Journal #9: "Reading Redefined for a Transmedia Universe" by Annette Lamb

Lamb, A. (2011). Reading redefined for a transmedia universe. Learning and Leading With Technology, 39(3), 12-17. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-november-2011.aspx


Summary: This article was very interesting to read, because I am the type of person that avoids reading. I only read for assignments, but after reading about the different advancements being made involving book reading I started to get pretty interested. Ever since I was young, I struggled with reading, because I would struggle with words. Just reading one page of a book, I usually stumble upon two to five words I am unfamiliar with. Picking up a dictionary really wasn't something I wanted to do; it involved me to get up and get the dictionary. Reading about the ebooks really fascinated me, because now readers have access to several tools with their Kindle, Nook, iPad, etc. and I think reading would become much more than just writing words. Lamb was explaining that many authors who have published their books online, include other means of technology that relate to their book. I think reading would be so much more enjoyable with that visual piece. Also, Lamb said that users can highlight and enlarge text, bookmark exactly where they left off, and most importantly look up unknown or unfamiliar words with an online dictionary. Lamb's article excited about reading and the fact that because of technology reading can become so much more than just a linear piece. After reading this article, I have to say I want an iPad so much more, because of the online reading. I want to have access to look up words and highlight main ideas. I think that's why reading really turned me off; I just would get so distracted and lost. I think that because technology is enhancing reading it will become more of an experience for people that struggle or find reading to be boring. Thank you, Technology!


Question #1: By the time I become a teacher, what will reading be like?
Although, I don't have the exact answer to this, I believe that reading (because of technology) will involve a lot more people. Finding someone who doesn't enjoy reading will become harder and harder, because reading will be more than just sitting down and simply reading a book, it will become a dimensional and attention getting experience. It will involve several parts of the brain instead of just one or two. Students will be not only be hearing the story, but seeing it, analyzing it, thinking it, and much more. I can't even begin to imagine what reading will be like in next two some years. I'm excited.

 Question #2: How will digital reading affect the students and how they learn?
I think that because of the advancements that are going on today, children are able to learn quicker than they were before. Students will have some many more ways of accessing information and it will be a lot more involving for them. Children won't stop learning at school, they will come home and work on their parent's iPad and learn new words and stimulate their minds through online games. Technology has so much for us, the real question is how will you use it?

Journal #8: Adaptive Technology

Communication:

AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) provides strategies that assists people with severe communication disabilities so that the individuals can participate more in social activities such as education, employment, and with interactions between others.

No/low Tech Tool:

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS): this system uses pictures instead of words to help a child communicate. This is specifically designed for Autistic children, who have delays in their communication skills as well as children with communication deficits. PECS is mainly used for individuals who do not speak or limited speech capacity. In a classroom, PECS would be used to know what the child wants and needs. The student would give the picture of the item they want to the teacher, who then gave the item to them. PECS helps to eliminate the gap that is formed when students can not communicate. After the students understands the process it will be very beneficial to the student.

 High Tech Tool:

The BIGmack Communicator: is large scale buttons that assist students with speech and/or language disorders, who are blind or have low vision. or have mobility difficulties. The BIGmack allows the teacher to record a message up to 2 minutes that the student can listen to again and again by pushing the button. The BIGmack can be used with compatible toys or appliance with the cable that is usually included. When I went and observed a special education classroom, a student was using the BIGmack Communicator. She was immobile and the buttons could be attached to her wheelchair. She struggled with both fine and gross motor skills, so the buttons were near her head and she could then tap the button with her head or look in the direction of her choice. The teacher was assisting her and talking to her along the way. She was working on writing a prompt about what they had done that day in class.


Accessibility:

Alternative input devices allows there to be other options for students who can't or struggle with using the keyboard and pointer (mouse).

Hardware Tool:


Joystick: which allows students to use their hand, chin, feet, etc. to control the cursor on the screen. I think this a fabulous tool to use if students are struggling with their fine motor skills and need a bigger device than just a mouse to control the cursor. There also joystick that can be operated by the mouth, which can allow lots of students to use the computer. These joysticks could replace mice for the computer to allow students to use the computer: explore websites and play games.

Software Tool:

Blooming Kids Software: this software is an online installation teaching tool that offers 37 individualized and growing educational programs. The program is designed to children with Autism or PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder). Within the software there are three programs, "mouse training", "painting", and "wooden puzzles". Each program teaches the child to point, click, and drag. There is also a program called "Talking Machine" that helps children improve their communication skills. The program uses pictures and animations as well as voicing the item to help the child learn the word or phrase. This program can help a child become familiar with a computer as well as improving their communication, comprehension, problem-solving skills, as well as many others. In the classroom, this program will stimulate the student's mind and it also keeps track of the student's progress throughout the program and builds on it.

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