Monday, December 16, 2019

Assistive Technology

How do I use assistive Technology

I am a student that highly benefits from AT or Assistive Technology. I myself benefit from assistive technology. How this is I use an IPad Pro almost every thing. So one student is taking notes on piece paper I am using an Apple Pencil and note taking app. When a classmate is  Putting paper in a binder I am scanning my paper first and then placing it into a binder so I am sure that I will not lose it. When me and my classmates are assigned a reading assignment and we all go home to read, instead physically reading the assignment, I use an audiobook app designed for AT use and I finish the assignment this way. This way I can  maintain a regular student work load but adapted so I complete the assignment easier and more efficiently. How can teachers set up a classroom for student benefit with little to minimal AT. 

How Teachers can AT in the classroom

Assistive in the classroom can be anything from different seating to close captions on a video. It doesn’t have fancy iPad Pro like I use. edutopica a blog written by teachers for teachers define Assistive technology as the following, “Assistive technology(AT) is any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.” Under this definition my glasses I am wearing to write this right now is AT. Example of this are close captioning, Graphic organizers, and speech to text (“Easy Ways to bring assistive technology into your classroom”.) I especially like a outline personally, with all due for the assignment on it. This is the best AT in the entire world to me.  This is even better the iPad which refer to as my baby and am completely loss without (my iPad is my pen and paper remember). So now I know what you’re this this is cheating or it too much of a hassle so next I will bust this common misconceptions. 

Misconceptions about AT 

So I received many comment from teacher to please put my ipad way. Or it not fair for me type this assignment. But for me this only way I believe (and has been proven) that I complete my assignments effectively and efficiency. For example just now I could not tell the word effectively from efficiency I Sri read aloud so I tell, and my teacher said “it happen it ok” I responded “I did on purpose” these are the thing that happen in a classroom every single day people think I accidentally summon Sri or that I am talking to them. I have accused of cheating or just playing on my tablet. Where I am use to learn. Yes it is frustrating but I am use to it. How is this not cheating I am wearing glasses right? And so some my other classmate this is not cheating but it is AT. (Rethinking Assistive Technology.)Or many peole think I am showing off or flexing when use my iPad. Yes this tablet and all my are worth a pretty penny but the school help out with some cost. (“Rethinking Assistive Technology”.) And as long break my iPad maintenance is minimal. Thank you cloud I love you. AT must take a lot of work. Yes it does but I am responsible for most of work since I am in high school. Elementary school is differ but how simple is close captioning people (Rethinking Assistive Technology.)


*Final thought Assistive technology is not only for kid with disabilities it as simple as personal computer. *
Work cited 
Sullivan, Jennifer. “Easy Ways to Bring Assistive Technology Into Your Classroom.” Edutopia, George Lucas Educational Foundation, 28 May 2019, www.edutopia.org/article/easy-ways-bring-assistive-technology-your-classroom.
Sullivan, Jennifer. “Rethinking Assistive Technology.” Edutopia, George Lucas Educational Foundation, 21 Feb. 2019, www.edutopia.org/article/rethinking-assistive-technology.



Thursday, December 12, 2019

Getting Girls Into STEM




Girls in stem only make up 1/4 of the workforce in stem jobs. Even through 1/2 of college workforce is female (Mantz) This is remarkable to me because Stem (science,technology and mathematics) are part of everyday lives in the 21st century especially technology. 

Here in NH 

The girls scouts of the Green and White mountains held there annual G.I.R.L Expo, this annual event bring over 2,000 people each year (Houghton). Patrica Mellor the CEO Girl Scouts for the Green and white mountain stated “The expo allows girls to explore different interests, without running to gender barriers (Houghton).” Allowing girls to be apart of these types of events will expand young girls horizons. And let be apart of stem without social pressure and without this pressure Girl will more willing to take part in stem careers. 

 Not only do the Girl Scouts of the Green and White  hold expos like these but just recently they also have receive a Stem on the go van  this gives girls in the New Hampshire and Vermont region access to materials such as 3D printer,Smart Tv and microscopes. (Houghton). Not allow access this technological features, but also 42 Stem related badges in the theme of stem such as programming, robotics and car careThe overall hope according to Mellor to keep girls interested stem because studies have shown girls lose interest by second grade (Houghton). This how people are getting Girls locally interested in Stem. But how are people doing this internationally. 
The new STEM badges for Girl Scouts