Blog Post #3

Part 1
After watching the videos on Peer Editing and Peer edit with perfection, and also viewing the power point on peer editing I felt much more at ease about critiquing a peer's post. All three of the sources viewed had great pointers and techniques about editing that I look forward to be able to put into practice when critiquing my students. The power point and the video on peer editing stressed to always use the three steps when peer editing. Those three steps consisted of compliments, staying positive, and making suggestions. I feel that there could not have been three better steps in the process of peer editing.

Like the sources viewed mentioned, I believe the number one key to remember in peer editing is to always, always, always compliment first. In past experiences I have noticed if you do not start out your editing with a compliment then your peer is likely to become negative and shun away from the subject at hand. By starting your peer editing out with a compliment, you are more likely to catch the attention of your peer and create an interest in the matter. The second main key in peer editing is to stay positive no matter the situation. This key element goes hand in hand with the first key in editing, complimenting. If you develop a negative attitude like Pushy Paula or some of the other editors in the video, you will lose the interest of your peer. When editing someone's work I think you should always put yourself in that persons shoes and ask yourself, "Would I get upset at this comment". As an editor, you also do not want to become defensive like Defensive Dave. This is a sure fire way to lose all interest you may or may not have in your peer you are critiquing. So, as we have learned from the sources viewed, always start out your peer editing with compliments, keep a positive attitude no matter what, and last but certainly not least make suggestions in a positive way.

Part 2a
Lacy Cook did an amazing job illustrating just how important technology is in special education environments. It is heart breaking to know that there are so many cases in our country and school systems where individuals that are special needs do not have the proper tools to provide them with an adequate education. I believe that the majority of school systems do not see the importance of providing technology base devices to special needs students; however, if our educators and school leaders could see such videos as Lacy Cook's they would see first hand the effects technology has on special need individuals. With technology, life could be tremendously easier for special need individuals throughout the world.
In this video I watched the impact each technology device had on each individual student and saw just how much the technology became facilitator of student participation. Before the technology was brought about it was very difficult for the teacher to keep the attention of the students; however, after i pads, computers, and much more were introduced it became almost effortless to catch the eyes of each student. The video stated that before i pads were brought into the classroom, an aid had to take a certain student out of the classroom during silent reading and read aloud to the individual. To witness the change the i pad had on just this one student was breathe taking. It was so comforting to know that there was now a way to engage the student in silent reading and at the same time having him remain with his other classmates. Kris was another student and the video that preferred technology. He enjoyed using his computer at school to be able to actually communicate with everyone. Kris is nonverbal and before owning a computer he could only point to letters in order to create a word and in turn communicate. I cannot imagine spending the majority of each day not being able to communicate with others, but to know that simply having computers in a classroom enables communication for an individual is rewarding in itself. The assignments that are given to special need students can become 100% complete now with the help of technology and in half the time! By special need individuals being able to use technology daily, their lives have become so much easier and although they may never be "normal" they are able to become step closer.

Part 2b
After viewing the app store, I found an app named Intro to Letters, by Montessorium. I feel this would be a very useful app to use while teaching a special needs student. Many special needs students have trouble concentrating and/or communicating. The Into to Letters app will not only help students to learn in many ways, but will also captivate their attention where the student is not caught drifting into outer space! So many students, special needs or not, have trouble staying focused on the lesson of the day. I feel that by introducing an app that is outlined somewhat as a game will help keep the student engaged in the lesson. With this app students can learn to read, write, trace, and even learn the sounds of letters in the process. I would love to one day be able to use such an app as this to teach special need children. I feel that by showing the student just how the app works, he or she will be turned on to learning and will see how it helps them to learn and communicate. The app holds such detail in color and design throughout the background which also helps to catch the eye of the student.
The video of a child with autism using an i pad to complete his homework was a great example of just how important it is to enable technology to special needs children. His parents stated that before purchasing the i pad, their child had never been so excited about doing homework. The apps downloaded on the child's i pad such as My First Words, and Kids Writing Pad were also great learning apps for special need children. This child was a key example of the importance of technology in learning especially with special need students.
After watching Harness Your Students Digit Smarts by Vicki Davis I was absolutely amazed! As you all may know I am from a very small town and I have always doubted the fact of technology being brought into schools as small as ours here in Chatom, Alabama; however, after seeing that this small rural town in Georgia has been able to captivate so much knowledge in technology I do have hope for our small high school!
I loved, loved, loved Vicki Davis's attitude toward every student having the ability to learn. She stated that it is all about finding the correct teaching method to allow each student to learn in their own way. I think that is such a valid point due to the fact so many students now days have trouble focusing on work while looking at a blank piece of paper and only a pen or pencil at hand. With all the new technology available in the world, it would be insane to not include such devices in teaching students. Another point of Vicki Davis's that I found intriguing was to teach students to focus on learning how to learn instead of relying a teacher to teach everything. Davis even said herself that there were particular things the students knew before she did and therefore the teacher was even able to learn. The main key I hope to remember from this video is to always empower your students!