Where is My Thinking Now?

I see a lot of benefits in regards to using Touches to support differentiation.  As stated in my previous post, I really wish I had a Touch for every one of my students.  I have concluded that the use of technology is a powerful tool that can enhance learning for individuals, and be used for differentiation in exponential ways.

However, having only one Touch to share between three students has hindered the time I would have liked to have spent experimenting using the Touch with different individuals at differing levels.  I also brought my iPad to share with the class, but since I was only there two days per week it still wasn't "enough," and the gaps between using the Touch and iPad interrupted the learning that would have would have increased had the technology been available to them all five school days in a row.

With that being said, the questions that have come up while using the Touch this quarter are:  How do we attain the funds to purchase this technology for every student, especially when budgets are being cut so drastically right now?  How do I find apps that target individuals with special needs (like the student I know who's reading level is well below her grade level and is not able to read directions or prompts within apps for math, etc.)?   Are there less expensive ways to put books on the Touch/iPad?  Some of the books I purchased for my students were $10, which adds up really fast.  It would be fantastic to match every book my MT has in her classroom library, with the Touch so the students using the Touch for supported learning have as many option as the students who do not "need" them. (We have found that those who benefit from having the books-on-tape can listen to books via an iPod, but iPods are very limited compared to Touches).

If the only way to obtain funds for technology in the classroom is through grants -  I will need to figure out where to find the grants, and learn how to write a grant proposal.  I think this is where networking will really come in handy.



  

Using Touches for Differentiating Learning

It has been a few months now, since I introduced the Touch to a few of my students.  One student is using it for math, and two are using it for reading.  All three students have been very enthusiastic about using the Touch.  The students who uses for math started to get pretty bored with the flash card game so I added a few more apps for her.  I have had a hard time finding interactive apps at her level, as many of the games require reading instructions often while the user plays the game.  Since her reading level is below her math level it has been hard to find a good match for her.  I think that she is enjoying, and learning from, the games that are currently loaded on the Touch.  However, I would like to have a larger variety for her to choose from.  I am currently working on finding more apps that are at both her reading and math level.

The two students who are using the Touch for reading are very excited to have this option.  They are listening to the books "on tape" and following along with the book on the Touch.  It is perfect for one students because she is able to adjust the font size, making it easier for her to read.  And she said her favorite thing about listening to the book while she follows along is that she gets to hear the proper pronunciation for words that she tends to mispronounce, which increases her comprehension.  The Touch also allows her to highlight a word she doesn't know and check the definition immediately without having to get up and look it up in the dictionary.  This also increases her comprehension (and maximizes her time).

The other student who is reading while listening to the book at the same time enjoys all the same benefits, but doesn't need to adjust the font.  Both students really look forward to getting to use the interactive tool.  The problem is, I only have one Touch for three students to share.

Using the Touch for differentiating learning for these students has proven to be very beneficial. They are all three able to go at their own pace, which my master teacher tells me is increasing quickly with the use of the Touch.  We both wish each student in her class had one to use.  I can see how using a Touch every day, for multiple subjects, could help all students grow by leaps and bounds.  

Beginning to use Technology in the Classroom

During the month of September I had the privilege of working with a special needs student, Molly*,  in my master teacher's fifth grade classroom. Molly has an IEP for reading and math.  She is at a 2nd grade level in math and is very self conscious about doing her math worksheets in front of her peers.  She tries to hide her work by putting it on her lap, practically underneath her desk.

After looking at all the available placement options for Molly within the district Molly's mother, along with the school staff, decided that her current placement in the 5th grade classroom was the best option at this time.

During the month of September I would take Molly to an empty table and work with her on reading the directions in her math packet (while my MT worked with the rest of the class at the carpet).  Molly is not able to do all the pages by herself because she cannot read the directions without help.  One-on-one help during the entire math period only works when two teachers are in the room.  While researching math Apps for the iTouch I came across MathToFlash, an interactive flash card game.  In just a few moments, I was able to set the features to fit Molly's math level and  show her how to adjust it if necessary.  Now Molly can practice her math facts, without any help. She feels more independent and does not try to hide her work from her peers.

Since Molly is able to work independently, I am able to observe my MT's lesson and I am free to help wherever I am needed.

I have asked Molly's para if she knows about any apps that would be beneficial for Molly.  She mentioned a computer program that compliments the curriculum used by the school.  Unfortunately, my MT has the only computer in the classroom, which is ancient, and will not load most updated technology.  Having an iTouch for Molly to use in the classroom has proved to be valuable.

I am still searching for more Apps that will scaffold Molly's learning in math and reading as well.  I am excited to share all the apps I find.  I just wish I could leave the iTouch in the classroom on the days I am not scheduled to be there. I wish this district had the funds to provide the technology that is so desperately
needed.

There are two other students who have IEP's for reading. Both of these students would benefit from working with Touches as they are both at different reading levels, and they are both not reading at their grade level. Each of these students could work independantly at their own level. A limitation may be that they may miss out on peer interaction. (*pseudonym)