Children and adolescents may need speech and language therapy for many reasons. Reasons include; cleft palate, problems with the tongue, hearing problems, or "oral-motor" problems. Educators have access to much software that may help those with speech delays or impairments. All of the technology is interactive, and gives the child or adolescent a chance to develop language as well as motor skills, if needed.
One software that is recommended by the "American-Speech Language Association," is Slater. Slater software is interactive and can be used for children with mild, moderate, or severe speech and language development. Programs include: Reading with pictures, flash cards, communication boards, writing with pictures, science reading lessons, reading comprehension programs, "talk along kits," journal entery, listening software, and items for those with autism.
The software is designed for a wide range of students, and it made to be fun as well as educational. A huge plus on the site is that there is free stuff each month. The material consists of monthly studies, tutorials, hand outs, resources, and life skills. The best thing about using the free stuff is, it can be easily downloaded, saved, or simply printed for use.
The site also offers web specials for a limited time. As of right now (Feb. 2012), the special is $1.99 for 2 weeks. Which gives educators a chance to test the program, see if it can be used for the classroom, and determine whether or not to move on using Slater software. Of course, for access to a larger variety of software, a purchase is required.
The good thing about the price is, it's one time only. No annual pricing. The bad thing is, it can be a few hundred dollars. However, some products can be well under $100.00. The prices really depend on the type of computer and the type of software. Books can be uploaded and saved, for under $10. Making it easy for a teacher to build an interactive library for students, and schedules can be made for each student to read and learn a life skill of time and scheduling.
Overall, the product can be used for K-8th grade. It seems like a great resource for the classroom, and a way to help students develop a number of skills from reading, reading comprehension, to learning how to use technology in the classroom. The negative is really the price for much of the software, but the plus on that is, no annual fees (one time buy), the free items for classrooms, the monthly specials, and the fact that a large majority of the software (especially after purchasing some other software to use) is under $100. Although, major software, especially for autism, is well above that. Even so, it seems like a wonderful product for the classroom.
Sources:
American Speech-Language and Hearing Association, www.asha.org, 1997-2012. Viewed February 12, 2012.
Slater Software, www.slatersoftware.com, 2010. Viewed February 12, 2012.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Elmo Document Camera
The "Elmo Document Camera" is considered a great teaching resource by many (so it seems). There are many websites which offer the documentation camera, including school outfitters and elmousa. There are several different types of cameras and projectors offered.
Unlike the projectors of old, these cameras have HDMI input, USB port, attachment lenses, and image mate software. Not all the cameras offer these features. Some seem pretty basic, such as the P30S (which has USB and is SD card ready). The P30S the basic projector, for moving and still images. For those who just want to go extremely basic (as if any of these are truly a basic projector), the Notebook Digital Document Camera is the way to go.
One of the best things about all these cameras is, they may be one of the most useful classroom tools a teacher can have. Teachers do not always have access to a computer, but this technology allows teachers to present information. There is even a new one which can record student's understanding of the presentation. All adjustments (color, zoom, etc.) can be made by remote control. Images can be shown in singles or in panels, and the educator can choose to click to the image or set a timer, and the camera can be connected through computer or directly to a projector.
This item could be useful for story telling, timeline, focusing in on objects such as rocks and minerals, viewing maps, math problems, flash cards, test reviews, quizzes, tests, or student presentations. The projector can be used on a white board for students to write on during lessons. It can also reduce the amount of words a teacher has to write during a lesson, giving her time to focus on teaching rather than writing and teaching. Most of all, Visual and kinesthetic learners can benefit greatly from this technology.
The only negative might be, learning how to use and apply this technology. However, that's not really a reason not to try it. The other negative may be, the school might not always have these in the classroom. The camera might have to be checked out from the library.
Even so, using this type of technology can be great for the whole classroom. Just doing simple lessons with the projector can be helpful to students and educators. Despite the negatives, it is a piece of technology that should be introduced and used.
Unlike the projectors of old, these cameras have HDMI input, USB port, attachment lenses, and image mate software. Not all the cameras offer these features. Some seem pretty basic, such as the P30S (which has USB and is SD card ready). The P30S the basic projector, for moving and still images. For those who just want to go extremely basic (as if any of these are truly a basic projector), the Notebook Digital Document Camera is the way to go.
One of the best things about all these cameras is, they may be one of the most useful classroom tools a teacher can have. Teachers do not always have access to a computer, but this technology allows teachers to present information. There is even a new one which can record student's understanding of the presentation. All adjustments (color, zoom, etc.) can be made by remote control. Images can be shown in singles or in panels, and the educator can choose to click to the image or set a timer, and the camera can be connected through computer or directly to a projector.
This item could be useful for story telling, timeline, focusing in on objects such as rocks and minerals, viewing maps, math problems, flash cards, test reviews, quizzes, tests, or student presentations. The projector can be used on a white board for students to write on during lessons. It can also reduce the amount of words a teacher has to write during a lesson, giving her time to focus on teaching rather than writing and teaching. Most of all, Visual and kinesthetic learners can benefit greatly from this technology.
The only negative might be, learning how to use and apply this technology. However, that's not really a reason not to try it. The other negative may be, the school might not always have these in the classroom. The camera might have to be checked out from the library.
Even so, using this type of technology can be great for the whole classroom. Just doing simple lessons with the projector can be helpful to students and educators. Despite the negatives, it is a piece of technology that should be introduced and used.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Mindomo Review
Mindomo is a "mind mapping" site, which helps users draw information instead of writing it. Mind mapping would be a great tool for the classroom. It is could be used for math projects, branching out to show different ways to solve problems or equations. It could also be used to create a historical timeline or family tree, to describe formulas or ideas, and is good for brainstorming.
Mind mapping programs would be good for middle and high school students. Teachers may benefit from using mindomo in several ways. One being they can see how students really organize information, if the students understand the information, and if the teacher needs to revisit a subject based on the mindomo reports.
A huge plus for mindomo (or any Internet learning site) is, it is great for all types of students. No matter how a student learns. The program would be a great way to introduce lesson's and subjects. Pictures, graphics, and video's can be added, which would be great for a teacher when introducing a new subject.
The cons are, as with all computer assignments, not all students will have access to websites outside of school and the site can be a little frustrating. The way the site is set up is more for business and brainstorming purposes, not necessarily for student presentations. Also, the site is public. When something is saved, it goes public. That is fine, but it would be extremely important to stress citing sources, appropriate context, and not using pictures without permission (if the photo is on another website).Overall, the site is one of the easier ones to use. Much more so than glogster (which is fun once one gets the hang of it). Mindomo would be a great tool for the classroom and offers educators another creative way to teach.
www.mindomo.com
Mind mapping programs would be good for middle and high school students. Teachers may benefit from using mindomo in several ways. One being they can see how students really organize information, if the students understand the information, and if the teacher needs to revisit a subject based on the mindomo reports.
A huge plus for mindomo (or any Internet learning site) is, it is great for all types of students. No matter how a student learns. The program would be a great way to introduce lesson's and subjects. Pictures, graphics, and video's can be added, which would be great for a teacher when introducing a new subject.
The cons are, as with all computer assignments, not all students will have access to websites outside of school and the site can be a little frustrating. The way the site is set up is more for business and brainstorming purposes, not necessarily for student presentations. Also, the site is public. When something is saved, it goes public. That is fine, but it would be extremely important to stress citing sources, appropriate context, and not using pictures without permission (if the photo is on another website).Overall, the site is one of the easier ones to use. Much more so than glogster (which is fun once one gets the hang of it). Mindomo would be a great tool for the classroom and offers educators another creative way to teach.
www.mindomo.com
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Public Domain Copyright Laws
The public domain pretty much means, material available to the public. Many Internet users tend to think of the public domain as a free for all. Believing all the information to be uploaded, copied, and used freely. In some cases, that is correct. In others, not so much.
According to public domain sherpa, "the public domain consists of works that are not protected by copyright or by other legal means. You are free to use public domain works however you wish, without seeking permission." The reasons they give is:
According to public domain sherpa, "the public domain consists of works that are not protected by copyright or by other legal means. You are free to use public domain works however you wish, without seeking permission." The reasons they give is:
- Expired copyright laws
- No valid copyright
- Not "eligible for copyright"
- The site owners made it a "public domain."
However, it is important to know whether these works appear anywhere else on the web that may have copyright laws. If the copyright has been renewed, and it is important to remember that the work (according to U.S. Code) does not have to be registered or marked as copyrighted. Therefore, it is safe to always assume that the work is protected by copyright laws.
What Can Be Copied From the Public Domain?
If assuming the work is protected, then what can be copied? For the most part, literary works, music, and many artistic works and recordings are off limits. Unless permission is given by the author, and a link to the author's work is provided and cited.
A good guideline for works that can or cannot be copied is the U.S. Copyright Law Title 17. It is also important not to republish, make commercial, or claim ownership of any work on the Internet. To republish or make commercial another work can be an "infringement" on the author or person's rights. Also, the reason pictures. sculptures, statues, and other art works should not be copied (unless permission is given, or it is alright according the Fair Use Laws) is because the text may not be copyrighted, but the picture most often is.
Therefore, students and teachers are able to use the public domain. As long as there is no intent to sell, reprint the material for commercial use, or claim as their own. If the material is being used solely for education purposes in the classroom, then the use of it should not be a problem. The only time it could become a problem is if a class is planning on publishing material onto the Internet for public use.
Overall, the laws protecting those in the public domain are very fair. As an online writer, I have had my works republished within days of writing them. I often go to the sites telling them to remove the post, or remove the text and place my article title with the link instead of copying my work. The copyright laws protect everyone who work, write, post, and share information on the web. If there were no laws, all these publications could be easily claimed by others who would profit from them.
Sometimes, the rules are frustrating. However, since classrooms seem to be protected by the law, the main thing teachers and students should do is always cite work and never copy the work with intent to claim.
Public Domain Sherpa. (2012). Retrieved January 25, 2012, from http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html.
Public Domain Music. (2006). Copyright and the Public Domain. Retrieved January 25, 2012, from http://www.pdinfo.com/copyrt.php.
U.S. Copyright Office. (2009). Retrieved January 25, 2012, from http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html.
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