Assessment using Audio and Video Tools

Assessment using Audio: Kaizena
Kaizena is a web program and Google Add-on/Extension that allows teachers or students to post audio comments to a piece of work. This feature supports the need for students to have timely, relevant and meaningful feedback during their learning. Kaizena now syncs seamlessly with Google documents which makes the process even faster. One of the biggest benefits to Kaizena we have found is that you can provide feedback to your students in another language. If you are a French Immersion teacher, it is often hard to find the time to conference and listen orally to all your students. Students could submit a piece of work, record it with Kaizena, and then teachers could offer feedback IN FRENCH about pronunciation, inflection etc. using Kaizena.

Kaizena Tutorial

Assessment using Video:  Explain Everything
Explain Everything is an iPad screencasting app that allows students to orally and in real time share their thinking about any particular topic.  Students can import images, add text boxes, draw a math algorithm and record their voice. Using video in this way can be a great strategy to use for students who may have a difficult time explaining just with paper and pencil, or who need motivation to show their thinking. In mathematics, students can demonstrate the strategies they used to solve a problem orally, while also demonstrating the steps they took to complete the task.  A second way that Explain Everything can be used for assessment involves the creation of student tutorials.  This would be an ideal opportunity for students who need extensions.  The students can use Explain Everything to post and share video tutorials about specific strategies or concepts.  Not only does the teacher have the opportunity to assessment the students' understanding, but now can assess their communication and application skills as well.

Explain Everything Tutorial/Introduction

Necessary for Some, Good for All

This is a brief overview of the Special Education services available in Halton.  Of course, this is not an exhaustive list of all Halton has to offer.  There are many exceptionalities that have specialized services that I did not specifically address in the triangle.  Technologies are highlighted in blue.

Twitter for Tools

This past week, I ventured onto to Twitter to explore #ATchat. After reading through a number of tweets, I decided to throw a question into the 'Twitterverse' to see what happened. I have posted questions before with specific hashtags without any responses, but am not sure if I approached it the right way. Much to my surprise, someone did respond to my question and this started a conversation back and forth. The teacher I was talking to asked thoughtful questions to gain better insights into the needs of the student I was thinking about and then provided some great tools and suggestions about what could help this student. I was curious to know more about the person I had connected with and discovered he was from California and passionate about AT.

Assistive Technology and HDSB

I have been fortunate to be part of a school based AT team. Working with 3 SERTs as well as another coach, we support students with assistive technology throughout our school.

Students who have been formally assessed and have an IEP that states they require technology to assist in their learning, are eligible to receive the device most suited to their learning needs. The devices can range from iPads and laptops to Smartboards and Clicker systems. Students receive the devices from the school board and are available to them until they leave for post-secondary education or withdraw from the school board.

21st Century Learning -Responsibilty

Educators have an enormous responsibility to teach students about appropriate use and safety about technology. It is a huge undertaking, often fraught with big obstacles -time, support, appropriate resources, parental understanding and support. But, it is imperative that our teaching helps prepare students for its use.

As an educator we are provided with curriculum that outlines what safety concepts should be taught when. Look both ways before crossing the street, don't talk to strangers, wear a helmet are only a few of the common rules we insist on for our students and our own kids. The rise of social media and technology in schools requires us to be just as thorough in our teaching of responsible behaviours.  

21st Century Learning -Legal Pt..1

There are several legal and ethical issues that come up when discussing 21st Century learning and our students. They can range from the use of social networking tools and professional vs. personal personas of staff to cyberbullying and the school's role in supporting those involved.

• Should teachers use social networking tools with their students?
• Should teachers personally use social networking tools? and where do teachers draw the line between friends/colleagues/parents? OCT -Use of Electronic Communication and Social Media
• Do teachers have the skills/understanding to protect themselves and how can we support this? 
• Do they understand what is required to support students and keep them safe when online?
• How do teachers/leaders best instruct students in becoming strong digital citizens?
• How can we ensure teachers are addressing digital citizenship when its not a 'required subject'?

School Policies

Are (should)  policies and guidelines be consistent from school to school or class to class? How do policies both protect and/or cause barriers when trying to implement 21st Century teaching tools?

To answer this question, I went in search of school and board policies about the acceptable use of technology in schools. After some digging, I found the board policies for the Romeo, Michigan county school district. I have family in the area and was curious to see what I would uncover. I also looked at British Colombia and found their "Access to Online Learning Resources" document that outlined the responsibilities of users.