Exercise 8: Polling and Data Gathering

Poll Everywhere was very quick and easy to create.  I think it took me a minute to create this poll.  Which is nice, if you need to create something on the fly.  For my purposes, I don't know that I would use it that much. I watched the video first on how to use Google Forms, and it too was very simple to create.  Again, I'm not sure for my purposes how much I would use these tools.  However, you never know, so I'm glad I learned how.  I choose to create a teacher interview form when students are being evaluated for a disability in the area of articulation.  I was trying to think if this would be an appropriate use of this technology.  I feel as though it would be, since how a teacher respond to various forms for evaluation is recorded in the evaluation report, and usually kept in the student's SPED file.  I guess if a teacher is uncomfortable with filling it out online, I can go and talk with them individually.  

Exercise 7: Cloud Computing

For a few of my 7th and 8th grade students that receive special education service, under the disability of ASD, I have decided to try something new and flip their service this year.  Instead of seeing them 1x a week during their social skills hour.   I am now observing them in a general education class 1x a week and then meeting for about 10 minutes to discuss the observation with them.  The hope is to get a better sense of the skills they are or are not using in the general education setting.  That way we can reinforce generalization and target more specific skills that the students need to continue to work on.  So far it has worked really well.  The kids are receptive to discussing the observation, and making small social goals to work on for the next week.  I have access to an Ipad this year, and I am able to take notes on it via the Google Drive App, while I'm in the class.  I like this option a lot, because I can share the notes with the student's case manager, and social skills teacher (if they have someone different).  I wanted to create a better document to share with the students and teachers.  The one thing I have noticed is that if I create a google drive document with tables on the computer, when I go to edit the document on the Ipad it won't let me edit in the table section.  Do you have any suggestions Emily?

Click here to view the form:
Social Skills General Education Observation Form

Exercise 6: Study Tools

The first study tool I choose to use was Spicynodes.  I actually really liked this study tool, and I think it could have many applications.  It was incredibly easy to figure out.  I think it could help students visualize how their ideas need to link together, and where they can add more detail.  It reminds me of an online graphic organizer.  This tool reminded me a lot of Prezi, but much simpler.  Students can still embed videos and still pictures, which I really liked.  I chose to make a brief example of a presentation about my favorite dog.

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.