While watching my classmates’ Educational Technology presentations, I learned about many different forms of technology that can be used in the classroom. Each of my classmates researched a technology, created an “artifact” like a video or a website showcasing their technology, and presented it to the class through slides or demonstration of their chosen technology. Some groups also chose to share pros and cons in their presentation, which is reflected in my notes.

My group (Group 2) chose to research 3 forms of technology that can increase inclusivity in a classroom. You can find our assignment and presentation here.

Here are some notes on the presentations that we watched today:

Group 1: What makes a good classroom blog/website?

  • Accessibility
  • Cost, preferably free
  • Accessibility, phone + computer, user friendly, easy to use
  • Privacy, preferably password protected

Class Dojo:

  • Easy to communicate between teachers and parents
  • Password protected, private
  • Similar to social media platform
  • Teachers make posts and students can respond
  • Post assignments and comments to users

Google Sites and Classroom Screen:

  • Public website
  • Teacher posts class information for students to view, fieldtrip info, etc
  • Display noise meter, stopwatch, clock, group maker, polls, QR code for class

Jotform:

  • Create an app for your class
  • Post polls
  • Communicate with class
  • Post fillable permission slips
  • Direct contact between teacher and parents/students

Seesaw:

  • Social media format
  • Teach about digital responsibility, what is/isn’t appropriate to post
  • Parents see students posts
  • Student check-ins
  • Assign homework
  • Platform comes with pre-made lessons to assign to students

Group 3: Technologies that support diverse learners

  • Adapt and modify content for students with exceptionalities

Seeing AI app:

  • Take a picture of physical document, automatically converts to a text file
  • Text to speech
  • Describes contents of photos
  • Describes features of a person from photo

Pros:

  • Free
  • Easy to use

Cons:

  • Robotic voice can be difficult to understand

Eyegaze:

  • Tracks eye movements
  • Turns eyes into a mouse for computer
  • Blink activation to make selections or gazing at the screen for a certain calibrated amount of time

Pros:

  • Independence for students with disabilities
  • Students can express themselves and create projects, complete assignments
  • Connect to smart board to present to class
  • Use technology like every other student

Cons:

  • Very expensive
  • Doesn’t work for everyone

Immersive Reader:

  • Used with Microsoft Word
  • Text to speech, reads text to you
  • Highlights text
  • Can change text, background colour, and line spacing
  • Prevents visual crowding

Pros:

  • Free with Microsoft office
  • Accessible
  • Works in multiple languages
  • Easy to use
  • Human voice

Cons:

  • Can require headphones in classroom

Breathe Think Do with Sesame Street app:

  • Monster that works through tasks with you
  • Models deep breathing and self regulation
  • Helps behavioral issues
  • Creates efficient problem solvers

Pros:

  • Creates independence
  • Teaches self-regulation

Cons:

  • Not customizable, must use preset routines