Exercise 4and 5: Screencast and YouTube Channel

Screen Cast: I made a screen cast about a homework assignment I give kids to practice their sounds. It was fairly easy to do this activity. Next time I need to remember to hide the recorder, and select the area I want viewed. I could see using this as another tool to have kids create recordings so they can hear themselves. Also, I could see emailing it home for parents to hear. YouTube Channel: This was a breeze to create. I don't quite know how I would use this, but it could be useful to collect interesting videos that I want to use at a later time. If I did that I probably would not keep the channel public.

Exercise 3: Digital Storytelling

I decided to use Storybird, at the recommendation of a Tech Boot Camp graduate.  Last week I needed to write a social story for a student who has autism.  He has been having a lot of difficulty with accepting that homework is a part of school, getting started on assignments, and understanding that he is smart enough to complete the assignments.  I liked this medium, it was a fun change of pace from using Boardmaker Software.  Also, I can work on it from any computer.  With Boardmaker I have to have the disk, and the computer I'm working on also needs to have the software installed on it.  I'm going to share it with him tomorrow, so I'm excited to see what he thinks of it.  The only thing I didn't like about Story Bird was the limited amount of pictures that were available to use.  I also didn't like that if you want a printed copy of the story you created you need to purchase the digital copy for $1.99

Homework Blues by brianne3833 on Storybird

Exercise 2: Pimp my presentation

I decided to make a presentation that focused on some basic information about stuttering that is tailored to a middle school level.  I found a really interesting video about a 12 year old rapper with a severe stutter.  It was interesting to hear about how he deals with stuttering.  I have a 7th grade male student this year who stutters and loves to rap.  One of his favorite classes is choir.  I think it has to do with the fact that he can sing without stuttering.  When we were figuring out the schedule for the year his only request was that I not pull him from choir.  I bet most of you didn't know that our vice president was a person who used to stutter.  Check out his interview, while on The View, when he discusses what it was like for him to stutter.

Stuttering 101 on Prezi

Exercise 1: Blog Bling

I wanted to find a video that explained what an SLP does, and discusses our scope of practice.  This man from New Zealand was the closest I could find too that goal.  I don't know that I would use this with students, but could be useful for an in service some day.

First Blog Post

I had aspirations of completing the summer boot camp, but after missing the first session, my computer crashing early in the summer, it just didn't happen.  So, I'm giving it another go.  I was motivated to join this staff development for a few reasons.  First, I want to find some different ways to help my students who are working on improving their articulation or fluency to report on work they are doing outside of our meetings.  Also, I want to find some creative ways to target expressive and receptive language skills.  On a scale of 1-10 I would rate my comfort level at a 5.  I don't have access to a LCD projector in my room so I'm at the mercy of what other teachers have in the rooms.  The only technology I feel like I'm currently using is SMART Notebook.  I also use some apps on an Ipod.  Soon, I will have access to an Ipad, and am hoping that I will be able to use some of these tools with that technology.