OK, so I bribed my child with 2 smiley faces to get her to sing a song for my podcast. Basically, I hate using a microphone or hearing my own voice through speakers.... so 2 smileys (Abby and Beth are earning smileys to get ice cream, we're almost there!).
It took some cajoling, but she finally sang Twinkle Twinkle... first by herself, then with Sam. After that, she really got into it... and sang a song (kind of) that Beth identified as a Hannah Montana song. Too funny! I'd kind of like to let them just go with it and see what they record.... but I have to return the microphone soon.
I think this will get easier as I do it more often, but I'm not really sure it's something I'll do often (between my dislike of microphones and my students lack of verbal output, seems unlikely).
It might be cute to use at home with the girls to have them send messages to family and friends (if we ever get a microphone).
For now -- I officially finished the course! I learned a lot, and I am trying to use at least some of it in my classroom.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Course Reflections
Technically, I'm not done yet. I still have to do my podcasting lesson (but what I need to do it is broken on my computer).
Reflections:
What I Liked...... I liked that it is online, so I can go at my own pace. This is especially helpful since it's summer time and everyone has funky, different schedules. I liked learning about lots of interesting tools to use in the classroom (and in life).
What I Didn't Like..... I think the biggest thing for me is feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the information I have learned about. At the time of each lesson, I could think of ways to use it, but the big question (the essential question) is "Will I be able to find the time to use it in my classroom?" I am still learning about how best to teach the severe/profound population. I am still trying to find the time to incorporate all the ideas I have already to use in my classroom. With 2 of my daughters with me after school each day, it can be hard to actually get any work done after school. I think I'll be using nap time to do a lot. (Here's to hoping that the new kiddos can also rest in a room with some light.) Anyway, enough about why it'll be hard. I think I need a goal... how about try to incorporate something new each month. Just one thing each month. Maybe a gentle nudge, an email, or something about a month or so into school to see how everyone is using what we learned might be helpful.
Reflections:
What I Liked...... I liked that it is online, so I can go at my own pace. This is especially helpful since it's summer time and everyone has funky, different schedules. I liked learning about lots of interesting tools to use in the classroom (and in life).
What I Didn't Like..... I think the biggest thing for me is feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the information I have learned about. At the time of each lesson, I could think of ways to use it, but the big question (the essential question) is "Will I be able to find the time to use it in my classroom?" I am still learning about how best to teach the severe/profound population. I am still trying to find the time to incorporate all the ideas I have already to use in my classroom. With 2 of my daughters with me after school each day, it can be hard to actually get any work done after school. I think I'll be using nap time to do a lot. (Here's to hoping that the new kiddos can also rest in a room with some light.) Anyway, enough about why it'll be hard. I think I need a goal... how about try to incorporate something new each month. Just one thing each month. Maybe a gentle nudge, an email, or something about a month or so into school to see how everyone is using what we learned might be helpful.
PLN
I am going to have to think more on PLN, but for now, here are my thoughts. Throughout this course, I have found many different ways to use technology in the classroom. I think, for me, the biggest way I will be able to use these new tools (well, new to me) is to work with other educators to collaborate on lesson plans and other ideas to use in my classroom. I can also use many of the tools to communicate with the parents.
Back to PLN... I think Wikis will be useful to me. I also like my Google Reader -- although I need more blogs that are related to education and specifically teaching the severe/profound population. I like the idea of Google Docs -- actually, I like the idea of having documents available from any computer with internet access.
Back to PLN... I think Wikis will be useful to me. I also like my Google Reader -- although I need more blogs that are related to education and specifically teaching the severe/profound population. I like the idea of Google Docs -- actually, I like the idea of having documents available from any computer with internet access.
Digital Storytelling
I checked out YouTube and TeacherTube. I found YouTube to be easier to navigate than TeacherTube. I was able to find videos on augmentative communication and one on positioning students using a prone wedge. For fun, I searched how to bake bread, then found others for making pizza dough and honey glazed sweet potatoes. The girls and I watched funny, cute videos about kittens and babies.
In my classroom, I could use digital storytelling to share special activities with parents. The biggest thing to remember with this is confidentiality. I would have to have written permission from all parents to use the kids, and it would be even better if I could password protect the videos. In the classroom, we sometimes use a form of digital storytelling -- Tumblebooks. Tumblebooks seems to me like a version of digital storytelling. I would like to incorporate this more into the classroom -- maybe even make my own from books I have. Something for me to think about and try.
In my classroom, I could use digital storytelling to share special activities with parents. The biggest thing to remember with this is confidentiality. I would have to have written permission from all parents to use the kids, and it would be even better if I could password protect the videos. In the classroom, we sometimes use a form of digital storytelling -- Tumblebooks. Tumblebooks seems to me like a version of digital storytelling. I would like to incorporate this more into the classroom -- maybe even make my own from books I have. Something for me to think about and try.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Google Docs (and a look back at my Google Reader)
OK, I'm still working on how to use Google Docs in school or in life. Right now, many of the other options (Wikis especially) come to mind to use for planning purposes. (Planning parties, planning themed lessons, ...)
As for my Google Reader, I had Michael add a shortcut to it on my desktop at home. I really like that I can click right on it this way. I think I look at it more often because of this. (I wonder if there's an app for it now that I have an iPhone!?!?) Anyway, I have a few blogs on my reader that I enjoy looking at. I have Mary Ruth's food blog, I have the one from a mother who has a daughter with Down Syndrome, and I have the Happiness Project which in theory I'd really like to read but haven't really, and I read Daily Worth.
This is where I found something interesting.... in the post about Offermatic.
I'm interested but leery of it. I'd like to know more before signing up, but it sounds like a great idea ("freak love child of Mint, Groupon and Blippy.")
As for my Google Reader, I had Michael add a shortcut to it on my desktop at home. I really like that I can click right on it this way. I think I look at it more often because of this. (I wonder if there's an app for it now that I have an iPhone!?!?) Anyway, I have a few blogs on my reader that I enjoy looking at. I have Mary Ruth's food blog, I have the one from a mother who has a daughter with Down Syndrome, and I have the Happiness Project which in theory I'd really like to read but haven't really, and I read Daily Worth.
This is where I found something interesting.... in the post about Offermatic.
I'm interested but leery of it. I'd like to know more before signing up, but it sounds like a great idea ("freak love child of Mint, Groupon and Blippy.")
Monday, July 19, 2010
Social Bookmarking
OK, to be honest, when I first saw this, I thought -- oh, so it's bookmarking a page. BUT, I like the idea of being able to bookmark pages for others to see or for me to see from other computers. I can see this being very useful at school. I could find and bookmark lots of helpful sites for parents. My goal: to try and actually accomplish this during the 10-11 school year. Here's what I have for me. I think it would also be helpful to have for ECP teachers to access and use. See what sites others like. I wonder if I could do it like a Wiki where everyone could add theirs instead of everyone having their own sites?
As a side note, I also went into Goodreads. I like it though it's not always user friendly, but I did like it. I was going to add it as a sidebar/widget to my other blog, but I can't figure out how. I'm also afraid it could become just one more thing I need to do.... we'll see.
As a side note, I also went into Goodreads. I like it though it's not always user friendly, but I did like it. I was going to add it as a sidebar/widget to my other blog, but I can't figure out how. I'm also afraid it could become just one more thing I need to do.... we'll see.
PodCasting
OK, I have put off podcasting because I have NO desire to have my voice or face up on a video. I finally sat down to do it, and I can't. I have to get Michael to look at it -- my computer says there is no microphone (well, essentially it is saying that).
I looked at some of the podcasts. I think it's a neat idea, although I don't think I would use it in my classroom (at least not to make them). I do like the stories (Storynory) and may use this at home or school.
I think I'll move onto social bookmarking and come back to podcasting later.
I looked at some of the podcasts. I think it's a neat idea, although I don't think I would use it in my classroom (at least not to make them). I do like the stories (Storynory) and may use this at home or school.
I think I'll move onto social bookmarking and come back to podcasting later.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
PhotoSharing with Slide.com
I love taking and sharing pictures. I had never heard of slide.com before. I think slide.com would be a great way to share pictures with parents. Because of confidentiality, I will have to get permission from everyone to share the pictures. It would be fun to make short slide shows of special activities we do and share it with the parents. I did notice something about having to be invited to see the pictures. I think this will be a necessary step to use it at school. Here's my first try.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Wiki
I have to admit, just thinking about Wikis had me a bit intimidated. Because of this, it took me awhile to sit down and start the assignment. BUT, once I saw the cheesy how to video (I like the cheesy how to videos), I was no longer intimidated.
I searched some additional wikis. What I am finding so far is that there seems to be a lot out there, but I am having trouble finding special ed related wikis (and blogs) that focus more of the severe/profound and early childhood side of special ed. With blogs, I finally found some interesting ones by parents. With wikis, I really haven't found any yet. (Actually, I found one, but you have to have a user name and password to get in. It looks to be for a specific school district.
The big question.... how will I use a wiki in my classroom? The answer I think is to use it to collaborate with other special ed teachers. I'm thinking something along the lines of Perpetual Preschool. I'm thinking of using it as a way to share lesson plan ideas, classroom and equipment modifications, etc. with other teachers. Maybe have a main page with the different topics or months on it with links for each topic. With a wiki, teachers could go to the linked pages and add their ideas. It could be really cool if I can get enough people interested.
I'm also trying to think of ways to use a wiki in the classroom with the parents. A blog might be nice to share class news, but I'm still working on wiki ideas (maybe a good way to plan our class parties -- who can bring what).
Enough for now, off to the sandbox I go :)
I searched some additional wikis. What I am finding so far is that there seems to be a lot out there, but I am having trouble finding special ed related wikis (and blogs) that focus more of the severe/profound and early childhood side of special ed. With blogs, I finally found some interesting ones by parents. With wikis, I really haven't found any yet. (Actually, I found one, but you have to have a user name and password to get in. It looks to be for a specific school district.
The big question.... how will I use a wiki in my classroom? The answer I think is to use it to collaborate with other special ed teachers. I'm thinking something along the lines of Perpetual Preschool. I'm thinking of using it as a way to share lesson plan ideas, classroom and equipment modifications, etc. with other teachers. Maybe have a main page with the different topics or months on it with links for each topic. With a wiki, teachers could go to the linked pages and add their ideas. It could be really cool if I can get enough people interested.
I'm also trying to think of ways to use a wiki in the classroom with the parents. A blog might be nice to share class news, but I'm still working on wiki ideas (maybe a good way to plan our class parties -- who can bring what).
Enough for now, off to the sandbox I go :)
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
RSS Feeds & Ethical Issues
I continue to be drawn not to the educational blogs but to the parent blogs. I am drawn to their stories and not the educational nature of some blogs. With that in mind.............
OK, so technically I did not find this in my feed but in trying to find things to add to my feed. I found some interesting blogs by parents of kiddos with special needs. By looking at the sides of their blogs, I was able to find other interesting blogs. Anyway, though this I learned something new.... "pillow angel" is a term used to describe children with severe disabilities. Seems like a pretty accurate term to me. BUT, the real question is raised by the original place I found this term - in an item about a girl named Ashley. Ashley has severe disabilities and who functions as a 6 month old. You can read about her story here. Her story raises some interesting questions... certainly some ethical ones. Should a parent be able to make such great medical decisions for their child? I think that the answer ultimately comes from the parents motives. Are they making the decision out of love for their child? Will the treatment ultimately help or hurt the child? So many people fear that once the possibility is out there that it will be abused. I can understand this position, but I can also understand the position of the parent. (Well, I can understand it as much as anyone not in their position can understand it.)
OK, so technically I did not find this in my feed but in trying to find things to add to my feed. I found some interesting blogs by parents of kiddos with special needs. By looking at the sides of their blogs, I was able to find other interesting blogs. Anyway, though this I learned something new.... "pillow angel" is a term used to describe children with severe disabilities. Seems like a pretty accurate term to me. BUT, the real question is raised by the original place I found this term - in an item about a girl named Ashley. Ashley has severe disabilities and who functions as a 6 month old. You can read about her story here. Her story raises some interesting questions... certainly some ethical ones. Should a parent be able to make such great medical decisions for their child? I think that the answer ultimately comes from the parents motives. Are they making the decision out of love for their child? Will the treatment ultimately help or hurt the child? So many people fear that once the possibility is out there that it will be abused. I can understand this position, but I can also understand the position of the parent. (Well, I can understand it as much as anyone not in their position can understand it.)
Monday, June 21, 2010
Classroom Use
Guess I should have read the assignment first :)
How can I use the blogs in the classroom? I think more as a lesson planning tool and idea generator for me. I don't see my kiddos writing blogs, and with confidentiality, I won't be posting their pictures either. I would like to maybe continue a blog about lessons I've done, modifications I've made, and other things that have worked for me. Hopefully, I can find others with the same information. I already use the internet to search for art projects and cooking activities. Perpetual Preschool is a favorite of mine. It's a great place to find classroom activities for specific themes -- each one has ideas that are sent in by teachers and parents. I've used this for YEARS. Kind of a pre-blog site.
I think blogs can also help you get a parent's perspective on things (if you can find the blogs by parents).
Anyway, that's all for now. At least I'm back online for the rest of the summer.
How can I use the blogs in the classroom? I think more as a lesson planning tool and idea generator for me. I don't see my kiddos writing blogs, and with confidentiality, I won't be posting their pictures either. I would like to maybe continue a blog about lessons I've done, modifications I've made, and other things that have worked for me. Hopefully, I can find others with the same information. I already use the internet to search for art projects and cooking activities. Perpetual Preschool is a favorite of mine. It's a great place to find classroom activities for specific themes -- each one has ideas that are sent in by teachers and parents. I've used this for YEARS. Kind of a pre-blog site.
I think blogs can also help you get a parent's perspective on things (if you can find the blogs by parents).
Anyway, that's all for now. At least I'm back online for the rest of the summer.
Special Ed Blogs
OK, so I'm finally looking through the special ed blogs. What I'm finding is that my attention span is short right now. If the blog doesn't catch my interest quickly, I move on.
I did like http://www.sillyeaglebooks.com/. This one is by a Mom and features children's books she's read and liked. She also includes activities to go with them.
Also, one blog (http://teachinglearnerswithmultipleneeds.blogspot.com/) had an entry about iPhone apps to use in the classroom. Very interesting, but I don't have an iPhone yet. Love the entry 60 Things to do with a Switch. Some good ideas to try next year with the kiddos. I like using it to drive a remote control car through paint to paint on paper or to get the car to knock over block towers.
I found this list of blogs on early childhood health. It still is not what I'm looking for, but it does have some interesting links to early childhood blogs (not necessarily special ed though).
I think my best bet is to search blogs by specific disabilities - ex. cerebral palsy blogs. I seem to be able to find more, and relate more to the blogs here. I am drawn to the parent blogs. Here's one I liked because her day sounded somewhat like mine. Cerebral Palsy baby
I would love to find some blogs about early childhood special education -- especially the severe/profound population. I'll have to keep searching.
I did like http://www.sillyeaglebooks.com/. This one is by a Mom and features children's books she's read and liked. She also includes activities to go with them.
Also, one blog (http://teachinglearnerswithmultipleneeds.blogspot.com/) had an entry about iPhone apps to use in the classroom. Very interesting, but I don't have an iPhone yet. Love the entry 60 Things to do with a Switch. Some good ideas to try next year with the kiddos. I like using it to drive a remote control car through paint to paint on paper or to get the car to knock over block towers.
I found this list of blogs on early childhood health. It still is not what I'm looking for, but it does have some interesting links to early childhood blogs (not necessarily special ed though).
I think my best bet is to search blogs by specific disabilities - ex. cerebral palsy blogs. I seem to be able to find more, and relate more to the blogs here. I am drawn to the parent blogs. Here's one I liked because her day sounded somewhat like mine. Cerebral Palsy baby
I would love to find some blogs about early childhood special education -- especially the severe/profound population. I'll have to keep searching.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Almost Assignment 2E
OK, I started looking through the blogs Kathy listed this morning in between chasing kiddos around. telling them not to get the chalk wet (oh my, what a BIG mess this makes.. if I figure out how I'll post a picture from this adventure), getting drinks and snacks, fixing lunch, filling the water table, etc. etc. etc.
So, they looked neat, but I had trouble really looking because they didn't seem to relevant to me and my classroom. Sooooo, I googled special ed blogs and found the list of the top 50 special ed blogs. (http://www.onlineuniversities.com/blog/2009/12/50-best-blogs-for-special-ed-teachers/) Have I looked at them yet, nope. Had to fix lunch, get Sam down for a nap, get the other girls settled with something to do, calm Sam when she woke up crying (wish I knew what this fun new trend is about. Thankfully, it's not every day!), get another snack for the girls, help girls clean up outside, etc. etc. etc. (You other Mommies know what I mean.)
I hope to look at them soon - when I can find some Wi-Fi in NY (where we're headed tomorrow for a week.. I'm getting all our vacations out of the way in the first 3 weeks of summer). When I do, I will post my thoughts and reflections on them.
Thoughts on Web 2.0 in the ECP Classroom
My big question: how do I use Web 2.0 in the classroom when the students function at an infant or toddler level? So far, the only answers I have is to use it with the parents as a communication tool or to use it as a forum to share information with other special ed teachers. Finally, where do I find the time to set all this up for my classroom? Hopefully this class will help me find easy, fairly quick ways to do so. And, hopefully, once it's set up, the time to keep it up will be manageable.
When I think of technology for my classroom, I think of low tech (picture exchange) and high tech (communication devices like the Big Mac, Step by Step, or Tech Talk 8). We use these to work on communication skills. Then there are switches I can hook up to electric devices so the kids can make them work (ex. blenders). We even have a pouring switch the kids can use to help pour things into a bowl (makes cooking less germy during cold season too).
When I think of technology for my classroom, I think of low tech (picture exchange) and high tech (communication devices like the Big Mac, Step by Step, or Tech Talk 8). We use these to work on communication skills. Then there are switches I can hook up to electric devices so the kids can make them work (ex. blenders). We even have a pouring switch the kids can use to help pour things into a bowl (makes cooking less germy during cold season too).
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