Dyslexic tips

In an recent article titled A Dyslexic Author's Writing Tips for Dyslexic Kids  written by tom McLaughlin it got me thinking as a teacher that has struggled with dyslexia myself what a great asset this is to pass along to any readers.  

He gives tips from a dyslexic person's perspective what a brilliant idea! Here is a list of his 10 tips: 

1. The things we struggle with are actually the most rewarding. 

• the reasoning behind this tip is we struggle so much that when we master something it feels so rewarding that we NEVER forget it! It would be like riding your bike after a long lesson.  You take that long ride and it feels so good.

2. Never be afraid to think visually. 

• reading is complicated and a struggle.  You can get it one minute and not get it the next. 

3. Try not to get angry at anyone that wants to help correct your reading.

• They are there to help you get better. You want to get better right?

4. Surround yourself by what you love.

• It helps you grow.  

5.Have corrections be made verbally instead of handwritten.  

• We remember things when they are not written down.  Having them in two ways of communication is the best key.

6.  Think of writing like this: poetry often works to a structure, you know that a certain line rhyme with another, it makes you think about words.  Its like the foundations of a house are laid out in front of you, and you have to add the walls and roof. 

• Think outside the box when writing.

7. Don't be scared of the blank piece of paper. 

• You have to start at some point just start and see where it goes. 

8. Do your homework about being dyslexic. 

• There is a ton of tips to help you!

9. When free writing don't be scared to lay it all out, it is all about you and what you have to say. 

• You can't be wrong when it is your piece of work. 

10. Go on and write something amazing!

• Don't be afraid to tell your story.  It feels good to tell and lay it out.  It is who you are! 

He has written a book here is the link to find his book it is about the power of drawing and story telling. 

http://bookshop.theguardian.com/story-machine.html

As someone that has struggled with dyslexia these tips are useful.  I am never afraid to tell someone that I have struggled with dyslexia because that is who I am.  I have learned to cope with it and at times it has been a struggle.  But, I have learned to embrace it and it has made me stronger.  I believe that it has made me a better teacher.  I can relate to my students in a way that other teachers cannot. I hope that you have learned a little from this blog and can relate to your students a little bit better. If you are a student struggling with dyslexia remember that you are not alone and that you are amazing and bright!   

Here is the link to the article I read:

http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/jan/22/a-dyslexic-authors-writing-tips-for-dyslexic-kids

Assistive Technology: Resource Roundup

 I recently looked at a online article titled Assistive Technology: Resource Roundup it had a ton of tips for teachers for using technology in the classroom that I thought might be useful in the classroom.
These tips are especially valuable for learners with learning disabilities and English Language Learners and in General just wonderful tips that are valuable to all learners.
For Educators:

• This article is a is a great walk through of assistive-technology basics for classroom teachers. It talked about the areas that we all face as classroom teachers:
• challenge
• Initial thought
•  Prospective and Resources
• Wrap-up
• Assessment
• It mentioned that as educators that we need to know the individual needs of our students because what would work for one student might not benefit for all the students with learning issues. 
• Be mindful of the individual needs and learn to give options that would encourage the use of such assistive technologies.  It might make the difference in the student's learning!

For Parents:

•  What is Assistive Technology?
• What is Assistive Technology? Assistive technology refers to devices that are used by people with disabilities to perform functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible for them to do.
• It is just as simple as a tool to aid your child in the learning process.
• What types of Assistive Technology is available for my child some we use on a daily basis? 
• Braile
• Audio
• Large text
• Digital text
• Glasses
• Grip on a pencil
• Talk to text software 
•  If I have any further question where might I go and find out more about technology and disabilities?
• http://www.fctd.info/
• A good app that might help is  Graphite, a service of Common Sense Media; also if you are looking to enhance your child's learning by using apps this website has a ton of useful apps that might be helpful
•  https://www.graphite.org/top-picks/great-special-ed-apps-and-sites?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_term=&utm_content=10232013&utm_campaign=reviews
• Don't wait for the school to get involved what your child's needs are.  You know your child better than anyone.  Do your research.  
• Be prepared when it is time for the ARD and allow such items to be used on your child's IEP.  

This is my opinion: the values in using these tools are endless allowing the students to be able to be independent and promoting self-confidence is a tool that cannot be measured. It allows them to build on the skills that they are developing everyday and to utilize the individual that they can be if given the chance to excel.

This article had videos and links to other helpful articles on the same subject. This article was not meant for someone outside the education profession. It would be very hard to understand if you were not familiar with the terms that educators use.   I sure hope you enjoyed how I broke it down for you!






To find out more on this subject here is the article:
http://www.edutopia.org/article/assistive-technology-resources

My opinion on an app

I recently went looking at  different apps that the young students might be using, and came across an app that I wanted to share. It is called "KIK". I don't know if any of you are using it, or even have little ones using it but this is just my personal opinion on this app. Kik lets you connect with people you want to talk to, and it doesn't matter how or where you met them...at school, social app or on a gaming site.

When I searched i found lots of information about it. It says there is 185 million people love and are connected with Kik.  That got me thinking "How many of those users are being careful and responsible?" The good thing is it states that you never have to give out your personal phone number and you connect on your terms.  Young people need to be taught what is safe and secure.  Are we teaching them those values? It states that 40% of the users are from the ages of 13-25.

Some of the reviews of this app state that there is no monitoring of what is being sent to the users. However;there are ways to block users like any other apps. The content you share can be shared virtually and it doesn't disappear. There are eye-catching adds that may entice the users to pick which ones that they want to interact with.  There are 25 fashion, retail, non-profit and many more to choose to follow them in conversations.

Kik has made little profit selling stickers on the app so they recently introduced a point system which can reward users for specific tasks.  The app runs like a text messages with push notifications.

You can get videos sent to you. In an instant if you like the video it can be sent out to all your contacts.  That scares me.  However, with any mobile device it is our responsibility to monitor what our little ones are doing around us.  Do research about any product before you allow your little ones to use them and always add them so you can be connected with them.  This world we live in is not always safe and secure.

Please remember that this is just my opinion on this subject.  I'm not suggesting to download this app or delete the app.  All I am suggesting is to do your homework and protect your little ones.  Just be very cautious about what you are letting your students or your own children use.

Technology Integration: A Short History

I recently read an article titled Technology Integration: A Short History written by Suzie Boss; in the article she stated that technology needs to be integrated into every classroom.  There is no question that over half of the student that we teach use technology at home.

In 1960's Seymore Papert designed a Logo Language Program to be a simple yet complex program with enough mathematical understanding behind it.  It also allowed a computer to take control of their learning environment. He stated " With computers, there is a substantially bigger chance that you can lead the child with less effort into something he really likes doing..."

Using technology has positive benefits in mathematical achievements as well.  In a 1998 Educational Testing Service Study they found that some advances to learning include:

• technology brings excitements to the curriculum and to real-world problems
• technology provides an opportunity for teachers to scaffold students with extra tools to enhance learning
• technology allows for feedback
• technology builds a platform for global communication for teachers, administrators students, parents and other professional
• technology also expands opportunities for teacher growth

In my opinion this article was great.  It fully took in depth the need for technology.  Our classrooms need technology.  Not having technology would be like not having a textbook.  We could not teach properly without technology.  The times are changing and technology is ever changing as well.  The studies have proven that almost every student can learn from some aspect of technology.  Our students attitudes change when the use of technology is about to be used change to excitement and a sense of pride.  The students get more out of using technology than we know, it stimulates their brains.  The article had a ton of great advantages for the use of technology and I agreed with every one of them.  I plan on using technology in some aspect in my classroom everyday.  

Thank you for reading!!!

Here us a link to the article : http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-history