Class 9 - What is Communication?

Class 9 was very thought provoking since there were many questions posed to the class that definitely made me really think about how I communication with people on a daily basis.  We worked with partners to locate definitions and resources about various augmentative and alternative communication programs and/or devices.  So.... 


What is Communication?  Communication is the conveying of information or exchange of information to share information, needs, opinions, ideas, beliefs, feelings, emotions, experiences and values.  Communication is more than just talking and listening; it involves understanding and interpreting.  In order for communication to be effective, there are certain components that are needed including a common language, a communication partner and joint attention (active listener).       

Communication can be divided into 4 different categories but delivered in a variety of ways.

1.            Verbal communication

2.            Non-verbal communication

3.            Written communication

4.            Visual communication

When people communicate, they do so in a variety of ways including;    

: with their eyes

: orally via face to face interactions, telephone, radio, television, etc

: physically through touch, body gestures

: sign language  

: pictorially through the use of programs like Board Maker or PECs

: in writing via letters, emails, books, magazines

: technology devices with programming including iPad with Proloquo2go or Picture Card Maker Plus

:  visually with charts, graphs, maps, logos, etc

For some individuals, assistance is needed to communicate in an effective manner with others.  Therefore, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) programs and/or devices are required.  Augmentative and Alternative Communication is an umbrella term that encompasses the communication methods used to supplement or replace speech or writing for those with impairments in the production or comprehension of spoken or written language.  AAC is used by individuals with a wide range of speech and language impairments including congenital impairments such as cerebral palsy, intellectual impairments and autism. In addition, AAC is used by individuals who have acquired conditions such as Parkinson’s disease. 

Barb, our professor posed a trick question....WHO IS A TYPICAL USER OF AUGMENTATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION?  Well, throughout this course I have learned so much about assistive technology programs and devices and who it assists.  AT supports a wide variety of users with a wide variety of needs....there is no typical user.  I have learned that every piece of assistive technology that is put in the hands of a user must be MATCHED.  Without this MATCH, AT and AAC programs and devices could prove ineffective for the user; creating frustration as opposed to success.  Taking the time to understand the strengths, needs, wants and goals of the user and his/her family and being aware of the different environments the AT and/or ACC will be used in is extremely important.  Hence, there are a variety of models you can access to help ensure you are making an appropriate AT and/or ACC match with a user including the Chambers, Lifespace Access Profile (LAP Model), Students Environments Tasks Tools Framework (SETT), Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative (WATI), Education Tech Points model (ETP) and Matching Person and Technology (MPT). 



There are 2 different types of communication systems; unaided communication systems and aided communication systems.  Unaided communication systems rely on the user's body to convey messages gestures, facial expressions, vocalizations, speech, and sign language.

Whereas, aided communication systems require the use of tools or equipment in addition to the user's body.  For instance, using an actual object to convey meaning.  For example,

your child hands you a cup to let you know she is thirsty  pointing to, such as pictures or textures on a communication board or in a book activating a device; for example, your child presses a switch or button on a recorded speech device, initiating auditory output that says, "I'm thirsty."  There are a variety of both aided and unaided communication systems including Communication boards, Communication books, Recorded speech devices, Keyboards (The symbols on the keyboard might be letters, words, or picture symbols), Proloquo2go, Boardmaker, Picture Card Maker Plus, etc. 

Presently at my school, I have several young students who utilize a variety of modalities to communicate with others.  For instance, a little girl in Grade 3 who is Globally Delayed uses her iPad with Picture Card Maker Plus, vocalizations, gestures, touch, and eye contact to communicate her wants, needs, questions, etc to staff and peers.  Two other students; one is in Senior Kindergarten and has Apraxia, the other is in Grade 6 and Autistic; both boys use their iPads with Proloquo2go, gestures, and vocalizations to communicate.  It is truly amazing how a piece of technology has opened a whole new world to these students, who before their technology was matched to them, were not clearly understood. 

 I often wonder what my brother Kenny would be able to do if we matched appropriate technology to meet his needs.  You see, Kenny is 46 and non-verbal but since his arrival into this world, he has communicated to those around him in his own way....vocalizations, pointing, nodding of his head to yes and no questions, eye contact and touch.  Although programs like sign language and Bliss Symbols were implemented, both were ineffective.  With the knowledge I am gaining from this course, I wonder if AT could be successfully implemented now, especially after years of communicating the ways he has.   

Seeing inspirational people like Maya and her family in the youtube video titled, Maya Finds her Voice gives me hope.  Maya is a beautiful young girl who clearly had lots to share with others but was unable to use her voice the way I can.  She needed a different mode of communication and fortunately for Maya, her family discovered it.  Through love, devotion and hard work, Maya was given an extremely important key...a piece of technology with some individualized programming and a whole new world was accessible to her.  Absolutely amazing!!!!  
      
Hope you enjoy! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyGr7_B2Nrk

 

 

 

Class 8 - The Writing Process

 

Since this week's AT class was about the writing process, I thought that this Peanut cartoon was a cute opening...since I am guilty of doing just as the comic says...:(   



 

Now that I am more aware of UDL... I am definitely re-thinking this assignment and how to make it less about writing and perhaps more about photography,  creating an art piece, making a collage, producing a drama piece, etc...to share what the students did throughout the summer holiday!  LOL!!! :)

 

 

Again, Wednesday's AT class was fantastic!  Lots of useful, purposeful and meaningful information shared about AT, the brain and the writing process that MY brain hurt!  I have spent the last few days just digesting it all and really assessing how all this information impacts me and my students that I come in contact with on a daily basis.     

The Brain and the Writing Process 

 

WOW!!! I knew that our brains were amazing machines but never truly sat and thought about our brain and how it functions with our body....until...the past few classes.  Breaking down the processes needed for the brain to

complete a reading task and/or a writing task is remarkable.  It is complex and amazing and something that I truly took for granted.  As a teacher I have taught many students who shared wonderful ideas during shared writing but when they were sent to their desks to write...the process stalled.  Their excitement and enthusiasm observed during shared writing soon dwindled.  They struggled to get those thoughts they excitedly shared orally onto paper in a logical, coherent manner...and now I can appreciate why.  

 

 

The writing process for many of us is somewhat easy.  However, if you struggle this task is now a daunting, excruciating process.  Take a look at the

critical steps needed to occur between the brain and the body in order to complete a writing task.  ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I know that prior to last Wednesday's class, I had not given much thought about trunk posture of a writer...which is extremely important in the writing process too... therefore I will definitely be more cognisant of it from now on ... BUT I had observed many students with incorrect pencil grasps.  The correct positioning of the fingers to hold a pencil is shown below...however, guidance and support from an Occupational Therapist....like the one in the video... should be sought before implementing programing or low assistive technology tools for students. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In addition, we viewed a video about a variety of low assistive technology tools that students use to help support them with improving their pencil grip or to help support them with written output tasks.  Over my years of teaching, I have used several different pencil grips and the rocket pencil.  I had never seen a writing bird....but thought that I was pretty neat!

 
1. ROCKET PENCIL

 
 
2. VARIOUS PENCIL GRIPS
 
 

 
 
 
3. WRITING BIRD

4. WEIGHTED PENCILS

 

  

ORGANIZING AND WRITING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY  

 

 In addition to the above tools, there are a variety of programs that can support students in our diverse classrooms with written tasks.  Whether a student needs assistance with organizing thoughts and ideas or support writing in a legible manner, there are assistive technology tools, programs and devices designed to meet their individual needs.  However, it is important for you to ensure you make appropriate decisions about which AT to provide a student.  By doing so, you are matching the AT to the student's individual needs...an important process if they are going to embrace the technology and use it effectively. 

 

1. Clicker Sentences was introduced to the class and I was very excited about how this program support students learning early literacy skills. 

 

 

 

"Clicker Sentences is a wonderful program that assists student with understanding sentences and how they work which is a critical part of early literacy.  Students who are emergent writers, English language learners or older children struggling to acquire basic literacy skills, Clicker Sentences will enable them to produce work they can be proud of while learning the key skills necessary for independent writing." 

 

Below is a link demonstrating how to use Clicker Sentences.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5922WHQkKU

 

2. WRITE OUT LOUD

 

 

Write Out Loud is another wonderful AT tool that struggling writers use as a support to complete writing tasks.  "Write Out Loud is an easy-to-use talking word processor that can be made to speak letters, words, sentences, or any combination of the three. Listening to words encourages reluctant writers and eliminates frustration. Write:OutLoud gives students the satisfaction and success that motivates them to write more and want to write."

 

A tutorial on how to use Write Out Loud can be found below. 

 

http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/Tutorials/WOL/

 

3. WORDQ

 

 

This program is one that my students use often when completing written tasks in class.  WordQ...

• Learns which words you like and predicts them faster
• Predicts words even if they are spelled creatively or missing parts
• Offers a list of words with similar meaning to add variety to your writing
• Uses clear and pleasant spoken feedback
• Gives examples for words that sound similar by using them in a sentence
• Reads aloud any text you can highlight, including websites, emails and instant-messaging
• Reads exactly what you write, so poor grammar sounds off and bad punctuation disrupts the rhythm
• Helps only as much as you need with functions that easily turn on or off
• Lets you modify word prediction to use specific vocabulary or topics
• Works with all commonly-used programs Now includes English, French, Spanish and German

To learn more about WordQ check out the link I provided below. 

 

http://www.goqsoftware.com/en/writing-products/wordq/#sthash.INeZ6gED.dpuf

 

 4. CO-WRITER

 

 

  

"Co:Writer 7's is another great AT tool who's word prediction helps your students write with the correct spelling and grammar. As they write in any application, Co:Writer interprets phonetic and inventive spelling, offering word suggestions in real time. It is the only word prediction program to use the context of a whole sentence to predict the next word, making it really easy for your students to get their thoughts down on paper. They can also select topic-specific words or phrases from Co:Writer’s word banks!

• Speech anywhere – highlight and read out any on-screen text.
• Predicts words in the context of complete sentences.
• FlexSpell interprets phonetic and inventive spelling.
• Simple interface – discrete and ready to help.
• Hundreds of ready-madeTopic Dictionaries.
• Create your own Topic Dictionaries from any text or web page in 3 simple steps."

 

In closing this week's blog, I just wanted to say that these days teaching encompasses many things...from how to be thoughtful and kind towards others to teaching our students how to become independent readers and writers.  Our job as teachers is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!  Ensuring each and every child is given what they individually need in order to achieve and reach their maximum potential is critical to their growth and success at the present moment and on into the future.  It is up to us to make this happen.  CRAZY!!!

 

 

  

 

 



 

 

Literacy Websites and Software Supports for Your UDL Classroom

I found this quote and thought that it was fitting since this week we chatted about struggling readers.  Since I consider myself a proficient reader, I tried to place myself in the shoes of a struggling reader and sadly...I can not imagine how they must feel.  However, I can support them in every way possible to ensure they are given the resources, time and tools needed to reach their maximum potential...and let them know that....

In addition to chatting about reading, last week's class continued with sharing how useful and multi-purposeful the iPad is as a tool in a variety of settings for a variety of people of all ages.  The youtube video below shows just how diverse this tool is...besides being useful and purposeful for all ages, it is also manageable in size, portable, affordable...and so much more...

http://www.apple.com/ca/ipad/life-on-ipad/

 

In addition, I learned lots about reading remediation and compensatory strategies which was very informative.  Thanks to Barb and other colleagues in the class, I discovered a variety of new and exciting sites, apps and programs that can assist students along their 'learning to read journey'.  It is absolutely amazing to me the different tools that are available to all learners; not just the struggling ones.  These tools are fun, engaging and educational for all children...definitely some thought about UDL went into their designing and implementation of these tools...thank goodness!!

Below are some of the sites that I found while on my treasure hunt looking for reading websites, apps and programs.  Some I use...they are tried, tested and true...others are new and I'm super excited about going back to school to share with other colleagues.  Cheers!!


Reading Websites



1. Tumble Books

 

http://www.tumblebooks.com/library/asp/customer_login.asp?accessdenied=%2Flibrary%2Fasp%2Fhome%5Ftumblebooks%2Easp 

 

 

Tumble Books is a wonderful website that provides students a wide variety of online books for their reading pleasure as well as activities to enhance different literacy skills.  I love this website because whether you are a proficient reader or a struggling reader....all students are given the choice to read the book themselves or simply sit and enjoy having the book read to them.  Hearing books read aloud is a great way for students to hear proper fluency, intonation and expression!       



2. Starfall

http://www.starfall.com/

Starfall is another great website that is FREE to all teachers, students and parents.  Using their systematic approach and phonemic awareness, children are taught that letters have specific sounds and that these letters and sounds are put together to make words.  This website is very engaging and fun! 

3. Reading A-Z

http://www.readinga-z.com/

I love this site and so too do the students!  This online leveled reading program is fantastic!  It has a wide variety of leveled text that meets the needs and interests of the diverse classrooms we are all teaching in today.  Like other sites, Reading A-Z supports all readers...proficient to struggling.  When students practice their reading skills on a daily basis, they can improve their fluency, expression, comprehension, phonological awareness, phonics and vocabulary. I especially like that these books can be printed and used as Guided Reading text.  In addition, there are a wide variety of activity sheets and assessments for students to complete that correspond with the leveled books. 

4. Raz Kids

http://www.raz-kids.com/


This engaging reading website has over 400+ ebooks that are available in multiple languages.  Students can either listen to books or read books to improve various skills and/or strategies.  In addition, this website enables students to record themselves reading.  Very cool!  Running records are also readily available for teachers to use when assessing students.  Students are especially motivated and engaged with the RAZ ROCKET !  In addition, there is a correlation chart that assists teachers with how the Raz Books would correspond to other leveled book resources.  Very useful information!  

Finally, Raz Kids is also available as an app which is super cool!!!

5. Earobics - Game Goo

www.earobics.com

The last site that I had a few minutes to explore was called Earobics-Game Goo.  Like other sites I visited, it looked fun, motivating and engaging for kids.  Designers state that "Earobics’ unique instructional design provides a diverse, differentiated approach to literacy suited to each student’s individual needs."  There was a wide variety of interactive games for students to practice different early reading skills needed to become successful readers; phonemic awareness, phonics and much more!!!

Software Programs

In addition to the websites I played around on...I also looked at some software programs that support literacy in our classrooms.  I found a really informative site that stresses the importance of matching the most appropriate software program(s) to meet the students individualized needs.  Critical point....especially if we are expecting the user to engage and use the program and technology to support them on their journey of reaching their maximum potential. 

1. Reading Software:  Finding the Right Program

http://www.ldonline.org/article/7765/

This article had a great section about software programs that you can research to meet your student's needs.  You select the area of need for the student...whether it be cause and effect, language readiness or talking word processing support the student needs....it searches a variety of software programs for you...then provides you with a list of software programs that could possibly meet the needs of student you are trying to support.  Really worth checking out!!


2. Earobics

Besides having a website, Earobics has software that can support teachers
with reaching the students in their diverse classrooms.  Earobics philosophy: "Advance student achievement and ignite a spark in all students by combining proven research-based strategies with engaging technology and multimedia materials that deliver literacy instruction uniquely tailored to each student's learning needs."  There program focused on 5 key literacy skills including....

...all of which are critical in supporting our students to become literate. 

3. Lexia Learning

http://www.lexialearning.com/

Lexia Learning is software that supports teachers and students with improving literacy skills.  When you explore their site, they have a variety of research claiming their software program "improves early literacy skills when used in conjunction with classroom reading instruction."  In addition, they state that "Lexia’s Strategies for Older Students has been shown to be effective in remediating struggling readers in middle and high school."  You can check out more information about this reading software at the link above.

4.    Merit Software

http://www.meritsoftware.com/white_papers/elementary_reading_software.php

Like other software programs, Merit Software has a methodology.  It is...

"As students advance in school, they are expected to make meaningful contributions to academic discussions. To do so, students must be able to read for a purpose, analyze data, and communicate their ideas. Unfortunately, many students enter higher grades unable to read critically, understand math concepts, or express themselves clearly.

If not dealt with, the effect of these problems multiplies. Students and teachers become frustrated with a lack of progress over time.
Instructional software can be a great way to coordinate efforts and achieve the desired outcome.

Merit® Software learning tools provide focus and direction for achieving academic success." 

I liked that Merit continually states that this software be used in conjunction with other classroom teaching.  This software does not replace the teacher...it supplements and provides extra reading practice to support readers.

My final software program that I decided to include on my blog is one that I use with my students on a daily basis.  It is tried, testing and true!  It is assistive technology that provides my students with equal access to the Ontario curriculum that was not there prior to its implementation. It has enabled my students to experience learning opportunities that mirrors their peers.  This software has given my students hope, pride in their accomplishments and more importantly, it has given my students their independence back....no more scribing, no more waiting until I can get to them to read the text...no more feeling centered out!!! 

Hopefully, I've peeked your interest....take a look at my last piece of software I researched!!   


5. Kurzweil

http://www.kurzweiledu.com/default.html

This software is useful and purposeful. It meets the needs of a variety of learners including those who struggle with reading due to a learning disability, a person who is visually impaired, individuals with dyslexia, etc.  This software reads scanned documents, assists students with spelling, note taking, dictation and so much more.  It opens the windows and doors to a world of new learning that perhaps was not truly accessible before its use!!!

In addition, Kurzweil has created an app that can be accessed on the iPad called Firefly.  This is very exciting!  I have a student who is in the process of switching from a laptop to an iPad for all educational purposes.  He is one of my students who uses Kurzweil on a daily basis...so knowing that there will be similar programming for him to continue accessing the curriculum while using his iPad is wonderful!  I am super excited for him!!

As I continue on my learning journey in this course, I am amazed each and every week at the new knowledge I am gaining about how to better support the diverse learners in my school with assistive technology.  I am sometimes taken back at how a tool that appears to be quite simple can be soooo important and life changing to an individual...whether it be a pediatric pencil holder for a little girl who is globally delayed and has fine motor issues to a little boy with autism who uses Proloquo2go on his iPad to communicate with others....both are critical in their lives and how they will navigate in it and through it.  WOW!!! ....and Barb says we are learning about writing this week...CRAZY!  I can't wait!!!



 




 

The Power of Reading!

Hello everyone!  I have spent the last few days since class reflecting on all that was discussed in class and found myself thinking lots about the task analysis that Barb showed us. 

As I stated in an earlier blog, I know reading is extremely important and was aware how hard the brain worked when reading...but did not actually sit and think deeply about this critical, complex process until Barb broke it down into the intricate steps with her task analysis assignment.  As a facilitator, I spend lots of time working with students, many of which I assist with improving their literacy skills.  

I thought about myself as a reader and how this important skill comes easily to me...and then I thought about those who struggle with reading....and my heart sank thinking about how challenging this concept of reading must be for them.  It is definitely their hard work and determination that inspires me to work just as hard as they do to ensure I give them all the support, tools, skills and strategies needed to become a reader.  So that they can experience the love of reading like others do....



Because of my time spent thinking about my students; both past and present, my thoughts drifted to one of my favourite books by one of my favourite authors...Patricia Polacco.  Thank you, Mr. Falker is a wonderful, heartfelt story about a little girl who is a struggling reader and a devoted teacher that spends hours teaching her that letters have sounds and when put together...these letters make words...and these words make sentences that convey meaning.  It is truly a fantastic read aloud with a great message. 




FYI....I can't say that I have ever read this book with my students without crying...since each and every year in my teaching career I have had one or more students that struggled with reading and I knew that they felt like the character in the book at some point in time.  With this read aloud, I wanted to let my students know that they were not alone...despite feeling that way.

In addition, I found this tear-jerking youtube video about a struggling reader.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!  I did neat a Kleenex by the end. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83DO0POacCE

Take care everyone!