Monday, April 8, 2013

Day 6: Case Study Presentations

FINAL REFLECTIONS

It is hard to believe that another course has come and gone. Today's class was really great because it allowed us to showcase what we have learned and put it into practice. There were 17 case study presentations and each one involved a successful use one or more assistive technologies:
As you can see, the majority of apps used for the case studies were free and several were even built in features of the device being used.

What is next?

I have already started and I will continue to promote the iPad, iPhone and iPod as assistive technologies and learning tools. Not only are they great alternatives for students with challenges, but they are highly motivating and engaging for everyone and promote creativity. I will continue to suggest apps for students who are struggling to learn through traditional methods. I also know that I will continue to refer back to this blog as well as my classmates' blogs because they contain a wealth of information making them great go-to resources.

Thank you Barb for all that you have given us!





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Sunday, April 7, 2013

Day 5: Assistive Technology saves the day!

Thanks to the assistive technology, Blackboard Collaborate, we were able to have class from home again. This time the issues were health related and not due to weather! As I mentioned on my Day 3 blog, students, who for various reasons would not regularly be able to attend school or know that they will be out of school for an extended period due to surgery could attend via Blackboard Collaborative. Having this available could mean an easier transition back into the classroom when able and would help reduce the anxiety of catching up to classmates.



The focus of today's class was: Low Tech AT for Diverse Needs.

Barb began with a great  You Tube video showing low tech solution to enhance the performance of a person with a disability. The ideas are too great not to share, my personal favorites are the potato peeler, and the pot with the lockable  lid; having one of those pots would have saved me from many past burns or food lost in the sink!


Some other You Tube videos featuring low tech solutions include:
1. This one shares ideas for in the kitchen, and all are under $25.

2. This one focuses on handwriting tools, most of which I had never seen before. 


Who knew a tennis ball could be so versatile? Or so happy to help!
 
It is amazing when you just take the time to look around at things in the stores, everyday items can serve multiple purposes when you take the time and step outside of the box. Last week I was at Superstore, for groceries and was just walking up and down the aisles looking at everything.


The flat backed hair brushes caught my attention, those brushes with more bristles could hold items upright, such as recipe cards, sequence of steps cards and/or choice cards.
Another item that caught my eye was the egg cartons, in school we have used them to hold glue or paint but they are a great way to sort and organize things at home: 
  • In the garage or basement to organize: different size nail, nuts, bolts, etc., 
  • To hold and sort pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, loonies and toonies,
  • To hold and sort thumbs tacks, safety pins, paper clips, buttons, etc.
  • If someone takes multiple pills, daily, at different times and finds the bottles difficult to open then several days worth can be sorted into the easy to open egg carton,
  • An empty carton can also be turned upside down and thin slits cut into the egg cups to hold pictures, choice cards, etc.

   
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