Archive for Category: "EdCeptional"
May 8, 2012 7:18 am
EdCeptional #033 – We’re All Still Learning
Tonight we focus on Professional Development. As many of us are preparing to head off into summer shortly we decided to take a look at how we can personally keep up with our own professional/personal development. I fully believe that if you are involved in education that you should be a lifelong learner and willing to learn even on “your own” time Show Host: Anne Truger (@atruger) Show contributors: Deb Truskey (@debtruskey) Patrick Black (@teachntech00) Here’s our Show Notes! [...]
May 3, 2012 12:00 pm
IEP season is upon us!
As we start the month of May, many special educators are embarking upon what is traditionally referred to as IEP season! Typically, a student’s Annual Review is done toward the end of the year, in an effort to see their progress and plan for the coming year. It’s during this delightful season, that many of us sit in a conference room for hours on end and talk! So in an effort to help fellow special educators with this process, here [...]
April 30, 2012 8:05 pm
EdCeptional #032 – Surviving the IEP Blues
It’s all about surviving the push to the end of the year, also known as IEP season for most special educators. First, we talk about some of the great recommendations for keeping organized from Sean Sweeney’s post in ASHA. Then, we have some fun discussing our favorite stress relievers! Make sure to check out the show notes for links to all our suggestions. Show Host: Anne Truger (@atruger) Show contributors: Deb Truskey (@debtruskey) Patrick Black (@teachntech00) Here’s our Show [...]
April 16, 2012 4:00 pm
EdCeptional #031 – Gaga for Games
Tonight we have some fun and discuss games in the classroom. There are some great blogs about gaming for kids with disabilities, as well as some great apps to do it too. It’s not all about technology though, as we discuss some of our favorite games growing up. Make sure to check out all the information from the show by clicking the show notes! Show Host: Patrick Black (@teachntech00) Show contributors: Deb Truskey (@debtruskey) Tricia Lazarro (@tlazarro11) Here’s [...]
March 19, 2012 4:00 pm
EdCeptional #030 – Spring into UDL with Joy! (Zabala)
Tonight we discuss UDL (Universal Design for Learning) with our special guest Dr. Joy Zabala. Joy works with the CAST Center to promote UDL and increase the availability of accessible materials. Check out all the great resources we discuss by clicking on the Show Notes link below. Show Host: Anne Truger (@atruger) Show Guest: Joy Zabala (@joyzabala) Show contributors: Patrick Black (@teachntech00) Deb Truskey (@debtruskey) Tricia Lazarro (@tlazarro11) Leave us some feedback! Contact us with any [...]
March 13, 2012 9:00 pm
EdCeptional #029: The Pot of Gold- Conference Nuggets
It’s a been a long time since we have all had time to chat! There have been several exciting events that have taken place during this time. Three things that we will chat about today are the Illinois ICE Conference, MACUL, and the big Apple announcement. Show Host: Anne Truger (@atruger) Show contributors: Patrick Black (@teachntech00) Deb Truskey (@debtruskey) Leave us some feedback! Contact us with any questions or comments - edceptional@edreach.us
February 22, 2012 7:55 am
EdCeptional #28 – Docs Rocks!
Tonight we discuss Google Docs and it’s use in the classroom. We spend some time talking about the different versions (personal vs. apps for education), ways to collaborate, and some of the privacy settings. Show Host: Anne Truger (@atruger) Show contributors: Patrick Black (@teachntech00) Tricia Lazzaro (@tlazzaro11) Leave us some feedback! Contact us with any questions or comments- edceptional@edreach.us
January 26, 2012 12:00 pm
Alternative Computer Access
Universal Access is a goal for all students in school. While the majority of students have no problem using a trackpad or mouse, there is a small segment of students who may require additional help in becoming independent in computer use. We are fortunate to have quite a few options, most of them readily available on any operating system to help those students. Current Accessibility Options: Both Windows and Mac operating systems have a ton of features available to help [...]
January 23, 2012 5:00 pm
EdCeptional #27 – Making It Happen with Jeanette
Tonight we were joined by Jeannette Van Houten a Assistive Technology/Curriculum consultant from New Jersey and a blogger at My Point of View…. We talked about all the myriad ways to access the computer, both built in features and those that are extra. Even how an iDevice can be used to access and interact with a computer. Show Host: Patrick Black (@teachntech00) Show contributors: Jeannette Van Houten (@jvanhoutensped) Deb Truskey (@debtruskey) Leave us some feedback! Contact us with any questions [...]
January 9, 2012 9:50 pm
EdCeptional #26 – Codebreakers
We are excited to be back for our first podcast of 2012 and talking about QR Codes. There are so many exciting, fun and free ways to create and use QR codes in the classroom, and we spend a few minutes discussing and trying them out. Make sure you check out the show notes for links to all the ideas and tools. Show Host: Anne Truger (@atruger) Show contributors: Patrick Black (@teachntech00) Tricia Lazzaro (@tlazzaro11) Deb Truskey [...]
December 23, 2011 12:00 pm
EdReach Winter Viewing Party: Think Different
OK, so I stole this title from our friends at Apple, but I think it illustrates the following video. Temple Grandin is an individual with autism who shares her perspective on the disorder on a regular basis. In Februrary 2010, she talked at TED about how we need many different kinds of minds. It is a great illustration of how we as educators need to think differently and teach to the strengths of all our students. Patrick
December 12, 2011 8:00 am
EdCeptional #25-Kickin’ it with Kevin
Tonight we are joined by Kevin Honeycutt of http://kevinhoneycutt.org to talk Internet safety for kids. Kevin shared his wonderful site for kids – http://www.mysafesurf.org and entertained us with the Online Safety Song.
December 6, 2011 8:22 pm
EdCeptional #24-The sweet spot: where ESL meets Special Ed
This week we are joined by Larry Ferlazzo a teacher and blogger at Larry Ferlazzo’s Website of the Day. We discuss the ways that ESL and Special Education instruction are similar and take a look at a ton of great resources! Show Host: Anne Truger (@atruger) Show Guest: Larry Ferlazzo (@larryferlazzo) Show contributors: Patrick Black (@teachntech00) Deb Truskey (@debtruskey) Subscribe to The EdCeptional Podcast on iTunes Subscribe to the EdReach Podcast Feed The complete show notes are now on the [...]
December 1, 2011 12:00 pm
A Thankful Season
As we enter the holiday season, I wanted to share what I am thankful for, I am thankful for my students. I know that may sound a little strange, but as much as I teach them, I am surprised and delighted with what they teach me. As you may or may not know I teach several students in elementary school with significant cognitive disabilities. What that really means, is I teach students who may or may not talk, and even [...]
November 28, 2011 9:11 pm
EdCeptional #23 – 25 days ’til Christmas
Today we veer a little from our normal show and talk about what tech goodies do you hope to find in your stocking and share some geeky gifts and places to pick these up for the holiday season. We also talk about EduBlogger Award Nominations and how you can find the best blogs to reader from these nominations. Show Host: Anne Truger (@atruger) Show contributors: Deb Truskey (@debtruskey) Tricia Lazzaro (@tlazzaro11) Subscribe to The EdCeptional Podcast on iTunes Subscribe to [...]
November 7, 2011 8:00 am
EdCeptional #22 – EdCeptional ROCKS ATIA!
Tonight’s show is all about things we saw and heard at the Assistive Technology Industry Association conference that took place in Schaumburg, IL last week. We are sharing an audio cast of the full 1 hour session Deb and I led called – Everyone deserves and EdCeptional Education. If you are interested in the notes from this session you can find them at http://bit.ly/edceptionalnotes. Show Host: Tricia Lazarro (@tlazzaro11) Show contributors: Patrick Black (@teachntech00) Deb Truskey (@debtruskey) Subscribe to The [...]
November 4, 2011 12:00 pm
Independence for All
From Teaching All Students The EdCeptional Crew is taking a few days this week to visit the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) conference in Schaumburg. This conference focuses on helping all individuals be more independent in their education and life in general. What has struck me about being at this conference is the focus on independence. I had the opportunity to share my thoughts on helping students be more Independent, in a session called Independence for All. This session focused [...]
October 31, 2011 6:00 pm
EdCeptional #21 – iOS 5 for All
Tonight we focus on iOS 5 and many of the accessibility features that have been added. Some of our favorites are text expander, Siri & volume as a photo shutter. Show Host: Anne Truger (@atruger) Show Guest: Tricia Lazzaro (@tlazzaro11) Show contributors: Patrick Black (@teachntech00) Deb Truskey (@debtruskey) Subscribe to The EdCeptional Podcast on iTunes Subscribe to the EdReach Podcast Feed The complete show notes are now on the EdCeptional Wiki.
October 17, 2011 8:22 pm
EdCeptional #20: Ladies Night-ePublishing on the Floor
EdCeptional 20 is all about the Ladies! Tricia Lazarro joins Deb and Anne to discuss ePub and it’s benefits for students. ePubBud & Calibre are just 2 of the many resoursed shared, check out all the resources and ideas at the EdCeptional Wiki! Show Host: Anne Truger (@atruger) Show Guest: Tricia Lazarro (@tlazzaro11) Show contributors: Deb Truskey (@debtruskey) Subscribe to The EdCeptional Podcast on iTunes Subscribe to the EdReach Podcast Feed The complete show notes are now on the EdCeptional [...]
September 28, 2011 8:00 am
EdCeptional Show #19: What’s on the Horizon?
This episode of the EdCeptional show starts off with each crew member sharing a great blog that they had read recently. They then jump right into a discussion about the Horizon Report 2011 K12 Edition and what implications it might have for special education. LeapFrog’s LeapPad, the kid-friendly tablet, was the other hot topic this week. Show Host: Anne Truger Show contributors: Patrick Black, Jeremy Brown & Deb Truskey Subscribe to The EdCeptional Podcast on iTunes Subscribe to the [...]
September 14, 2011 8:00 am
#Edapp: Touch Autism apps – promo codes giveaway
Touch Autism is a two person team that is dedicated to making the best technological apps for autism, Down syndrome and other special needs. The Touch Autism Team is comprised of Jenny Winningham, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and Tomas Krones, a software engineer. They have recently given the EdCeptional crew promo codes to giveaway for 4 of their wonderful apps, described below. Touch Tutorial ($2.99 | iTunes App Store) - 2 codes available Touch Tutorial was designed to teach users who have [...]
September 12, 2011 8:00 am
EdCeptional Show #18: Our Homecoming
This week, our regular EdCeptional crew was finally able to reconvene after a crazy few weeks with back-to-school. Continuing with a new, shorter show format, they still share a lot of exciting news! This week’s highlights include a recent patent application filed by Apple, federal grants to spur development of assistive technology, accessibility apps for the Android platform, and a cloud-based service launched by Don Johnston. Show Host: Anne Truger Show contributors: Patrick Black, Jeremy Brown & Deb Truskey [...]
Latest Ed-lines...
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Professional Development
Google Voice: Not Your Mother’s Voice Service
In everyday life, the Google Voice service is a way to combine all your numbers into one and to conveniently receive voice messages. ListenIn™ even helps you decide which calls to answer after the caller has started to leave a message. Teachers can use a GVoice number for parents without giving away their primary phone number. Easily created custom voicemail greetings for parents and a different greeting for students make messages personalized and relevant. Educators can put a call widget [...]
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Reach-Sources
Access to Innovation: Subscribe to the ‘Weekly Reach’
As much as we like to think that every teacher is using RSS Readers and Twitter to get innovative news and working to build their Professional Learning Network, this is just not the case for many teachers- yet. EdReach is working to change that.
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Open Letters
You don’t think all kids can learn?!
On March 1st, the Seattle Times published an OpEd where the author argued that teachers can only teach the students who come to class motivated to learn, and that students who come to class disinterested or apathetic do not deserve the right to be called a student. In the piece, the teacher divorced himself from the idea that it is the teacher’s responsibility to teach every student in his or her class. I spent the last four years teaching middle [...]
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Teacher StratEdgy
What is UDL?
UDL or Universal Design for Learning is a concept based in architecture. It might seem strange that a post about educating students comes from this area, but it will make sense. By using Universal Design, architects plan, from the beginning, a space that allows access to persons with all abilities. The same can be said for Universal Design for Learning. By planning our instruction from the beginning to be accessible for all students, we will be able to reach more [...]
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LiTTech Show Professional Development
So what does “leadership” mean . . . ?
After our chat with Carl Harvey, I really started to think about it. Even more so after it came up in #libchat last night. But how do we get started? Here’s what I’ve been doing to be a leader at my school, let me know if you agree or not. Find your allies. I feel pretty lucky in that everyone at my job seems to genuinely want me here, but there’s always at least one person who thinks you’re awesome. [...]
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Teacher StratEdgy
Google Docs for Communicating
Google Docs continues to be my number one tool for communicating and collaborating with any number of people involved in my students’ education. As a special education teacher I am constantly in contact with parents, related service providers, and other professionals like doctors and private therapists. Google Docs allows me quite a few opportunities to easily keep all parties informed and in the loop. Documents – probably the simplest way for sharing documents with my team members. The most common [...]
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Ed2ools
InstaGrok Educational Search Engine
Can you define the word “Grok?” InstaGrok is a developing answer-engine that is specifically designed for the education market. The mission of InstaGrok is to teach 21st Century research and curation skills in a safe, age appropriate environment. InstaGrok is commercial free and organizes search results according to themes and concepts. In a way, InstaGrok is similar to Wolfram|Alpha as it provides answers and information rather than a list of links. Using the search box, type in any term or idea that you are interested [...]
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EdView Professional Development
Kicking and Screaming All the Way into the 21st Century
The 20th Century Classroom is dead. You see, I know this to be true because I had the funeral for the 20th Century Classroom in like 2006. I was there- in person. It was a poignant ceremony; you should have been there with the rest of my sixth grade science students. She helped us out in the beginning of that industrial age, but she just had to be laid to rest, chalk board and all. To mark the occasion, we took our antiquated [...]
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#EduWin EdView
#EduWin-ners Circle 1/24/12 – Relationships Matter
The title of this post might seem a bit trite or obvious, but some recent #EduWin tweets caused me to reflect on how critical relationships are in education and how important it is to spend time developing them. Positive relationships are made, they don’t just happen. There are different types of relationships in these #EduWin posts, but they all demonstrate respect and trust between students and teachers. As a child, I would never have thought to contact my teacher [...]
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Ed2ools Online Learning Webinars
Moodle Hangout Anyone?
Moodle was launched as a pet project in 1999 by Martin Dougiamas. Since then, it has grown into an enormously popular learning platform that boasts over 57 million users who have access to roughly 5.8 million courses. Moodle is an open source, community driven learning management system that is used in traditional, blended, and fully online classrooms. Anyone can setup a Moodle server and start building online courses in a matter of minutes. Because of my interest in online learning, [...]
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LiTTech Show Online Learning
Code Year: Give it a Shot
Growing up computers were never scary, they were everywhere. My father came to programming accidentally, but enthusiastically. He was a programmer almost before it was really a career. And he thought that everyone should be able to play. Rather than telling my sister and I not to touch his stuff he gave us our OWN computer to mess around on. We even took a Logo class over one summer. As a result, when I did finally decide to take a [...]
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#EduWin EdAdmin
Digital Learning Day – Another Opportunity For Us To Connect (in Person)
There is a great opportunity for tech-savvy leaders to reach out to their colleagues who are still hesitant to embrace digital tools for learning coming up on February 1. Digital Learning Day 2012 is a wonderful initiative intended to highlight schools, educators, and/or classrooms where digital tools are being embraced. The goal of Digital Learning Day from the organization’s website is as follows: “Digital Learning Day is a culminating event in a year-round national awareness campaign to improve teaching and [...]
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