learning+log

Learning Log #1
In Class: Coming into this class, I was excited to learn about AT but knew that it was going to be a challenge for me. Being a student that is not very computer savvy, I knew that I was going to have to stay on top of this course. After the first class, I was very overwhelmed with the thought of everything that needs to be done for this class. After playing around with wikispace, and still not understanding it fully, I am trying to take it day but day. I really like the fact that we have time for hands on time in class to play around with the computer, allowing us to ask questions and having them answered right then. I am hoping that the confusion I am feeling right now, will go away.

I liked working with a partner on the IDEA project. Having a question that it a real life situation helped me understand how to explain it in a way to help every parent understand the law.

Readings: After reading the articles, I now have a better understanding of what the history of AT. In Blackhurst and Edyburn's article, it gave a in depth look at the history of AT for Special Education. It was interesting to learn about all the AT that was happening in the early 1600's that I didn't think would be AT, like the Abacus. It was also interesting to read how many different AT started happening in the Mid- 1900's, when all the laws were implemented. This article was informative but also an overwhemling amount of information to read about. In the essay but Edyburn, it talked more about the how to meet the needs of the students and implement the AT services. I thought that this article was great because it made me think about how I can implement AT in a school where there is not a special education department. Overall, these articles were a great way to introduce the history of AT and ways they can be implement in the classroom.

In the book, Chapter 1 discussed how school systems are implementing AT in the classroom. It gave different examples on how to use AT for the same assignment. It gave me a better understanding on how students can be creative with presentation by using AT, allows the student to shine in a different way than just talking in front of the class. Capter 1 also bave a brief summary of some new technologies and brain research allows us to look new AT to use. It gave a brief summary of UDL. I am excited to learn more about it.