Blog Post #3

Peer Editing

In this particular assignment I had to watch Paige Ellis’s Blog Assignment #12, What is Peer Editing, Writing Peer Review Top 10 Mistakes, and Peer Edit with Perfection Tutorial. These were all informative on how to correctly peer review a classmate’s blog. There are three steps to editing. First, compliment, and always stay positive. Second, make suggestions, for example advise student on word choice. Are the words being used interesting? Lastly, corrections, is punctuation correct, is grammar correct and is spelling correct. Then I was given a classmates assignment to critique. I had to decide whether to publically or privately critique the student’s paper.
I was assigned Chanel Ellison’s blog post #3 to edit in this assignment. I have chosen not post comments publically on my blog page or hers but will instead send her a private email. I feel that to correct errors that everyone can see is not the best way to handle corrective criticism. I feel that personal one on one is better for the student’s self esteem and confidence not to humiliate or embarrass them in front of their peers. Contrary to compliments, which need an audience, critiquing needs to be done privately involving the only one it is intended for.

Technology in Special Education

This video shows examples of how technology has assisted students with physical disabilities in a classroom. Lacey Cook shows how technology had helped several of her students to blossom because of technology. Chris, a disabled student in her class, who use to point at letters before he got his computer. Chris now can use the computer to communicate more efficiently. Ms. Cook believes that with technology, students are more eager and willing to participate in class.
I actually can relate to Ms. Cook as I have a daughter with both learning and physical disabilities. I can see how technology has helped her blossom as a student and as a person. I would use computers to help students be the best that they can be. To see a child with a disability to achieve something that they normally could not do is remarkable. There are several programs available such as zoom text that was mentioned in Lacey Cook’s video, that could be used to assist students.

How the iPad works with Academics for Autism

This video was about a family who uses an iPad to help their autistic son to be motivated to learn. Brandon is able to count using the iPad. Brandon is in the third grade and is also using the iPad to help with reading. He uses iPad to recognize sight words. The iPad has also helped Brandon with his writing. His father would write a word and Brandon would write the word on his iPad. It is obvious in the video that Brandon is highly motivated to learn using the iPad.
I was unaware that at iPad had so many capabilities to assist students with disabilities. This is a GREAT tool for students. I would highly recommend the use of an iPad for a student. The only problem I would see is the cost for the families. This is an expensive piece of equipment and a lot of families would not be able to afford the iPad. Brandon’s parents were highly motivated to work with Brandon and his autism.

Gary Hayes Social Media Count

The social media count is amazing! This is a running count on several areas of technology and how many people use them every day. I had no idea how much people rely on technology on a daily basis.
Technology is continuing to grow and will affect the future as it is already changing mine. I now see how it is being used in classrooms in several different areas. I believe that technology will continue to grow and continue to play an important role in the classroom.
Michael Wesch: A Vision of Students Today
This video was very informative and very true on a students view. I love the way the video was presented in a classroom setting. This video should be used as a tool to help identify problems that college students face today. Students should be able to share their views with facility as well as the universities presidents. Students, including myself have spent hundred of dollars on books and do not even open them once during the whole semester.
We have technology at our fingertips and could be using it in the classrooms and students are not using their computers for class but for social sites in class. What does that say? Teachers need to participate in using technology as a tool instead of letting students being bored in class. It should be interesting why students pay for a class and do not attend. Is it lack of interest in subject or no motivation to go to class?