Day 1: IPads are Awesome and iMovie Rocks!

Time for another Assistive Technology blog! I am almost finished my MEd in Inclusive Education, and I am currently enrolled in an Assistive Technology course that focuses on learning and leisure. Last summer, I took an Assistive Technology course that focused on literacy, which was full of invaluable information and resources. If you would like insight into what I learned in my previous Assistive Tech course, check out the blog I created: www.laceyteach.blogspot.com

It is day 1, so I wasn't very excited travelling to class today; however, it didn't take too long to get excited about using Ipads as an assistive technology tool, again! For our first hands-on activity, we looked at an app called iMovie. This is an app that allows students to create a movie trailers....and as a teacher, the possibilities for using this app are endless! The following is a video that shows you how to use this app: it is so easy!

We had an opportunity to explore this app in class today, and we were able to complete a full movie trailer in less than 30 minutes!

While I was creating this trailer, I was constantly leaving the app to search the internet for pictures and videos that I could use in my trailer. I also wanted to take a look through my camera roll on my IPad to include some personal pictures into my trailer! There was a video that I wanted to include that was on my husband's iPhone, so I emailed him to ask him to send me the video...talk about convergence of technology.

Convergence of Technologies
This phrase, "convergence of technologies", was introduced to us today, and it refers to many tasks coming together on one mobile device. I was able to use information from multiple sources to create my trailer...just think of how this can benefit students!

Think about this...
As you sit here, reading through this blog, you are receiving information that I am communicating to you. Communication; have you ever thought about what is involved with communicating? I thought about that today, and decided that to communicate something means to share ideas, express yourself, and provide information. I was a bit narrow minded, as I only thought about one side! To have effective communication, there are 3 key things that you need:

1. Common language

2. A communication partner

3. Joint attention

This makes me think about myself as a teacher. I know there are times where I am standing at the front of the class, trying to provide information to eager learners, and some of that information does not reach my students. Why? Well, maybe the language I use is not common? Maybe I don't have their attention? Communication is a very key part of being a teacher, so it is interesting that I have never thought about what communication means. Something to ponder.




One more thing...

Take a look at the following story....if you are not convinced that assistive technology is a wonderful thing, I am sure this story will change your mind. Giving people a voice is a powerful gift.