http://web.me.com/ldconsultants/Learning_Differences_Consultants/Technology_Blog/Technology_Blog.html The purpose of this “blog” page is to stimulate discussion around the use of technology to help students who have difficulty learning. Often, the technology can significantly change the task, and in the process of doing so eliminate the barrier to learning. Feel free to share your experiences, add you comments or ask questions. There will be several simultaneous discussions, and you will be able to comment on each. Please contribute, because the more comfortable you are trying a new technology, the more likely you are to apply it in your classroom. FYI the cover shown on the left is from Oct. 1922 and showed what later became e-mail.<br/><br/>Select the entry you would like to read and discuss and click on the comment button to add your contribution. <br/><br/> iWeb 3.0.1 http://web.me.com/ldconsultants/Learning_Differences_Consultants/Technology_Blog/Technology_Blog_files/main.phpg2_view%3Dcore.jpg http://web.me.com/ldconsultants/Learning_Differences_Consultants/Technology_Blog/Technology_Blog.html http://web.me.com/ldconsultants/Learning_Differences_Consultants/Technology_Blog/Entries/2009/9/7_Is_your_choice_%E2%80%9CHigh_tech_or_nothing%E2%80%9D.html eca26829-997e-4ae2-9def-dcd71f0e4476 Mon, 7 Sep 2009 21:40:00 -0400 Fast Fact reading Series 3 No. 4 addresses the issue of “those that frame the question control the discussion.” So, this entry asks the question, “Should the teacher throw out anything old, for the sake of embracing new technology.” You hear statements that teachers need to start using My Space, Twitter, begin text messaging, making movies, and putting your lessons into a digital format so that students can load you into their iPod. What exactly is the right question to ask?<br/><br/>What do I need to do so that I do not look like an instructional dinosour? Nope!<br/>How can I use MTV to set content standards? I don’t think so!<br/>Does the fact that I bring my cell phone to class count for anything? Nein!<br/>What technology holds promise for helping students learn material that they currently seem to be unable to learn? Bingo! <br/><br/>So, lets look at some old and new “technology” and see which might have promise for helping students with learning difficulties. You can rate each on a scale of: 0 = throw it out, it’s old and useless, 1 = it’s old but still has some use, 2 = it’s old but still has a lot of life left in it, 3 = it’s new but I’m not sure what to do with it, and 4 = it’s new and I can see lots of ways to use it. Which ones do you view as being the most relevant, having the most potential for the future. <br/><br/>Overhead projector Scanner<br/>Talking dictionary Cable subscription for your classroom<br/>Digital tape recorder White board with colored markers<br/>Digital movie camera Smart board<br/>Digital still camera Movie capacity in a digital camera<br/>Page design software Books on tape or CD<br/>Television Downloadable digital books<br/>iPhone with “apps” Digital book readers (i.e. Kindle)<br/>Google Maps Overhead transparencies<br/>Search engines Noise blocking headphones<br/><br/>OK, now it’s time for you to provide some some comments regarding the use of technology in teaching students with learning difficulties.<br/>