Final Report on Personal Learning Network

 My Personal Learning Network consists of pmcclulum@mosspointschool.org, yahoo, Skype, google docs, google hangout, youtube, twitter, gmail, and blogging all found in Symbaloo.

Project #2 Project Learning Network

You Tube, Twitter, gmail, and Blogging are entries to my Personal Learning Network located in Symbaloo.

Blog Post #16 Final Reflection - What Would You Change in Blog Post #1?

What would be the methods of teaching you would emphasize?
I would combine traditional teaching and technology together. I feel it is important to keep handwriting skills in existence. Technology has it’s place in education, but I will have a “no technology zone,” in the classroom.

What tools would you use?
The grades that I will teach is K-3, my tools will be the chalk and chalkboard, computers, Smartboard, iPads, and hopefully the ability to Skype.

What tools would your students use?
I would like my students to use computers, iPads, links to iCurio, links to Discovery Ed, the Smartboard, and Blogging.

Think about the learning in your classroom.
The learning that I can visualize in my classroom is where my students are interested in what they are learning. I let them know that what we are doing in the classroom, your parents will see, when they look in their computers at home. I feel this will be a motivator for my students, to want to do their best because they know others will be looking at what they are doing.

How would I change what I wrote about this subject at the beginning of the semester?

At the start of the semester I was clueless of the changes in the classrooms. The first thing I would change is the picture of the classroom I held in mind of many years ago. I would put the use of computers, Smartboards, iPads, and Blogging in my writing.

Technology has enhanced the teaching profession. The cry of, “We have got to teach differently, to reach our students,” has been answered. Thanks to the adding of technology, education is now more transparent. Parents and communities can see what happens in the classrooms.

I have grown tremendously, since the first Blog on this subject.

Project # 8 Book Trailer

Blog Post # 15 What Assistive Technology Tools Are Available to You As Teacher?

There are a list of assistive technology products located at www.typesofassistivetechnologytools.microsoft.com. A few that I have chosen is Alternative Keys- which features larger-or smaller-than standard keys or keyboards, alternative key configurations, and keyboard for use with one hand. This tool can useful for the student with a birth defect of the hand. A key- board of this kind would make it less complicated for the student to type in assignments.

The Braille embosser-is a tool that transferes generated text into embossed Braille output. Braille translation programs convert text scanned-in or generated via standard word processing programs into Braille, which can be printed on the embosser. This device give the student with vision impairment the opportunity to use the computers.

Reading tools and learning disabilities programs-these tools include software and hardware designs that make text-based material more accessible for people who have difficulty with reading. Options can include scanning, reformatting, navigating,or speaking text out loud. These programs are helpful for those who have difficulty, seeing or manipulating conventional print materials; people who are developing new literacy skills or who are learning English as a foreign language; and people who comprehend better when they hear and see text highlighted simultaneously. These tools are a must have for any teacher. They can make reading assignment more understandable. For some students, using these tools no longer make reading assignments boring.