C Butler AT 5163: December 2008

Farewell AT 5163 Message

Welcome to my blog. This is my last reflective entry for the course AT 5163. I included two graphic organizers. The first mind map indicates what I processed from observing the students presentations of our 03December08 and 10December08 classes. I created the second mind map to help me write the summary for my own case study. I also added the outline, I was able to produce using the Inspiration 8 program, that allowed me to write the summary more efficiently.

Now I am looking forward to enhancing the educational opportunities of the students of my school utilizing the Assistive Technology and programs that are available to us. Thank you to Barb, Anita and class members who helped me during the semester. Enjoy your Christmas break!

Case Study Outline

AT 5163 Case Study Exit Project
I. 1. Description Personality primary user
A. Goal oriented
B. Committed to lifetime learning
C. Data driven
D. Student success via AT
E. Technology skills improving
F. Visual learner
G. Attention issues
II. 2. Description Milieu primary user
A. Support systems
1. BW, AK, my school population (staff, students, CB
B. School program support needs to be organized
1. Where is the AT?
III. 3. Description Inspiration 8
A. AT graphic organizer tool
1. Can create outline for writing
B. User friendly
IV. 4. Process Matching primary user to AT
A. Use Ms Word to make GO for 1st blog
1. BW suggested using Inspiration 8
a. Inspiration previously too scary
(1) Decided to use it again
V. 5. Appropriate Match of AT to Primary User
A. Visual learner
1. Love Graphic organizers
a. Attention issues
VI. 6. Work samples of Before and After AT
A. Before: BBL project GO
1. Using AT: NRCS GOs
VII. 7. Knowledge of how to use AT
A. Prior knowledge of GO
1. Inspiration challenging at first
VIII. 8. Primary Secondary Users comments of AT use and application
A. Student A
B. Student B
1. Finds programs for me
C. Staff A
1. Use with students
D. Helped to calm
IX. 9. Reflection of what worked; what didn't work; and why in relation to MPT model
A. Biggest challenge - exporting to other programs
B. More user friendly outlines
C. Helps to focus students
D. Students love Inspiration
X. 10. Future recommendations
A. Continue to use myself
B. Encourage students to use Inspiration
1. Word of mouth
C. Great tool for science fairs
XI. 11. Presentation: well formatted, free of errors, creative
A. Edit myself
B. Someone else edit
C. Follow plan
D. Use BBL strategies
XII. 12. 2 page written summary; well formatted, free or errors
A. Use Inspiration 8 Outline
B. Times New Roman 12
C. Edit! Edit! Edit!
Post work that is not confidential
Use with staff

A rewarding experience

One of the students at my school was having a particularly challenging day on Friday. With a history of losing his temper and 'blowing up', his teacher was understandably concerned when his eyes told the story of his frustration with completing the class writing assignment. My assistance is requested more and more often with these situations as I fill my role as program and guidance support teacher. But I was especially appreciative of the opportunity to help this student because he reminded me the beautiful rewards of a career in education.

The student was unable to start to write a story about himself, particularly how to begin the composition. Well, assistive technology came to the rescue, namely what has become my favorite program – Inspiration. I showed him the mind maps I created for my blog and, then, I explained how he can use the program to make his own bubble map. In no time at all, he started to create his own high-quality graphic organizer. He was obviously enjoying the activity and even wanted to spend the recess and lunch breaks in my office so he could enhance his work. I am willing to bet that he will approach me again on Monday and ask when he can continue the activity. Yes, Friday was a wonderful day to be a teacher.

A Week of Extensive Learning

This has been a week of excellent learning opportunities. The AT 5163 class on Wednesday night included Cloze Pro information and practice. Friday brought me a presentation that related recent brain research (a special educational interest of mine) to a new approach for students with behavior issues. And, today I participated in a session that changed my belief about effective individual program plan composition. If novelty prevents the brains mechanisms from aging, my neurons must think that they are teenagers.

As a new program/guidance support teacher, I am constantly learning how to properly execute my duties to meet my responsibilities. Although the process is exhausting, I am blest with much support from the other staff members at my school. For example, the newspaper club members (and teacher) will scan assignments to be used with the Kurzweil program at my school. Also, another teacher has expressed an interested to team teach with me so we can make better use of the technology at our school.

I love using graphic organizers

Putting my thoughts into words has always been challenging for me. In fact, the ability to create a quality composition is one of the biggest educational goals for me to meet. I feel anxious whenever I am asked to write a story, or even a paragraph, without the opportunity to edit my work. Then my mind seems to go blank and my product does not reflect my abilities. This process does not help my confidence at all. With our increased dependence on email messaging I have found it even more necessary to deal with my writing angst.

Maybe this explains why I love using graphic organizers so much. It is so much easier to express my ideas when I can use visuals to my words. In fact, I even plan each month as a program support/guidance support teacher with the use of a mind maps. It is the only way that I can get my head around responsibilities like Community of Schools Referrals. Guess I think much differently than most other teachers.

The vast opportunities for my students through the use of the all the assistive technology we are experiencing in this course excites me. My goal is to inspire my each of my students by utilizing methods to make learning attainable for him or her.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.