Summer 2013

newsletter banner summer 2013

Article Links

 

Ablenet University  

 

Digital Tools and Bloom's Taxonomy  

 

Computer Programing and Coding as a Second Language   

 

Udacity Online Learning     

 

2013-2014 Events

 

Conferences

 

FAEDS (register)
September 22-25, 2013

FCEC (register)
October 17-19, 2013

FOTA (register)
November 8-9

ATIA (register)
January 28-
February 1, 2014

FETC (register)
January 28-31, 2014

 

 
TLC Regional Meetings

Region 1 
September 6, 2013 
May 2, 2014

Region 2 
October 29, 2013 
May 9, 2014

Region 3 
September 19, 2013 
April 11, 2014

Region 4 
October 4, 2013 
April 25, 2014

Region 5 
September 13, 2013 
February 28, 2014 

 

Links

 

Technology & Learning Connections Website  

 

Florida's MTSS Technical Assistance Contacts 

 

CPALMS 

 

AT & UDL Loan Library 

    

Code Academy

Mental Case

The Social Express

Howcast

DropVox

FilemakerGo11

WebAim

 

Exploring Technology & Learning Connections 


people with gears
"Technology & Learning Connections - MTSS: Increasing student 
achievement through the systemic alignment of technology, policies, 
and curriculum in a multi-tiered system of supports." 

Join Our Mailing List
ablenetAblenet University     

Ablenet University is providing numerous FREE live webinars throughout the summer months covering a range of topics on AT and AAC . In addition to the live webinars Ablenet University also has a large archive of on-demand and FREE webinars available to view at your convenience. Next upcoming webinar:


July 30, 2013 11:30am CST - 60 minutes
Title: Session 3: Overview of Coaching Skills to Support AT Use
Category: Assistive Technology
Presenter: Gayl Bowser, Assistive Technology Collaborations

 

For more information or a complete listing of available courses visit:

http://www.ablenetinc.com/Professional-Development

35 Digital Tools That Work With Bloom's Taxonomy 
http://www.edudemic.com/ article by Felecia Young

 

Integrating technology in the classroom and engaging students in higher-order thinking creates the ultimate learning experience for students. Teachers who combine Bloom's Taxonomy and digital tools are able to create an environment where students are actively engaged in their assignments. The following is a list of digital tools as it relates to Bloom's Taxonomy:

 

1. Creating - In creating, students create projects that involve video editing, storytelling, video casting, podcasting, and animating. Digital tools that allow students to create include: Story Kit, Comic Life, iMovie, GoAnimate, SonicPics, Fotobabble, and Sock Puppet.

2. Evaluating - In evaluating, students show their understanding of a topic or participate in evaluating a peer's understanding of a topic. Digital tools to allow students to evaluate include: Google Docs, Poll Everywhere, Socrative, BrainPop, and Today's Meet.

3. Analyzing - In analyzing, students complete tasks that involve structuring, surveying, outlining, and organizing. Digital tools to allow students to analyze include: Corkboard, SurveyMonkey, Study Blue, Keynote, and Stickyboard.

4. Applying - In applying, students illustrate, present, demonstrate, and simulate concepts and information. Digital tools that allow students to apply include: ScreenChomp, QuickVoice, Podomatic, and Skype.

5. Understanding - In understanding, students explain, blog, subscribe, categorize, annotate, and tweet. Digital tools to allow students to understand include: PowerPoint, Google Blogs, Bit.ly, Twitter, and neu.Annotate.

6. Remembering - In remembering, students recall, bookmark, list, search, create mindmaps, and write. Digital tools to allow students to remember include: Pages and Wordle.

*Some of the digital tools were repeated in multiple categories and duplicates were removed.

Integrate iPads Into Bloom's Digital Taxonomy With This 'Padagogy Wheel'  

http://www.edudemic.com/ posted by Jeff Dunn

 

Created by Allan Carrington, The Padagogy Wheel takes an expanded approach to Bloom's Digital Taxonomy and offers 62 iPad apps that fit into Bloom's Taxonomy. Carrington notes that not every app is perfect and that there's always room to improve.  

padagogy
CodingComputer Programming and Coding as a Second Language    
binary
Is it possible that one day second language requirements for students will no longer be limited to foreign languages, but also include the the language of computer coding? Computer coding has changed significantly since programmers first sat down and starting typing what seemed to be series of random 1s and 0s.  Coding ability was limited to very few.    

html


Next came HTML and Java. While these languages make more sense than a series of random 1s and 0s, they still require a vast knowledge base, patience, and time to write line after line after line of code.



However, thanks to companies like LEGO, coding is starting to become a tool for everyone. In LEGO's education program, students use a system of drag and drop blocks to program robotics. What used take days or even months to code, such as a simple action of telling the computer to tell the robot to lift its arm, can now be accomplished in seconds.

The Scratch Program, developed by MIT, operates similarly to the LEGO type coding systems. However, unlike LEGO, it is not tied to a specific product. The Scratch program is free and allows users opportunities to explore a variety of coding options without limiting their creations.

The video below offers a very interesting perspective on coding.
Mitch Resnick: Let's teach kids to code
Mitch Resnick: Let's teach kids to code

For more advanced and independent learners there are free resources available that bring coding to the average person. A good example is Code Academy.  This free online resource gives step-by-step directions and tutorials while participants work on a variety of projects. Content includes:

  • Web Fundamentals: Teaches the building blocks of web development with HTML, CSS, style and design and users can create their own website by the end of the course.
  • jQuery: Teaches how to build interactive websites including moving HTML elements around, building custom animations, and letting your users affect your site with a mouse clicks.
  • JavaScript: Teaches the JavaScript programming language that makes websites interactive including programming basics, developing JS apps, and building games.
  • Projects: The projects section allows users to utilize HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and jQuery knowledge to create a variety of personalized web applications.
  • Python: Learn the fundamentals of Python and dynamic programming including programming basics, all-purpose language, and dynamic programming.
  • Ruby: This section provides resources for Ruby fundamentals, syntax, and rapid prototyping.
  • PHP: This section provides resources for server-side scripting, web development, and additional resources for dynamic web pages.
  • APIs: Write an app and connect it to the world! This section provides resources on writing code that read tweets, make phone calls, and track clicks on your site's links
udacityUdacity Online Learning: 
High School to Professionals   
Udacity (https://www.udacity.com/) is an online course designed for high school students looking to get ahead before going to college, college students looking for affordable and engaging alternatives, and professionals looking to update their skills or shift careers by learning modern technologies and skills. Participants can work for a certificate of completion free of charge or pay for courses that will lead to college credit or CEUs. Industry experts and educators teach these courses. The lessons include interactive, project-based exercises, and bite-sized videos. They are centered on real world examples where students learn in context and attend virtual "field trips". Learning is self-paced and students are able to monitor their progress using the built in course management features. Courses include: 
  • Introduction to Computer Science
  • Introduction to Physics
  • Introduction to Statistics
  • Intro Algebra Review
  • Visualizing Algebra
  • College Algebra
  • Introduction to Programming in Java
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Statistics, Algorithms
  • Differential Equations in Action
  • Web Development
  • HTML5 Game Development  
  • Software Testing
  • Software Debugging
  • Programming Languages
  • Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
  • Interactive 3D Graphics
  • Intro to Theoretical Computer Science
  • How to Build a Startup
  • Design of Computer Programs
  • Intro to Parallel Programming
  • Functional Hardware Verification
  • Artificial Intelligence for Robotics
  • Applied Cryptography

There is An App for That!

mental case
Mental Case: Allows users to create their own flashcards and include audio, images, and text. It includes integrated downloads from flashcardexchange.com and quizlet.com, enabling users to have free access to millions of sets of flash cards. The system uses algorithms based on the Supermemo program to ensure maximum memory retention for the time spent studying.
social express

The Social Express: Designed for children and young adults with social learning challenges, this app is designed to teach users how to think about and manage social situations.  
howcast

Howcast: Provides useful and fun how-to videos on a wide range of topics. The videos can viewed, shared, and saved.
dropvox

 

DropVox: No more converting student speech sessions to M4A and trying to download, save, or send the files. This voice memo sends audio directly to your Dropbox in M4A format.

filemaker

FilemakerGo11: Easily view, edit and search for your information. Many FileMaker Pro features such as portals, Tab Controls, Quick Find, Web Viewers, Charts and most scripts work the same on FileMaker Go.

Resources

"Most people today can hardly conceive of life without the internet. It provides access to news, email, shopping, and entertainment, at any hour of the day or night. Some have argued that no other single invention has been more revolutionary since Gutenberg's printing press in the 1400s. Now, at the click of a mouse, the world can be "at your fingertips"-that is, if you can use a mouse... and see the screen... and hear the audio-in other words, if you don't have a disability of any kind (http://webaim.org/)."

 

WebAim is a website dedicated to making the web accessible for everyone. It offers a variety of information and tools for developers, educators, and the general public alike on how to design or make your website accessible. It also provides tools to determine if the websites you are using are accessible.     

Our Partners

The TLC Team includes 5 Regional Technology Coordinators, 5 Regional Technology Specialists, and 5 Regional Local Assistive Technology Specialists (RLATS).  

 

Our local service partners include:  

 

The Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System (FDLRS): providing services in the areas of Childfind, HRD, Parent Services, and Technology; including local TA&D, professional development, and capacity building in the areas

of accessible instructional materials, assistive & Instructional

 technologies, UDL, and virtual learning.

 

Local Assistive Technology Specialists (LATS): providing local support for assistive technology assessments, evaluations, and related assistive technology services.

 

 

Together we are working to help all schools implement a universal, differentiated core curriculum based on the Common Core State Standards.   

This newsletter was funded by the Florida Department of Education Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services through federal assistance under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), Part B funds. The information included does not reflect any specific endorsement by any parties involved. Please email Gary Pearcy for further information.