Class # 1

April 2nd - Class # 1

• I left our first class feeling inspired to use more technology in my practice, not only for struggling students but for the entire class. There was always something holding me back from truly making the jump to technology implementation in my classroom, mainly a lack of confidence. I am very fortunate to be working in a board where technology is a top priority as well as administrators who manages to provide the latest technologies for student use. 
• I have one student with a language-based LD who is learning to use an iPad to assist with spelling and reading. She currently feels uncomfortable using the iPad in class since she is the only one. My goal is the have more iPads in the classroom on a regular basis (my school has 150 to sign out) and to make my student feel comfortable and at ease.

Assistive Technology

• My group was in charge of defining "assistive technology". 
• AT is considered an umbrella term since the definition is so broad.
• AT is a device that is assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative.
• AT also includes having the ability to select, locate, and use a given device.
• AT promotes independence by making tasks easier to accomplish.

Lightbulb Moment

• I connected most with when we explored the term "presumed competence". As teachers we try to motivate and encourage all our students to work to their potential. When we have a student with a disability, they can develop a sense of incompetence or have a dismissal of potential or ability. Those feelings can also come from parents and teachers. 
• The idea of presumed competence is that we need to assume a student has intellectual ability, provide opportunities to be exposed to learning, and assume the child wants to learn, no matter the disability.

I found a wonderful video demonstrating the close connection between assistive technology and presumed competence. Elle's story proves that most students have the ability to communicate and function independently within the learning environment, it is a matter of finding the proper means to extract it.
Follow the link below to watch Elle's story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g95TO20hnmo