Getting it Done...and Learning Smartboard.

Since the date of the last post I have completed numerous assignments which brings me down to about 45 that I have yet to complete. Mike is right, somehow the work always seems to get done.

This week Prof. Mislevy taught the class (for those who were not as familiar) about the Smart Board and Smart products, etc. This technology is particularly helpful in preparing lessons and allow the students to use technology. I was also under the assumption that the local school district did not have access to this technology when lo and behold my daughter tells me that many of her teachers have the technology and equipment, but that it is still sitting in boxes in the back of the classroom. The one that is installed in the classroom is never even used by her teacher!!!!! What in the heck is wrong with this picture?

Seventy-Two Tasks

From now until the end of this semester I have approximately seventy-two {separate} tasks to complete. These tasks include final exams, projects, assignments, and term papers. How will I complete all of these things I do not know. How can I find the time. I hear many students complaining of the work they must complete also...but I cannot find anyone who is having a harding time than I am...

Forever, and ever, and ever learning about others...

The PowerPoint lessons that we have to teach in class coincidently were discussed in my Special Education class (read project) approximately two weeks ago and having recently been assigned the subject of researching how students with low vision and blindness learn was amazing. Oft times we (people with normal vision, etc.) don't stop and take the time to learn about and consider those who are different. What I learned from this project is that:

• Although many people do not realize it, the vast majority of people with visual disabilities use vision as their primary method of learning.
• How students are able to learn is directly influenced by their residual vision, or the amount of vision they have left that can be further developed. Residual vision can be affected by the following factors:
  Day to day
  Time of day
  Setting
  Illumination level
  Distance
  Contrast
  Color (esp. for those suffering from color-blindness as well)
• Students with low vision read print and typically access the general education curriculum alongside their peers with disabilities. Most however do require accommodations and some extra assistance form classmates and teachers; these accommodations can include large print texts and handouts, magnifying devices, audio/speech devices, adjusted seating arrangements, etc.

Such simple accommodations have been instrumental in the high success rates of students with this difficulty and today approximately 54% of students with visual disabilities spend over 79% of their school day in general education classrooms. Barring any coexisting disabilities, they tend to perform well academically; this is reflected in their having the highest graduation rates of all high school students with disabilities.

There is always more to be learned...

Whomever said that "no one man can possibly know everything" must have been prophesying about the technological advances that were to come. I consider myself technologically savvy (at least where Microsoft Office products are concerned), and even recently, during Spring Break enrolled in an Advanced PowerPoint session...
Today however, I actually learned a few new things, namely smart art, and animation, and custom slides, etc. I appreciate the opportunity of technology and of a technologically savvy Instructor such as Prof. Mislevy and I am working diligently to incorporate most of what I have learned into the next assignment.

My class partner and I have finished the shooting the video, editing, and adding sound effects. The only problem that we had was in uploading the video to YouTube, which will have to be performed in class tomorrow. I am looking forward to seeing my classmates reaction of the final, finished product...