Software Evaluation

Kid Pix is a great drawing program that is useful for young children.  On this program, students are able to create pictures or graphic organizers.  Students may draw, paint, use rubber stamps, and insert text into their work.  This software may be used by an individual student or collaboratively and could be integrated into any subject matter.  Go to http://www.k12.hi.us/~mstlaure/tlcf2000/fun_kidpix.htm for a how-to of how to use the program.  You need the software to actually complete the activity, but this gives you an idea of what the software looks like.  There are many versions of Kid Pix including Kid Pix Studio Deluxe and Kid Pix Deluxe 4.  This software is kid friendly and includes such aspects as "Undo Guy", which has the typical features of the undo button.  Kid Pix is highly interactive and has a high degree of user control.  It can be used by students of many different learning abilities.  I would highly recommend using this software in the classroom.

Image from: http://www.k12.hi.us/~mstlaure/tlcf2000/fun_kidpix.htm

Technology in Kindergarten

As a Kindergarten team, we have been discussing ways to integrate more technology into our classrooms.  We have recently discussed the many different technologies available through Leap Frog, which can be found at: http://shop.leapfrog.com/leapfrog/?storeId=store_us. 

One particular technology, the Tag School Reader System includes a device that looks like a pen that students use to touch the words on a book (specific books must be used with this tool).  The device, which can be hooked up to headphones, then reads the words for the student.  This would be a great way to differentiate for our students, because not only are there a variety of books for different interest levels, but also for different reading abilities.  By purchasing a classroom bundle of these, multiple students could have access to them during our literacy block.  To learn more about the Tag School Reader System, go to: http://www.leapfrog.com/school/main_pages/tag_school_main.html. 

Students are becoming more and more comfortable with and knowledgeable about technology at a young age and integrating technology into literacy instruction will be interesting to them and will motivate them to learn more.   

Image from: http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/clip/cmpsilho.html

SMART Boards

I have had the opportunity to have a SMART Board in my Kindergarten classroom for the past two years.  Many people often ask, “What is a SMART Board?”.  I explain it as an interactive white board that is hooked up to my computer.  Anything that I create or do on my computer is then projected onto the SMART Board.  Students and teachers are able to operate the computer simply by touching the SMART Board.  They may access the Internet, use word processing tools, or use the SMART Board software to create files.  There are many brands of interactive white boards, and this is the brand that we use in our district.    

We use our SMART Boards for large and small group instruction as well as give students the opportunity to use them during math and reading centers and free choice time.  For example, in reading I have made games where students are doing word sorts.  They are given a variety of words with short e and short a in the middle and they need to sort the words to the correct category by moving them with their finger. 

While it is relatively easy for teachers to create files to use with their students, it can also be quite time consuming.  One great website available is http://exchange.smarttech.com/.  Teachers may search for lesson plans and files available based on topic, lesson, and/or grade.  You need to download the SMART Board software in order to fully utilize this site.  Another helpful website is http://teachingwithsmartboard.com/.  The authors of this site include helpful podcasts that explain how to use various aspects of the SMART Board.  An Internet search will often lead to sites such as the following:  http://faculty.usiouxfalls.edu/arpeterson/smartboard.htm that include links to various SMART Board sites as well as online educational games that students can play. 

Having a SMART Board in my classroom has greatly enhanced my students’ education.  Incorporating 21^st century literacy skills is very important for students of all ages.  My students are avid and informed users of this piece of technology and are able to use it to learn across the curriculum.

Graphic found at: http://smartboards.typepad.com/smartboard/2008/03/smart-board-art.html

Assistive Technologies

 The Iowa Department of Education defines an assistive technology device as “any item, pieceof equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability” (Definition found at: http://www.iowa.gov/educate/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=572&Itemid=16073).  This website also lists federal regulations, state rules, as well as links to other web sites that are helpful to educators and parents in Iowa.  The use of assistive technologies is beneficial to many students.  Here are a few examples:

Boardmaker is a program which you can use to create educational tools to help students communicate.  I look forward to utilizing boardmaker next year to create a class schedule as well as visual reminders for students in regards to expectations in the classroom (voice off, raise hand to share, etc.).  To learn more about Boardmaker, check out: http://edtech.wetpaint.com/page/Boardmaker.

I have had students who have used a DynaVox in the past and as I have been researching this topic, I am surprised by how many different versions are available.  These can be found at: http://www.abledata.com/abledata.cfm?pageid=19327&ksectionid=0&top=10872&trail=22,10825,10837&discontinued=0.  A DynaVox helps students to become more independent and communicate their wants and needs.  Teachers and students can program information into this machine.  For example, when we have Star of the Week, students can share information about themselves and their families by pushing buttons.

Websites to Attain Assistive Technologies for Students

Iowa Program for Assistive Technology (IPAT) is a great website that includes links to a variety of places to purchase the appropriate assistive technologies.  This site also has a page that helps you to discover which type of assistive technology is the most beneficial for a specific need as well as links to pages that will help you obtain loans to pay for assistive technology.  It can be found at http://www.iowaat.org/.

Iowa Educators Consortium, which is through Iowa Area Education Agencies, has a site in which you can purchase assistive technology and special needs software:  http://www.iec-ia.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/Media%20%26%20Technology%7CAssistive%20Technology%20%26%20Special%20Needs.  These are just two of many sites available online that are helpful in attaining assistive technologies. 

Image taken from: http://search.creativecommons.org/?q=computer