Overview of MSU ED521 (F3)

At the start of this course, I stated that technology gotten away from me (in the last eleven years).  In that time frame, I earned my second BS and have worked and am still working in an area that is quite low-tech.  Scary as this sounds, I have always been considered quite “techy” compared to other Speechies that I've worked with.  I was able to stay in my comfort zone, but that is a dangerous place to be.  By taking this course, I had to step outside of that comfort zone.  

Through Ed521, I've had the opportunity to experience working with different websites, tools, and apps that I was unaware of.  Some I feel more comfortable with than others.   Some will take more "sandbox" time.  I am so excited about the new resources that I've learned about and different way to integrate them.  

Since I am not a classroom teacher, I will be using the knowledge learned from Ed521 a bit differently.  Working for a Special Ed. Unit in a rural area, I'm especially excited about the possible uses for Google Hangouts and Doodle Poll.  These are two resources that could be of great benefit to our entire unit especially since we are so rural and in recent years have experienced a large population increase.

As Speechies, a lot of the work we do is with older students in the area of social communication.  As a result of taking this course, I have started to ponder the role of speechies now and in the future.  At present time, we cover such topics as eye contact, vocal tone, volume, body language, etc.  What about the social rules of communication on or socially appropriate uses of electronic devices? 

As a Speechie, I also work with students in the areas of science and social studies.  Some of this is assistance with vocabulary and study skills/studying, but we also lend support services to what the teacher is covering in the classroom.  As more and more teachers become proficient 21st Century Educators, Speechies too must become 21st Century Educators in order for carry over to occur.  

Life Expectancy of Textbooks (A17)

Are textbooks going to survive the digital age?  As time goes by, the new advances in technology seem to make this appear less and less likely.  Students are able to access a wealth of information on a given topic through the use of technology.   They hover over a word and have it pronounced, defined, and access more resources/tools related to it (maps, videos, etc).

Having taught in a poverty stricken area, a concern that I have is in regards to students from low-income homes many of which do not even own a computer or personal device.  Often times many of these students attend schools in low-income districts where resources may be limited.  I think until a solution can be found to address this issue, actual textbooks may be around for a little while.  I do expect with time though that they will disappear.  Someday, children may not have the joy of sniffing the smell of a brand new textbook, paperback, or magazine or crawling under the bed covers with a flashlight and a book after bedtime.

We will still read, but the source of reading will be different.  We could compare it to the changes in the telephone:  crank phones, party-line phones (with rotary dials), private-line phones, cordless push-button phones, bag phones, handheld cell phone devices.

Change is coming.  Are we willing to change with it?

Libraries in the Future (A19)

The last time that I went into a public library was three and half years ago.  I went to there to check out books because our Head Start had a very limited number of books on any given topic or appropriate for story time.  Some of the books that I wanted, I had to do an inter-library loan for and then waited 3-5 days for them to come in.  Also, there were times that the book I wanted was checked out and was late in being returned.  It took a considerable amount of pre-planning for the books that I wanted to share with the children on any given unit/topic.  

I noticed that many of the individuals using the library were probably from lower income homes. The vehicles in the parking lot also provided evidence of this.  I noticed that some of the individuals were impaired (hearing, cognitive, physically, etc.)  They had come there to use the internet, read the newspapers/magazines, check out materials and some went into little rooms where they could listen to cassettes/CD's or watch movies.  Some of these individuals needed quite a bit of assistance.   

Digital libraries would allow numerous people access to the same book, magazine, etc. at the same time.  For students doing research, they would have access to a wealth of information.  Teachers would have unlimited access to videos to share with their students.  Digital libraries would allow for instant access to a needed source. 

I would hope that an actual public library building would continue to exist in the future. There are always going to be people with limited financial resources, the elderly, and the impaired.   With technology changing so quickly, it would be hard if not impossible for these populations to be completely successful on their own.  For myself, the first time I entered that library I too needed assistance with checking to see if they had the book, whether or not it was in, or when I had to do an inter-library loan.  After using the library system a few times, I too became functionally proficient; still every once in awhile; I had a question or two. 

Thus, I believe that the actual library building and the librarians will continue in the future, however: I do believe that the library building may change and the librarians' roles may change some.  The librarian will continue to assist people with technology.   The actual library building at some point may be smaller in size, but I do believe that they will still exist.

My Success Story (F2)

My Google site has been a great asset to me professionally.  I already know the changes that I want to make.   The "Useful Links" tab has made locating online therapy games easier, but I want it to be even easier.  Speechies within my Special Ed. Unit commented that they want me to continue to add to the site and have offered suggestions about future updates.  One page that they would like to see added is a home therapy page.

This page would contain activities/links for parents to assist their child with artic activities at home. A page like this would allow parents to reinforce their child's remediation at home outside school hours and continue it over the summers.  It would also be beneficial to children who are weak in some artic areas but do not qualify for services.

Though I am not a case manager, I did share the sample Doodle Poll for scheduling an IEP meeting for student XYZ that I created for this class.  The Speech-Language Coordinator for our Special Ed. Unit was very impressed and passed along the email so that all the speechies in the Unit had the opportunity to participate.  A few days later, she was out at one of my school sites and I shared with her the poll results.  Of course with an IEP meeting, there are some individuals whose attendance is more essential due to their specialty than others.  Also, this is where Google Hangouts could be an option due to the distance that some specialist have to travel and the scheduling element.

Through taking this class, I have learned about different sites and how to use different apps/tools. Some of these will take a bit of  "sandbox" time before I feel truly proficient.  I do love sharing what I've learned or resources with fellow speechies, teachers, & family members.

Maybe, I should have titled this, My Success Stories.

My Top 10 Take Aways & Thoughts (F1)

1.  Doodle - Awesome!  I can see the convenience for scheduling IEP's.
2.  Google Forms - I especially enjoy the surveys!
3.  Cloud Storage - I'm tired of lost thumb drives or finding the right one.
4.  Diigo - Awesome!  Love the ability to highlight, add notes, & save for a re-read or share
5.  Grammarly - Where was this when I went to college?
6.  Google Hangout - Though it is not IVN, it did come in handy on 2/26.  Since some of my adult children live far away, I am anxious to try it out at Easter.  I enjoyed doing a Hangout with my 3-year old grandson two weeks ago.
7.  Child Safe Search Engines (Google Junior/Kid Rex) - I wish I had known about them about 12 years ago when I co-taught an After School Technology Class.
8.  Google Site - I already know the changes that I want to make, but the "Useful Links" tab has made locating online therapy games easier.  Speechies within my Special Ed. Unit commented that they want me to continue to add to the site and have offered suggestions about future updates.
9.  Blog-spot - I enjoy reading other people's blogs especially speech-language therapy related. Writing one...not so much.  But, I can see the educational advantage for students to do journals, creative writing, etc.
10.  Twitter - Love following certain hash tags and observing chats as they unfold.  But actively participating, that was nerve racking.  I'm a reflective thinker and just need time.  So, let me get back to you on that.

21st Century Learners (A16)

As educators (elementary, high school, college), we try to prepare our students to become productive adult members of society.  Part of that preparation includes the responsible use of technology.  In order for students to be 21st century learners, teachers must first be willing to become 21st century learners.  Meaning, teachers must be willing learn new technology.   It is easy for a teacher to operate in their comfort zone, but being a teacher means that you are constantly learning.   About twenty years ago, the internet was very new.  Now, it is almost impossible to function as an educator without it.  Technology is always changing (new apps, devices, tools, programs, etc).  Educators need to be willing to learn, adapt, and share their knowledge that with their students.  When teachers are able to incorporate new technology in their lessons and provide a safe "sandbox" for their students to demonstrate their ability to use it and create a project with it, they will move towards becoming 21st century educators.  We are not teaching our students for today; we are preparing our students for their tomorrows.

The Value of Twitter (A14)

If someone had told me in Dec. 2014 that I'd be Tweeting in two months, I would have said ya right. Now that I've played around in the Twitter "sandbox", I've found that it is quite useful.   I enjoy the ability to network with individuals of the same study.  Articles, research, ideas, techniques, and information are shared through networking.

Especially in smaller, remote rural school districts, there is usually only one Speechie who serves the school.  Thus, collaboration with fellow Speechies is rather limited.   Having serviced one such school for three years, I can testify to some of these challenges.  Though I work for a special ed. unit and have a supervisor, we still encounter challenges.

Among my favorite has tags are #SLPeeps, #SLP, #SLT, #WeSpeechies, #SLTchat, #slpbloggers.
Find me on twitter:  https://twitter.com/slpptchr .