Digital Directions #1 – My Top Picks
This is the first of a new, regular blog post, highlighting current directions and understandings in the use of technology in the classroom supporting the learning of all students. Each blog post I will seek to highlight key or emerging articles and research, technology tools and practices, and innovative and emerging technologies.¹
What the literature is telling us
Top 2013 Articles That You Must Read to Inform Your Special Education Technology Work from Dave Edyburn, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
https://pantherfile.uwm.edu/edyburn/www/what/top2013.html
Research on the Technology Implementation Process, Center for Technology Implementation, 2013:
The PowerUp WHAT WORKS Team at the Center for Technology Implementation has conducted extensive reviews of the literature on technology implementation and implementation science. View their collection of references on the technology implementation process via http://bit.ly/1z3qjIQ
Technology implementation – Accessibility tools
Switch Control in iOS 8?
Check out this awesome video overview of iOS 8 accessibility from Christopher Hills
Google accessibility?
More and more classrooms and schools, and their students, are exploring the use of Google tools. Having these tools accessible for all is essential. http://www.google.com.au/accessibility/all-products-features.html
Alternative Keyboards on iOS 8 devices to check out:
[link ids=”superkeys-the-assistive-keyboard-for-ipad-and-iphone, keedogo-keyboard-for-beginning-typers, keedogo-plus-keyboard-for-education, keeble-accessible-keyboard, lowercase-keyboard”]
[link ids=”fleksy, swype, swiftkey-keyboard, ginger-keyboard-page, writepad”]
See http://www.spectronics.com.au/blog/apps/category/ios-keyboards/ for more keyboards.
Innovations and possibilities
Wearable technology in the classroom
The Future of Wearable Technology at school is here! Check out the following video from wideo.co/blog/imagining-wearable-technology-in-the-classroom
How will this technology impact on students with diverse learning needs? See this blog post for more http://www.spectronics.com.au/blog/new-technologies/wearing-possibilities-on-your-sleeve/ Definitely an innovation to key an eye on, or wear!
How to identify the key trends, significant challenges, and emerging technologies in education?
The annual NMC Horizon Report can help: http://www.nmc.org/publications/2014-horizon-report-k12 and http://www.nmc.org/publications/2014-horizon-report-higher-ed
That’s it from me. Until next time keep seeing the possibilities,
Cheers, Greg.
[vimeo id=”114110536″ subscription=”true” login_description=”A video demonstrating the Alternative Keyboards on iOS 8 devices will soon be available through a ‘Spectronics Online’ subscription. In the meantime, check out this video from Amanda which includes how to install an alternative keyboard”]
¹ Digital Directions – Top Picks from Greg O’Connor also appears in the newsletter for the New South Wales State Chapter of the Australian Association of Special Education.
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