Web Accessibility and Adaptive Technology

Steve showed the class new technology that improves accessibility for handicapped or impaired persons on the computer. He passed around a braille device that looked like a laptop without a screen that spoke in letters and words. We viewed the "Jaws" program on the big monitor that showed us how a person who was legally blind could use a PC and keep up with the class.

Week 6 International Classroom Blogs

I discovered a website called Epals. It is listed as a "Collaborative learning Experience", where students can submit work online and review others blogs. Interactive publishing and exploration is encouraged and can be tracked by parents and Administrators. It has many of the same features that ALEX has, and in addition it can showcase students' work to teachers and youth in more than 200 countries and territories through the ePals Global Network.

It can be viewed at http://www.epals.com/

Another website called classroomblooging.com has a list of instructors and their particular field of expertise. Some of the more interesting international profiles were from instructors that helped in learning a foreign language.

I found that the instructors have an international educators summit online, where teachers share information and ideas. The internet makes all this possible instead of plane tickets and convention centers, as were required in the past.

www.classroomblogging.com

Week 5 - Blogs in the Classroom

Marisa Dudiaks' second grade class uses a blog in the classroom. After a field trip to a Native American reservation, the class shared their experiences online. This was reported to have made the quieter students "come alive" online and show more academic interest. The blogs achieved longer question and answer sessions and were even active during the summer vacation. The blogs have turned students into modern day pen pals, as some even stayed in contact after the class had ended. Grammar and spelling were improved as students were aware that their parents may read what they write.

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/19/technology/circuits/19blog.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5090&en=33627811ca310596&ex=1250568000

Will Richardson is an instructional supervisor at a school in New Jersey. As a former English teacher, he posted a forum for students to blog about a book they were to read for class. The blog was so successful that the author of the book learned a new perspective on her own writings from reading the students blogs. Mr. Richardson then made the use of blogs a "staple" for the curriculum at his school. It now has over 400 blogs in use at its website.

Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/03/AR2006040301350.html

Week 4, The Movie

Shift Happens. China and India will outnumber the U.S. in English speaking citizens. Most of the world will be connected by computers and internet. The world is changing rapidly, and in exponential form. I liked the Albert Einstein quote about not being able to solve problems using the midset that created it. I thought the presentation was very insightful.

Im fascinated that classroom teaching will be forever altered by computer technology. The way we communicate will be worldwide, with mostly English speaking students. This means it will be easier to stay up to date and current with knowledge and technology. No longer will we be considered backwater and hay seed for simply living in Alabama.

Week 3 , ACCESS blog

ACCESS stands for Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators and Students Statewide.


The ACCESS program allows students access to specialized advanced placement courses that may not be available in their area. It has web based courses with multimedia conferencing, interactive video, and blended subject matter that pertains to the specialized area.

It allows online, interactive learning. Live teaching done through IVC (interactive video) can enable students to feel more interactive and enhance interest level. In addition, it provides access to advanced diplomas, courses, remedial, dual enrollment and advanced placement. ACCESS also provides teachers with multimedia technology that can enhance classroom learning.

ACCESS can allow certain schools access to a certified teacher, that may not be available to them. Thus, making use of Internet technology, to eliminate the problem of time and space. Certified teachers can specialize in an area so that the student can be instructed in a specialized field.

Week 2 ALEX summary

ALEX stands for the Alabama Learning Exchange and is a website designed for teachers. It can be used in many ways, including sharing of files, media, and lesson plans. Through the use of blogs and wikis, teachers can share ideas and assist each other in difficult areas of teaching. It has a wide variety of subjects that use interactive programs, such as video conference, that allow teachers and students to engage in continuous learning.

It is hosted by the "Alabama Supercomputer Authority" and will allow teachers to create their own webpage at no cost. This will enable teachers to share and collaborate on ideas in hopes to improve communication and overall educational performance of the students of Alabama.

The ACCESS program allows students access to specialized advanced placement courses that may not be available in their area. It has web based courses with multimedia conferencing, interactive video, and blended subject matter that pertains to the specialized area.

This program can be very beneficial to a new teacher. It would allow me to communicate with other, more experienced faculty in other parts of the state. While keeping within the state guidelines and regulations, there wouldn't be a problem with out of state guidelines being used incorrectly. The information and access would help me as a new teacher to feel like I was not all alone out there or having to figure out a problem area by myself. I think it would be a positive support network for teachers.

About Ken

Hello,

My name is Kenneth Vannoy. I am a senior at the University of South Alabama, majoring in secondary education. I am concentrating on history and social studies.

I was born in Atlanta, Ga. and moved around alot during my first 10 years. I lived in South Carolina twice, Birmingham, and finally settled in Mobile at age 10. I have 2 younger brothers. One lives in Texas and works for a railroad company, and the other is a police officer in Daphne, Al.

During my teenage years, I learned to play the guitar. I picked up a bass guitar at age 21 and have enjoyed playing music for many years now.

I graduated from Murphy High in Mobile in 1987, and I do remember Mr. Wakeman from my high school years. I would like to compliment him (if he reads this) that he looks well, since I last saw him 20 years ago. I seem to recall that he is a fine guitar player.