Class 3

April 18, 2012

We were able to work with our group members in class tonight.  It was a great opportunity for us to do some research during class time and collaborate with members of our group.  Sherry, Lloyd, and I used this time to figure out what each of us were going to do for the presentation.  I was also able to use this time to view the webinar.

Here is some of the information we gathered from our webinar.

Apps for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad can benefit these learners in a number of areas, including:

1.1. Language development

2.2. Development of basic concepts

3. Development of problem-solving skills

3.

4. Motor development
5. Early literacy development

5.

This was a great diagram one of our group members created for the different APPS that were described to us in the webinar for any of you out there that are interested in looking these APPS of for Early Learners.

Here are some great links for find these APPS on your devices...

1.Grasshopper Apps: http://www.grasshopperapps.com/

2.Kindergarten Apps: http://kindergarten.com/

-Updated apps are free for April in honour of Autism Awareness

3.Technolio Apps: http://www.technolio.com/

4.MyFirstApp: http://myfirstapp.com/MyFirstApp/Home.html

5.Innovative Mobile Apps (Check iTunes – Google search is problematic, leading to http://www.alligatorapps.com/all-apps/)

6.Duck Duck Moose Apps: http://www.duckduckmoosedesign.com/

7.Preschool University Apps: http://preschoolu.com/default.aspx

                                              (Welsford & Friskney, 2012)

This is were we located some of our APPS for our presentation.

When searching for you APPS our group members have found a criteria for finding good APPS.

•Number of available apps is overwhelming (just in case you hadn’t noticed)

•The selection of an app should be focused on the user/the child, and should be based on the following selection criteria:

1)

1. simplified screens and instructions (accessibility and intuitive use relative to interface design must be age or developmental stage appropriate - Michael Cohen Group, 2011, p. 5, 7)

2)

2. consistent placement of menus and control features

3)

3. graphics along with text (particularly important to support nonreaders and early readers)

4)

4. audio feedback

5)

5. ability to set pace and level of difficulty (without leveling frustration or boredom can occur - Michael Cohen Group, 2011, p. 5)

6)

6. appropriate and unambiguous feedback

7)

7. easy error correction

                                                                                                                  (Newton & Dell, 2011)

Here are some cool youtube links that Lloyd found for us for the presentation.

The first video was an 18 month old Ipad genius.

The second video was a 1 year old Ipad user.

There are some really awesome videos.  It is amazing what the Ipad is teaching this Early Learners.  Very exciting.

Class 2

April 11, 2012 - 6pm to 9pm

During the first hour...

We started the class by allowing people to set up their blogs. Our professor showed us a few cool ways to use our blogs.

I am looking for some apps on my IPod Touch in the app store for my group next week while people are learning how to set up their blogs.  I am only getting a few apps when I search early learners. 4 of which I have to pay for and 3 for free.  Unless StFX is paying for the apps I won’t be purchasing these apps.  haha.  I guess I am going to have to do a different search.

Here is my video I learned to show on my blog today when Barbara showed us in class.

I then learned how to put add a gadget with a fish feeder.  I also learned how to add important links as well.  This can be done using the design in the top right hand corner.  There are lots of different options that can be done.  I look forward to playing with them and finding some cool items for my blog.

I just found a calendar gadget that will display todays date.  I assume it will update itself and tomorrow it will be the 12th on the calendar.  I hate the fact that there is advertsing in there.  I did not know how to eliminate this.  Ah well!

I added in screen hunter link for people who want to take pictures of their screen.  I find it works really well if you only want a part of the screen and not the whole thing.  It greats a great jpeg for easy uploading.  Open it with paint if you want to edit it.  Very easy to do.

Class 1

Introduction 

Hello my name is Kenneth Porter from Albert Bridge, NS.  I teach at GBHS in Glace Bay, NS.  I teach Chem 11/12. I play sports and spend time with my wife. 

We searched for assistive tech definition.  I found mine at

http://www.apt.gc.ca/wat/wb11140e.asp?pid=260 

We then learned how to use wordle by coping words into the program.  This was found at www.wordle.net
 

We then used youtube to look for assistive technology, here is what I located

http://www.youtube.com/user/faronics?v=GPqyHTI3MqM&feature=pyv

We then had a break from 720-730.

We then went through the course syllabus together as a group.

Enjoyed the presentations

Great class, I am looking forward to next week.

Kenny P