This article does a very good job at outlining for teachers the correct steps to take when planning for Literacy Development in the classroom. According to the authors, the first step should be conducting assessment of the student's literacy and language skills. This is a critical step in guiding your planning and teaching. It is important not to simply identify the needs but also the strengths of each student. According to the authors, there are five pillars of reading that should be taken into consideration when we are planning our literacy intervention for our students. These include phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. Also important are expressive and receptive language skills which are the base of all academic learning. Palmquist and Prenevost believe that we must address all five pillars of reading with every student, even those with disabilities in certain areas.
According to the article, once the initial assessment is complete we must then match students with the right assistive technology tools and support. This is a crucial step to help the learner become independent and self sufficient. Taking the time to determine how each student will access the materials for learning and figuring out what level of support is needed must be an important factor. Support should not be too much or too little for each student because this can result in little or no growth. We should often ask ourselves, what accomodations or modifications will our students need to become the most successful?
Palmquist and Prenevost do a wonderful job in the article describing some tools and strategies that could be used with a wide range of learners including our struggling students.
These strategies include :
1. Visualizing & Verbalizing
2. Thinking Reading
3. Vocabulary
4. Comprehension & Retelling
Overall, I found this article very interesting and easy to read. It outlined some very practical strategies and tools that could be used in any classroom at any time. The CAR tool method is something that I can see myself using in my own classroom during shared reading time. 👍
Friday, April 3, 2020
My Three Main Takeaways From Class # 1
1. "Myth of Average" Video (3 Main Takeaways)
I really enjoyed this video! It was very insightful and thought provoking. I believe all teachers should take the time to watch it! 😊
In this video, the presenter Todd Rose compares today's education system with the US Airforce cockpit problem of 1952. He explains that at one time they would design the cockpits for fighter planes with the average size person in mind. They had good pilots and better planes but were getting bad results. Finally, they realized that no pilots suited the cockpits perfectly. Every single pilot was different in some way. With that in mind they decided to ban the average and instead design cockpits with adjustable seats that would suit more people. This expanded the pilot pool tremendously. Many more people could now become pilots and the airforce became more successful.
The airforce has given our education system the formula for success "ban the average".
This video really made me reflect on my own teaching and our education system today.
My 3 main takeaways from the video are:
1. In today’s classrooms, we have made some strides toward teaching the individual student but for the most part we still expect all students to learn and grow in the same way. We use the same curriculum and outcomes to decide whether or not a student will succeed or fail. We follow a one size fits all mentality. Just like in the airforce analogy that is presented in the video. We need to realize that all students have a "jagged profile" meaning every student is unique with their own set of strengths and needs in different areas. They vary in many dimensions of learning. As teachers it is our duty to provide "adjustable seats" - the necessary resources and flexible learning environments that nurture the potential of EVERY student.
2. Average hurts everyone even our best and brightest. In the video it states that 4% of all dropouts are gifted. We have created learning environments that are designed for the average so even talents become a liability. Weaknesses often make it hard to see talents students have in certain areas. Students are not given any choices or ownership over their learning. There is no flexibility in what we teach because the pressure is often on the teacher to cover specific outcomes already decided by outside influences. So we are losing some of our most talented people in society!
3. Technology has changed and improved but we have not changed and improved with it! Today, more than ever, we as teachers have technology at our finger tips ie, smartboards, ipads, iphones, google, etc. Even simple solutions can have a profound impact on a student. Technology does not have to be expensive ie, free apps, games, etc. I believe many teachers are lacking training in some of these areas to improve confidence at implementing certain technologies in their classroom. It would be nice to see more professional development for teachers in this area.
2. You Can't Turn Your Back on Assistive Technology Presentation
I thought this presentation was fabulous and a wonderful way to end our first class. Tyler was a true inspiration and a real role model for many. I believe it was very helpful for us to see assistive technology being implemented in someone's life. Watching Tyler's story from the beginning to the present helped me realize just how often assistive technology tools can and should change in a person's life. Each year as Tyler grew and transitioned from one environment to another he required new tools and technology to help him succeed. I loved that he never gave up! His determination and hard work along with the SETT Framework helped him to reach many of his goals in life. It was obvious that Tyler and his teacher Barbara Welsford had a very special and life long friendship. Thank you so much Tyler for answering all of our questions!
Assistive Technology Changes Over Time
YoungerOlder
Critical Elements:
Shared Knowledge
Collaboratiom
Communication
Multiple Perspectives
Pertinent Information
Flexibility and Patience
On-going Processes
3. Online Resources
Showbie - This is a content management system that would be great to use in any classroom. Its a great tool for sharing ideas, work, resources, etc. Students can communicate with each other in a safe environment and have multiple conversations and get quick and easy feedback from the teacher. I can see myself using this online tool in my own classroom in the near future to keep in touch with parents and students. Quicker than email and more secure than texting!
https://www.showbie.com/
Blackboard Classroom - A web conferencing system designed for use in online teaching. I did enjoy using and getting to learn about this resource during our first class but I must admit I still have a lot to learn. I found it easy to log on and use the basic features but when we were divided up into groups I was lost and look forward to figuring this part out. I am also interested in learning how to present using this platform. I often use google classroom with my own class. I find both are very similar! Each week I conduct a meeting on google classroom at a set time to touch base with my students. During this time they can share stories and ask any questions they might have. Wonderful tools to have during a Global Pandemic!
https://www.blackboard.com
Mentimeter - This was a wonderful and easy way to start and end a presentation. It was very user friendly and can be done on any topic in real-time. During class #1 we were able to share our feelings about the class and I loved that it was anonymous! I will definitely use this with my grade 2 class. I'm sure they will be amazed by the colours and shapes that are produced.
https://www.mentimeter.com/
* Wheel of Names- This is so much fun to use with a class! Its a random name picker and quick and easy to set up. I never win anything but in our first class the wheel landed on my name and I was shocked and surprised! I could use this in so many ways with my class (online as well in the classroom)! Instead of picking sticks or raising hands we could spin the wheel! I know my students would love this online tool!
https://wheelofnames.com/
Book Creator - A simple tool for creating and sharing e books. I have spent a lot of time on this site lately. I have taught myself to use it through trial and error. I love the idea of working on a specific topic with a group of people. Our assignment was to make a book on assistive technology terms and then to present our book to the class during our second class! I could see this kind of activity really working in a classroom. I love that the books can be suited to all learning styles and disabilities. They can also be used for different subject areas and topics. Teachers can produce books and share them with their class. A fantastic tool for the classroom!
