iPads for Special Needs Kids

When you begin blogging about your passion, you realize that your work really does have a purpose.  That was the way I felt yesterday when a parent called me about getting an iPad for his daughter.  We had a chance to talk technology and he shared a website about iPad apps for special needs kids

http://blog.easystand.com/2010/05/ipad-apps-for-kids-with-special-needs/  I know that this is just the beginning.  But the fact that folks are developing applications with disabled children in mind is truly rewarding to this life-long special educator.

A Day Made of Glass--By Corning Glass

Okay, so what does glass have to do with special education?  Quite a bit if you view the YouTube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Cf7IL_eZ38  Now, just think of the possibilities...this is a totally interactive communication environment.  Disabled students who are relying on flip books to make their wants and needs known, need only touch the interactive digital links--on the countertop, on the fridge, anywhere.  Big Mac switch, move over.  The incredible thing is that this "window into the future" is really not so "futuristic" at all.  I guess it is how I felt when I went from the sliderule to the calculator.  The possibilities now are truly infinite.  Let's make sure that our students with disabilities have access to the "glass."

Be Prepared!

Can we every to too prepared for life's many challenges?  This thought has been on my mind quite a bit lately as I see my aging parents requiring more and more of me.  But the notion of being prepared for transitions must always be on the minds of parents of children with disabilities.  Transition planning is becoming the basis of the IEP.  Fewer references to NBA and NFL futures are making it into the documents; more realistic choices about post-secondary training, education, and employment are appearing.  If you have been following Charles Fox's blog , Special Education Law Blog (linked at right) you know that transition assessments are critical to the process.  He provided a link to a laundry list of transition checklists and assessments to get good student input.  As special educators and administrators, I hope we can use the many tools now available to make their post-secondary transition as smooth as it can be.

No more pencils, no more books...

Henrico County Schools will make learning digital next year by having students access textbook material through iPads and iPods.  This school division was the first in the nation to provide laptops to every high school and middle school student.  According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the superintendent hopes to provide "tablet computers" to students within the next two years.

This initiative will mean that teaching and learning can be cutting edge--students might even read their assignments on an iPad.  Way to go Henrico!

Later...I learned from a colleague who worked in Henrico that many of the laptops which were purchased through a grant were subject to misuse and many were sold by students.  If so, going digital will mean that the school division will need to put strict policies in place to protect this investment.

The Lure of the Blog

What is it about having a blog that wakes me up at night with new ideas to post?  Yeah, me, the person that could never imagine even reading a blog let alone having one... 

Last night I was thinking about the new blog I am following about special education law:  http://specialedlaw.blogs.com/home/.  In a new post, this Chicago attorney with a child with disabilities of his own, was writing about classroom "injuries." And how did I come across this interesting blog?  It was a link from another blog I am reading.  And so it goes.  I've found that the beauty in reading blogs is to find out what others are reading.  I think I have taken the bait.

Getting to the CORE

My school division is a Virginia pilot for Response to Intervention.  Each school has an RtI team which functions as a steering committee, data analysis team, and cheerleader for the project.  I am fortunate to be a member of a great group of professional educators, who bring their many perspectives and talents to the table.  Yesterday we met to quickly review the Universal Screening data from the winter administration and to define "core" instruction.  This is more difficult than it seems.  "Core" instruction can mean something different to each teacher.  A guiding principle of RtI is to have a strong core of instruction so that at least 80% of the students are meeting curricular benchmarks without direct intervention.  That DOES NOT mean that the teacher does not differentiate instruction in the classroom!  The chair had polled all of the teachers to get their "core" definition and we charted their responses.  Collaboratively we defined core instruction.  So, using my newly acquired skills with Sliderocket, I created a presentation...
http://portal.sliderocket.com/ANWCY/My-Presentation-1  The principal will be using it at the next faculty meeting.  I think Sliderocket is a great way to jazz up a presentation or training module.  Your comments, please...

Houston, I think we have a go...

I'm taking an Ed Tech class through VCU--very interesting stuff.  I am constantly amazed at the possibilities that will significantly improve learning experiences for students with disabilities--and now, for their special education teachers, too.

I am becoming an "expert" on a web 2.0 tool called "sliderocket."  I am able to import power point presentations, make them interactive, and then publish.  I can create special education modules that case managers may view on their own--without leaving class to come to the central office for training.  Sliderocket has polling features, a comments section, and allows for audio feeds.  I may never have to fire up the LCD projector again!  The basic Sliderocket application is free.  So Google it, create an account, import your slides, add some graphics, pictures, videos, audio...and let the fun begin!

My First IDEAs

Welcome to MyIDEAs a blog especially created for special education administrators and teachers.  Special educators have unique perspectives and job demands--the paperwork--the meetings--integrating the general curriculum.  There are few blogs just for us.  I would like to share my 30+ years of experience from PL 94-142 to Response to Intervention.  I want to learn more about how you are using web 2.0 tools to enhance the educational experience for students with disabilities.  Please share your interests and innovations--your IDEAs may mean a child finds success in the classroom.

We all know that technology is the great equalizer for students with disabilities.  Check out the Video Bar at right.  These educators are increasing student participation, helping parents work with their children at home, and have found other innovative ways to use iPods in their classrooms.  Are you using cutting edge technology with your SpEd students?