check out this fun game

http://www.freetetris./game.php

Final Reflection for Assistive Technology Access to Literacy

My husband (the wise and patient man that he is) has been saying for years that I should be spending more time learning my way around computers especially now that I am a teacher. As of three weeks ago my computer skills were: using microsoft word, google and email.....nothing beyond that. I had no idea what I was in store for. To my defense I've always felt that there was something off between myself and anything technologically based. For example, I don't ware a watch because it doesn't work  on me; have you ever heard of that before? Yesterday afternoon our class went to Patty's for lunch. I was one of the last ones to pay using my debit card and for some reason the apparatus(the thing you insert your card into) went all finiky. When I asked what the problem was the lady said she had no idea why it was acting up but it was nothing I did (it did work eventually). Those are just two small examples and I could write about even more. Thank goodness my car will let me drive it. Anyway, my day has come, it's time to move on and push forward...I know I'll be the better for it. Sometimes I would find myself overwhelmed in class and at home with my learning curve. I was like a fish out of water in a sense. From now on when someone says they feel like they're drowning I'll understand what they mean (and feel very bad for them). Over the past three weeks I thought about how students feel when they too feel overwhelmed with new learning. I think this experience has help me to grow in a number of ways even beyond what I've learned. My husband cautioned me when I enrolled in this course, not that he didn't think I couldn't learn it but because of the emotional stress it would cause me...oh well I hope I've succeeded. I know I have "miles to go before I sleep," (one of my favourite phrases) when it comes to learning and using technology, but I really look forward to it.
Now that I see the value in technology, especially in the way it supports students who are otherwise left out of the learning process, I am highly motivated and charged to continue my journey. As stressful as this whole process was and is for me I'm looking forward to more. I will start at the very basics of how and why computers work the way they do. Maybe I'll even try wearing a watch again, who knows.

I really enjoyed both the recorded and live Elluminate sessions. It would be nice if more universities would sign on to this form. It would provide access and open doors to people who who can't attend classes. I'm thinking about the mom who stays at home with her kids but would still like to continue her education, or for someone who is unable to navigate around physically. It is also a good form for a very shy and introverted person. I see many positive things about it and would like to take a course that way myself. Everyone did such a wonderful job on their blogs, you should all be proud. I learned a lot and you all have wonderful research skills. These blogs will serve as a great resource for educators, parents and anyone who works with children and I would highly recommend teachers taking this course.
Thank you Barb for bringing this invaluable information about technology and literacy into the schools and the world. Look at all the students who can now be included in the learning process with these tools.
I hope everyone has a wonderful summer.
P.S  now I'm looking for APPs for everything...I wonder if there is one for cleaning house

Researching The Writing Process

I've been doing a lot of research about the writing process and technology the last couple of days in preparation for my new blog. I'm just thinking about how much fun students can have learning this very difficult task. To think about the iPod. That something you can fit in the palm of your hand is capable of doing so much The technology available to help struggling writers or any writer for that matter is amazing. The tremendous number of resources available in literacy for Learning Disabilities is heart warming. It's hard not to get caught up in the research but I have get the blog finished. Oh well lots to do this summer. I will have to learn to use the tools themselves and then really see what they can do.

I am also learning more about how the internet itself has become such a wonderful classroom. Live in the Elluminate Classroom proved that for me. What an amazing experience. I really love how you can start and stop the program while in progress, everyone learns at a different pace so that is very important for me. The recorded sessions were informative, what a neat way to learn about the Apps. The demonstrations were great. I enjoyed being live and adding those cute little happy faces..fun, fun.

I thought this was a neat diagram illustrating different kinds of literacy

 Here is a link to the Canadian Learning and Literacy Network 

http://www.literacy.ca

Jeremiah Learns to Read

I love this children's book because it illustrates that it is never to late to learn read. It is a wonderful read aloud.

I found this site while doing some research. It discusses ways in which students learn (auditory, visual etc.)

Writing Task Analysis

This morning I spent time referring to my notes and looking at Barb's writing task analysis in preparation for our last assignment. No wonder some students get so overwhelmed and shut down when expected to do a writing assignment (even though they themselves are not aware of the processes and skills involved to perform the task of writing). I myself had no idea what a complicated process writing is, however, I think being aware of this monstrous task will enable me to step back and take a closer look at any student displaying writing difficulties. I was especially struck by the emotional component of writing but I completely understand it now. This is great knowledge for us teachers to have.
Thank you Barb, this is wonderful and exciting stuff.