I am posting this reflection on Sunday because I needed a chance to absorb all the information we have learned over the past five days.I do enjoy the hands on classes because it allows us to have a different perspective from the tutorials and literature about assistive technology. There is lots of available material that can promote products that will service our clientele, the onus is us to review the needs of our students and try and make the best fit. I was listening to some of my classmates and when they were searching for iPod touch apps,they were actually saying, I know that such and such would love this. To be able to identify a child that immediately comes to mind when you see software that you know would support that student and help them attend to task it is a wonderful feeling.
I must admit that I was struggling with finding a student, or making that connection because I was looking for someone that was already labelled, instead f looking for software that might enhance a students learning. Once I realized that I was placing limitations on myself it was so much easier to find software that would be suitable to support student learning. I do have a particular student in mind and the more I searched the iStore the easier the task became, it was like a light went on and I knew exactly what I was looking for; to engage all my students in their learning. I have placed a couple of the apps on my blog for you to observe, some are links that show a video clip and some are actual videos for you to review, I was thrilled thrilled that I was able to set them up in my blog for you all to see.
I have created a student profile and realized that there are several applications for this iPod touch, not exclusively for children with a diagnosis but for all learners that would like to stimulate their personal learning and be challenged with news ways of learning. Is that not what happens when we introduce assistive technology to our students, a new learning opportunity, which
challenges them to learn and become experienced enough in their learning to ask for more. I know from experience that when we are distracted or having difficulty attending to task it would be nice to have an alternative learning application that would support our behaviors. We all learned differently and sometimes that can be very difficult for some students, we could actually give them shared learning opportunities and the time required to refocus and attend to the task. Sometimes a slight diversion is all it takes to assist a student in regrouping, and modifying his/her behaviors that are not conducive to the learning at that moment in time. Instead we program for behavior and assess for a justifiable reason why they are unable to commit to their learning, maybe it is the manner in which the material is being delivered, there are not always answers and diagnosis that can be attached to student inattentiveness.
In closing I downloaded one of my sons videos, a film that he wrote, produced, directed, was the lead male character and did the rapping and vocals for the scene. This film is called 'Misunderstood' and what a fitting title for the position that we find ourselves in when we are advocating for a child and no one is listening. It is a brilliant film about a relationship between an older man (26) and a 16 year old girl and the stereotypes and innuendo that ultimately tear them apart. Only to realize that lack of understanding and support ended up destroying both of their lives, damaging several relationships in the process and the two people involved ironically ended back at the same place in their minds, together.
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