Web Accessibility and Adaptive Technology

Steve Sullivan came and talked to our class about his disability. He also talked to us about the different programs that are out there to help people with disabilities, such as Magic and Jaws. He also brought in some different tools that are available to people such as the Braille reader and the light up magnifier.

In the first website this one teacher talks about how she used a blog in her english class. She gave the children a certain book to read and then go and post a blog about what they thought, and then to comment on some of their students blogs. This was a really good site because this also gave the students knowledge of how to use the computer and internet to post blogs. It also gives the students an opportunity to interact with the students outside of the classroom.
The second article it talks how blogs are used in the science class room in the Middle and High school classrooms. In this website and blogs, they share different types of resources for the students or teachers to use. Have different videos and links that go along with the lessons in the class. It also allows students to put post and comments about the homework assignments also.

This is the first sites link

http://library.duke.edu/blogs/techmentor/category/schools/rogersherr/

This is the second sites link
http://teachertipstraining.suite101.com/article.cfm/science_blogs_in_high_and_middle_school_classes

week 4 video post

I really liked this video, it had a lot of facts on there that I knew nothing about. It was interesting to see that ALL of Indian college graduates speak English. Also that out of India and China, we had the fewest college graduates. I found it startling that America wasn't as up to speed as they should be. I liked the fact that there are people who are trying to make our students more 21st century ready.
This to me is important because with the way that everything is moving more toward technology based assignments, it is important that they know and understand what they are doing. I can remember when I was in grade school and only used a computer to play games on, we never used it to learn in the classroom or do homework. This is great because there is so much useful information that is available to them through the Internet. I also love the face that there is a program that is set up to help the children who may never have the access to a computer or the information that it provides.

week 3 blog

Access is a program that stands for Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators and Students Statewide. It is a program that was started to help provide opportunities and options for Alabama public high schools students, so that they can be engaged in courses as Advanced Placement(AP), electives and other general courses. This is to provide the student the chance to take a class that may not be offered at the school that they attend. It also offers interactive video conferencing, web based courses, and summer school courses. All of these were set in place to help high school students who may not have these easily accessible to them normally.
It was also set up to help the Educators themself. This programs offers ideas on new and exciting ways to motivate the students in the classroom. Also to expand their teaching knowledge and lastly share their teaching efforts among students statewide. They also learn how to use and intergrate new technology into the classroom and teaching. This program is available for students from K-12.
I feel that this is a great program that was set up, it can effect so many students and help further them in their learning. It is great that this is out there because many students may not have some of the electives and other courses offered at their school, but through tis program they are able to take part and expand their wealth of knowledge.