Exploring
Exploring the "app world" can be a daunting task. It seems that there is a never ending stream of apps that may or may not be applicable for you teaching or your students' learning. I often think teacher shy away from the exploration of technology to enhance their class because of the time consumption it takes to sift through the countless apps and then evaluate the ones that would best facilitate your teaching and your students' learning.
Today's Class
Today as a collective group we explored valuable educational apps that could help elevate our teaching and help students achieve their goals. The hands-on exploration is the best way to learn how valuable and app/technology can be when critical examined for it's purpose to facilitate learning in the class.
While there were some apps/technology that I was familiar with, many were new. The presentations by groups allowed for a better understanding of how the use of the app/technology as well as familiarizing us with terminology.
My Exploration/Reflection
I was apart of a group that used iMovie to explore and define the SAMR model. I was aware of iMovie but never used it in my teaching practice. The possibilities in which this app allows teacher to enhance the students' learning is tremendous.
In my teaching career I have never taught in the class. I have always has positions in student services (learning support, behaviour support, resource or youth services facilitator) or my current position of early literacy and Reading Recovery teacher. My experience with assistive technology has been to give the student and teacher the tools to achieve an outcome. Assistive technology has been a tool to achieve not to enhance students' learning. I know believe that assistive technology is not only important to be used as a tool to achieve outcomes but to enhance the overall learning experience.
Links for Further Exploration of Apps in Poll
iMovie
Strip Designer
TeleStory
Tellagami
Thanks Nick. Don't forget Assistive Technology enhances performance of individuals with disabilities, whether that is in reading, writing, communicating, mobility...even just seeing and hearing. AT definitely enhances the overall learning experience but even more importantly it is often what provides ACCESS to the learning tasks.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely Barbra! My experience with technology as an educator has primarily been as an assistive tool to help students with disabilities achieve a task. AT used effectively, changes the whole learning and educational experiences into a positive one, where students are successful!
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