Using Technology As A Learning Tool Session 6

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

• The Role of Technology for Students with Special
  Needs

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Overview

• Presentations
• A look at software
• Articles 07, 08, 09 a discussion

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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.
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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.
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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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(No Transcript)
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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

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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/writin
g/1/inspirat/merge.shtml
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E-mail

• Keypals - example www.cbemail.ca
• student to student
• teacher to teacher using attachments
• Something they could do beforebut with faster
  results!

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How Can Computer Software Benefit Teachers

• Brainstorm

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How Can Computer Software Benefit the Students?

• enrichment / enhancement
• remediation
• tutorial
• drill and practice (special needs)
• reward
• communication (writing/speaking)

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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)

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Benefits for students...

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

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Selecting Software

• Decide how the software is to be used
• Develop a baseline for comparison - start a pros
  and cons sheet
• Educational Content - see todays links
• Presentation
• User Friendliness
• Record keeping and management built in
• Student fit

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Software Licensing Agreements

• Single user
• lab pack
• site license
• district license

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System Requirements

• 8 MB (mega-bites)
• 16 MB
• 32 MB
• 64 MB

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Software Search Exercise(20 min.)

• K-6 Teachers
• Link www.superkids.com
• K-12 Teachers
• Link http//www.edmark.com/prod/

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 .
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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."

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Kid Pix Paint Zone
Command Buttons
Backgrounds
Stickers
Animated Stickers
Sounds
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Albertas MandateArticle 07

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

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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.

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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?

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Word Activities

• Examples http//www.acs.ucalgary.ca/dgwhite/math
  andtech.html