Technology and Special Children!

The school I am currently working in, is  undergoing a technology overhaul.  Frankly we are about to be pulled in to the 21st Century, although not kicking and screaming, the majority of us have been asking for this for along, long time.  We currently have a high percentage of children on individual learning plans who would benefit greatly from the implementation of technologies that would facilitate and enhance their learning.

Our school needs to embrace technology and educate teachers to have the capability to apply their new found knowledge to the students.  I can follow identify that technology facilitates students with special needs and can be a great equaliser.  We have a number of Autistic children within our school.  One of the children refuses to hold a pencil, he holds it, as if their is 2 stone bearing down on his little hand.  However he will write on the ipad, he loves the app. Hairy letters, he will form his letters correctly and enjoys the funny animations.  He will write his name on the ipad notebook.  The ipad has enabled us diagnose that it is definitely the pencil that is the problem and that he is able to write.  The question is, will he only write on his terms or is their a problem with the pencil.  He is unable to verbalise his reasons for disliking the pencil. although we do know that it is not the case that he is touch sensitive, as he will mark make in foam and sand.  On discussion with staff members and a search on the internet, we are attempting to remedy the problem, we have purchased pens that you can record your voice on to and pens that vibrate.  These aren't particularly expensive items of technology and if they work?  I will let you know.

On reading the article presented to us by our lecturer last month, (Use of Technology to help students with special needs, by Ted S. Hasselbring and Candyce H. Williams Glaser).  Vol. 10 No.2 - Fall/Winter 2000.  I found this article very interesting considering it was scripted in the year 2000, and although it is in reference to technology and special needs, it fundamental message crosses over to mainstream.  Teachers need to be fully trained and their training needs to be kept up to date, in order to implement technology appropriately in the classroom.

Hasselbring & Williams consider the lack of adequate teacher training has an especially strong impact on students with disabilities because technology is often a critical component in planning and implementing. 

I believe that adequate training preservice and inservice is critical for all teachers, teaching special needs or mainstream learners.  We have just received an impressive amount of ipads in school, with the promise of training.  The ipads have been in school for over a month and teachers are welcome to take them home and have a play.  We can down load applications,  if the application is not applicable we are unable to delete them, due to security.  I have images of over 20 ipads being filled with rubbish.  Ultimately it is frustrating, if we had been trained to begin with and applications were recommended and demonstrated, we could of used the ipads straight away in the classroom.  I borrowed one the other day and it had a Tesco application on it! 

Three of my own children are Dyslexic, they are all on Individual Learning Plans, they have support in school and extra time in exams. Recently I received a letter from one of my daughters teachers in Secondary school, explaining that the exam criteria for GCSE's are changing.  The criteria is called QWC (communication of written writing) in English this will be 50% of their mark, the examiner will look for accuracy, punctuation, grammar and spelling.  I am an advocate for all these, although I am poor at three of them. 
Michael Gove the Education Secretary and Leighton Andrews the Welsh Education Minister are the people responsible for this new criteria.  Not long ago Leighton Andrews was singing on high the importance of PSE in schools,  I have lost faith in all this, no matter how much they say they care about our child's well being, they  want academic results and slowly, slowly, between A levels becoming increasingly difficult, university fees, they are slowly dividing the wheat from the chaff.  I am not sure where technology and levelling the playing fields play their part in exams.

My daughters work ethic is creditable and she is working incredibly hard to overcome her disorder, although spelling will always remain a challenge for the rest of her life.   Legally the school have everything in place for her, however when it comes down to measuring her achievements, apart from extra time and notation if her writing is difficult to understand, technology will play no part in helping her with her exam.  On a recent assessment she was asked to write a story using paper and pen and managed 250 words witin the time scale.  When the task was repeated, only this time she could use a computer and word processing document she managed 540 words in the same timescale with little spelling mistakes.  However as much as all these technologies can be used and embraced  by schools during term time, when it comes to external examations they count for nothing.

Schools are doing their best for children, with the training and money provided.  We do think out of the box and come up with ideas that will help children ,that do not cost the earth.  However we do need guidance and support from Local Authorities and Government.

Modern technology, Kiss kiss!

The snow came to town yesterday and brought parts of our city to a stand still, me included.

Reflecting on my day yesterday I began thinking about the various technology we use and almost take for granted.

My day began by receiving an sms text from my daughter's school to say they were open.

I then had to drive her there in my car.  No need for walking.

I then came home and hoovered, didn't require a broom.

I watched my children play on a Nintendo WII.

I ordered them 2 new games on my laptop, off a website and have just been informed by an email that they have been dispatched.

We watched a DVD on the DVD player.

Later we made cakes and used an electric whisk to make the mixture, much easier than by hand.

I used the telephone to ring my sister and ascertain how much snow she had, beats smoke signals.

I used my Slow cooker to make meat balls and used my oven to bake garlic bread. 

I used my dish washer to wash all the horrible dishes.  Amazing invention, first invented in the Victorian era by a lady, no surprise there.

I set my alarm clock before I went to bed and my house alarm.

If you were to ask me the question, "Do I use much technology during the day".  I know for a fact, before starting this blog, I would of said "no, not really"!  On reflection it is quite alarming or amazing just how much technology we take for granted.

Oh!  I forgot the washing machine, sure beats a bath and a mangle, oh and the tumble dryer!

Glad I am in work tomorrow, will be cheaper for a start.

Babushka, Babushka, Babushka I I!

For the past two weeks I have been teaching the children about Babushka, the Russian lady who meets the wise men, however she does not go with them because she wants to make toys for the baby Jesus.  She decided to follow them the next day but couldn't find the star or their foot prints due to the fact they were covered with fresh snow.  To this day she roams around Russia and delivers toys to the children on Christmas day.  Finally a woman getting some recognition at Christmas for doing all the work!

Regarding ICT and Babushka, I used an idea that was shown to us in University.  Our Lecturer demonstrated the use of a photostory programme being used as a reflective tool.  Or for the children to create their own story of a project they were doing.  I liked these ideas and having used a photostory programme previous, to create a photo diary of the children throughout the year and sell them to their parents, I thought this would be an innovative use for it.

The children painted a Babushka doll from a template.  Their learning outcome was to paint a Babushka doll with a face and some flowers on their middle, similar to the wooden Babushka dolls they had been playing with. 

The fun Ict part for them, was to take a photograph of their Babushka.  I then collated the dolls, some with heads, a few on a jaunty angle and many photographss with the children's thumbs in view. I then proceeded to place them on to the photostory.  The great thing about the photostory package, is it' flexibility.  I could control how long I would like each photograph on the screen.  Decide on the position of where I wanted the image to start and finished.  Choose how to fade in and out the photographs and add in music.

We have yet to view them as a class.  That will be tomorrow.  The children are going to choose which three they like best and why.  These will  be taken to the head teacher, who will choose which Babushka he thought reflected the learning outcome.  No pressure 3 and 4 year old children.

The photostory was quick to create, and looks brilliant.  It was much easier choosing the music from what they offered with the photostory programme, than having to add your own from an Mpeg.  You have to convert the music from a CD first, very complicated , I usually ask a year 6 to do it.

Explanations and Conviction!

School started back yesterday with an in service day.  I appreciate in service days, they provide us with the opportunity to gain a little order in the classroom before the children return, and chaos ensues.

During the morning I had to present my plans for the next two weeks to my manager, I showed her my idea for reflecting on the Christmas story and the Epiphany.  This was the lesson using the animal sounds and pictures of the animals in a PowerPoint.  I failed miserably to attach the sound to the PowerPoint, however I believe this was due to the fact I am using an older version of Word.  Although I have no choice as the new version is still not supported by the Local Authority.

My manager was a little sceptical about this lesson and wondered if I would be upset if she sat in and observed it.  I could hardly say no.  Oh how I looked forward to Tuesday morning.  Not only did I have 3 new starters arriving today, I also had my manager observing a lesson she was sceptical about.  She was sceptical because she thought the lesson was a little disrespectful to the story of the Nativity.  I explained it was more of a fun introduction to reflecting on the story, hopefully all would become clear when I conducted the lesson.  No pressure.

 I split the class in to 3 groups.  The younger children went to play with the new children with an adult, to assist and direct them. The second group when in to the foyer, for a circle time activity and they talked about their favourite Christmas present.  I had a group of 11 to discuss the Epiphany with, my manager sat discreetly at the side of the classroom and observed.  Thankfully the lesson was a great success.  We talked about Jesus's birthday, I explained to the children that we were going to play a little game, to help us remember what animals would of in the stable with baby Jesus.  They were excited and keen to play.  The lesson was great fun and the children were laughing and listening intently to the animal sounds.  The lesson then moved on and we talked about the Epiphany and what gifts the Wise men brought. 

Most children could recall the gifts, the children were lively and quick with their answers.  Hopefully the fun lesson helped the children to recall what they were learning before the holidays, and Santa consumed their little world.  I did not go into detail  about the Epiphany.  This was an introduction and a reflection.  Later in the week I have planned a circle time, discussing what present they would bring Jesus.  I justified myself to my manager, and reminded her that the children are 3 years old, they have been off for 2 weeks and some were a little sad about returning to school.  My manager was happy, she loved the lesson and suggested I explain myself better next time and have more conviction in my ideas. 

ICT is not embraced at all in our school, I am learning to embrace it and feel that I am using it rather staidly but I am trying.  I would embrace any help or ideas!!!!!

Getting back to the grind!

House tidy, it is raining outside, gang happily playing.  Time to sit down and channel some new ideas for starting back in school next week.  The children will be painting their favourite Christmas present and chatting about what they enjoyed best about Christmas, amongst other activites but I would like use ICT, one of my ideas is as follows:

When we go back to school it will have been the celebration of the Epiphany on the previous Sunday and I am intending on doing a quick re-cap on the Christmas story.  I have come up with a unique way to do this and incorporate ICT and listening skills.  On the Kent Website I found a link to animal sounds, my intention will be to reflect on the story using this tool.  I will remind them that baby Jesus was born in a stable full of animals.  I will then use the link as a fun way of getting them to listen and see if they can guess the animal by listening to their bray of neigh. Now to make a PowerPoint with each of the different animal.  I wonder if I could incorporate the image on to the PowerPoint.  Here goes.

http://gallery.nen.gov.uk/asset81148_14724-.html   This is the link for the animal sounds,  their are probably loads but this works for me, mostly farm animals.

Christmas Keep Fit

Over the Christmas period I have decided it is time to get up and start some exercise.  I loathe running, however, for me it is a cheap, flexible option.  I can easily work it around home life and work.
   On my first run I managed 2 miles walking and running.  In appearance, I looked like I had been thrown out of the house with a fridge on my back.  I hated every minute, never the less I was not going to be perturbed.  On my next adventure my husband offered me his Ipod Classic to use whilst running.  I must of been 16 the last time I exercised with head phones in, using the very state of the art - portable CD player.  It was useless and stopped continuously, due to being bumped.  I believe the only way a portable CD player  would work properly, would be if the person tiptoed around with the CD player balanced on a velvet cushion. So I wasn't convinced, my husband did warn me it would be like running with a brick in my pocket due to the weight of the classic, however I thought I would give it ago.
  He was certainly right about the weight of the Ipod classic, clanking about in my pocket, It did make me feel like I was 16 again, running in the 1990's but only due to my husbands music selection, not done to the fact the Ipod Classic itself kept faltering, quite to the contrary it worked like a dream, never missed a beat, I was incredibly impressed. I loved listening to the music while I was running, although I still hate running. Listening to the music was definitely a big help or distraction, from the wind and the rain and the pain.

  My husband had an Ipod shuffle for Christmas and at the time I thought it looked a little pointless, but when he ran in front of me, he skipped along like a gazelle not someone with a brick in their pocket.  I may invest, I am now investigating how to put music on to these magic little items.  I am determined to do so, due to the fact I cannot bare to listen to Meatloaf or Roxette one more time.

And who said size does not matter!

Frustrating me and breakable technology

My husband has often suggested that I should road test cars and toys for durability.  For we are yet to come across a car or object I cannot break., including two Landrover Discovery's.  I broke a mobile phone that firefighters use because of it's robustness! 

Two years ago he bought me a Kindle, they were new and exciting and slightly frowned upon by the traditional book worms, which up until I held one, I would of considered myself of that mindset. However I fell in love, I still love books but my Kindle was priceless.  We traditionally go on holiday for the duration of the summer holidays.  I have been known to get through 10 books in 6 weeks.  Packing this many books in a tent and six people was a challenge, and purchasing English language books in Europe was bordering on impossible, but not with my beloved Kindle.  Whenever I needed a new book, we would take a trip to Mc Donalds, access their free WiFi, download a new book and enjoy a satisfying or addictive meal at the same time, happy days!

Two days ago, I read my beloved Kindle in bed before going to sleep.  I was reading my favourite story, Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice.  I placed my Kindle in it's cosy cover, similar to that of a Tea Cosy, put it on the floor beside my bed and went to sleep.  Next morning I was rushing around and being completely disorganised, I had not made my bed and my pillow had fallen out of the bed and landed on top of my Kindle (unbeknown to me), my daughter asked to borrow my hair dryer. I strode over to my bed with my dainty size 6 feet, where my hair dryer lived and my Kindle under the pillow.  I stamped on the pillow, bent over and picked up the hair dryer and heard a heart lurching crunch under my pillow.  "What was that, I thought"? Only my Kindle.  The front screen now looks like an Etcha Sketch gone wrong.  I am so sad, Mr Darcy, I sincerely apologise for my clumsiness and boyish strides.  My dear Kindle if only I had invested in a Ruggedised case and not a fancy tea cosy.  The ironic thing about it is, as owners of the Kindle keyboard will be aware, each time the Kindle is left, it automatically draws a picture of a famous person, mine that I cannot remove from my Etcha Sketch Kindle is Alexandre Dumas, my husband says this is quite apt.

On the same day I have also discovered black lines across my mobile phone, apparently I have squished a row of LED's behind the screen, I am not quite sure what that means. 
   Irony of irony's my Father received a Kindle for his birthday today and I was the one who set it up for him, downloaded him a new book and adjusted the font.  Then cried for the loss of my beloved, endearing Kindle.  Imagine ,I am going to have to go back to reading books, one of those people who have to turn pages, positively medieval.  On the positive side if I step on one of them by the side of my bed, they will survive, Eureka, a robust item!