farm, rather than go to school.  They have little money for shelter, food, clothing, and medicine.  Fair Trade was created by a number of companies to ensure that these farmers make a decent wage and aren't forced to have their children work on the farm, so they can go to school and receive a decent education.







    This activity ties in well with social studies curriculum strand  B2.1:       
formulate questions to guide investigations into global issues of political, social, economic, and/or environmental importance (e.g., child labour, dwindling oil supplies, ownership of and access to fresh water, climate change, food shortages, refugees, or natural disasters), their impact on the global community, and responses to the issues

   The creation of the podcast commercial demonstrates successful achievement within the Ontario Curriculum Achievement chart across all four levels of knowledge and understanding.

Knowledge -       demonstrates thorough knowledge and understanding when responding to Fair Trade  Promotion and how it effects global communities

Thinking -            uses planning and processing skills in the creation of a podcast promoting Fair Trade

Communication - communicates for different audiences, using correct terminology related to the benefits of  Fair Trade on farmers and their families, avoiding the use of child labour

Application -       transfers knowledge and makes connections to how our purchasing practices can have  positive benefits on others globally

To listen to some of the podcast commercials on Sound Cloud, you can search under the hashtag #HGFairTrade.  

Response to the "Principal of Change" on Technology and Engagement

     "The Principal of Change" is a blog written by georgecouros@gmail.com, a division principal for Parkland School Division in the province of Alberta.  He is also a consultant on teaching and innovation, who created a series of blog posts that address and challenge several myths related to the concepts of teaching and technology.  In one of his recent posts, he discussed the myth that technology is always a strong means of engagement for students.  He begins by posting this image:



Courtesy: http://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/4508

   He argues that technology begins as a "novelty" for students, who are exploring a new program or website for the first time.  Yet, when presented with a task to complete while using this new application, this does not always lead to "engagement" for the student.  Furthermore, he argues that engagement should not be the ultimate goal for students, as it is merely a state of action in which you "do this because you are excited".   He asserts that "empowerment" should be the ultimate goal for our students, as it is a state of action in which you "do this because you have the power to do something meaningful for yourself". This will lead to a type of "flow" in which "a person performing an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity"

     While I agree with George's arguments that the mere use of technology does not always lead to a state of engagement, I am not quite as convinced as the state of empowerment is the more desirable goal for our students to aspire to.  We need to remember that technology is a medium, a means of communicating our ideas, thoughts, and experiences.  While this medium can lead to engagement and even empowerment, it doesn't address the purpose of technology use, that being the means to complete a task.

    One case in point, recently I began completing a series of literature circles within my grade 6 classroom.  The students were put into groups based on the type of non-fiction genre they were interested in reading about and exploring (e.g., Magazines, Newspapers, Travel Books, etc.).  To complete the different activities within each weekly circle, each group created a website on weebly.com to create their own blog pages.  Each member was asked to pick a reading each week (they can pick their own articles, or read the same one), blog about what they read, and complete a short activity for that week.  Then each student is asked to comment on each other's blogs.

     As the task was first introduced, the novelty was extremely high for the students to create these websites.  Then, as each class continued, the students demonstrated their engagement when interacting with the functions of the website.  As language periods continued on, they were coming to me less for website tech support, and were able to focus on how to do things more on their own, demonstrating a strong sense of empowerment on their own behalf.

     However, as the classes continued and the activities for each reading and blog post became due, it was very obvious that a few students were not completing the article reading and posting, but rather adding pictures and links to their website and blog page.  While this can be a positive in terms of their technological abilities and can even tie in to some curriculum expectations, these students needed to be redirected towards the purpose of the blog creation, to analyse and discuss elements of non-fiction readings.  I admit, I can see how easy it is to get caught up in the lore of the abilities of technology, but that just demonstrates the importance of the role of a teacher as facilitator.  

      Empowerment with technology can have several positive effects on our students, but empowerment alone is not enough for student development.  They must always be aware of the purpose for the use of technology as a medium, and that needs to be accomplished with the direction of a facilitator... a teacher.

District/Board Policies - Digital Citizenship

   It's a fact, that our society is communicating more through the internet and through a variety of forms of social media.  As such, we have created a new type of community, an online community.  This online community needs to be addressed, both within social circles and with the classroom.  As such, a new type of digital citizenship has been established, so users of the internet can navigate it freely and safely, without impinging on the rights and freedoms of another individual.

     Digital Citizenship is a concept which helps us to understand what students/children/technology users should know in order to use technology safely and appropriately.  It is a way to prepare students and technology users for an online society, by establishing norms for appropriate and responsible technology use.  With more students bringing their own devices to school, it is important to teach young learners how one should act appropriately when online, and what to watch out for. 

     Digitalcitizenship.net outlines nine elements that comprise this new digital citizenship.  They include:

1) Digital Access - The ideal that the internet will eventually have full society participation

2) Digital Etiquette - A code of conduct for responsible internet use

3) Digital Law - Teaching technology users to navigate the internet responsibly

4) Digital Commerce - The ability for people to buy and sell goods and services online.

5) Digital Communication - The ability for people to communicate ideas and information freely

6) Digital Literacy - Enabling technology users to be taught and to learn how to use the internet

7) Digital Rights and Freedoms - To protect a user's right to navigate the internet responsibly

8) Digital Health and Wellness - Promoting internet use without the risk of harm or abuse

9) Digital Security - Self-Protection against harmful threats

     The ultimate goal of internet and social media use is full participation with minimal risk.  Commonsensemedia.org provides tips to teens, parents, and teachers on how to navigate social media safely and responsibly. 

Digital Citizenship Tips for Teens

For teens, we offer five simple rules of digital citizenship to help them create a world they can be proud of -- and inspire others to do the same.

Think before you post or text -- a bad reputation could be just a click away

What goes around comes around. If you want your privacy respected, respect others' privacy. Posting an embarrassing photo or forwarding a friend’s private text without asking can cause unintended hurt or damage to others.

Spread heart, not hurt. If you wouldn’t say it in person, don’t say it online. Stand up for those who are bullied or harassed, and let them know that you’re there for them.

Give and get credit. We’re all proud of what we create. Illegal downloading, digital cheating, and cutting and pasting other people’s stuff may be easy, but that doesn’t make it right. You have the responsibility to respect other people’s creative work -- and the right to have your own work respected.

Make this a world you want to live in. Spread the good stuff. Create, share, tag, comment, and contribute to the online world in positive ways.

Digital Citizenship Tips for Parents and Teachers

The Internet’s not written in pencil. It’s written in pen. What teens do online spreads fast and lasts long. Remind them to think before they post.

Nothing is as private as they think. Anything teens say or do can be copied, pasted, and sent to gazillions of people in a heartbeat. Make sure kids use privacy settings and that they understand that the best way to protect their secrets is not to post personal stuff.

Kindness counts. The anonymity of the digital world can lead kids to say and do things online that they wouldn’t in person. Encourage them to communicate kindly, stand up for others, and build positive online relationships rooted in respect.

Digital cheating is still cheating. Right and wrong extend to online and mobile life. Impart your values, and tell kids not to plagiarize, download illegally, or use technology to cheat in school.

Embrace their world. None of us wants technology to isolate us from our kids. Do some homework, and ask kids to share the sites they visit, the songs they download, the gadgets they love. It’s up to us to join the fun and help them seize the potential.

For a printable poster on the Do's and Don'ts of online conduct, here is a link to follow:
 http://www.edudemic.com/10-digital-citizenship-tips-from-your-mother/