C4T #1

My first C4T assignment came from the blog "Trails Optional" by Jen Deyenberg. Jen Deyenberg is an educator that has been in the classroom for ten years in Alberta and Scotland. She travels, loves the outdoors, and loves technology. She has her Masters in Education with a specialization in Information Technology Leadership. 

Post #1: Video Games in the Inclusive Classroom

I was always that person that said that video games are a waste of time; Jen Deyenberg changed my mind. The way that she introduced her argument was phenomenal. This paper that she wrote and added to her blog described how video games can play a huge role in the inclusive classroom. Video games can compensate for those students that have physical or learning disabilities in the way that not only are these students doing what the other students are doing, but also, they are also provided with a new set of possibilities and a platform to explore and express in ways they never could before. Video games give students the chance to play equally and gives them the opportunity to be themselves and engage, play, and learn in a fun, engaging opportunity. Video games give students with disabilities the option to explore a world that they typically do not get to engage in. She discusses that these students can run and jump and enjoy a world that they can't experience in the physical world.

In her blog she describes different types of games, websites, and consoles that can be used inside the classroom to expand learning. One that she described was the Microsoft Kinect. The Kinect has the ability to pick up on movement and that is how the game is played. There are learning and teaching advantages to using the Kinect. One of the biggest ways is by allowing teachers and students to fully participate with this device while creating a level playing field for all learners, engaging them at the same time. Two games that are used are The Sims and Minecraft. Both of these games allow students to build their own world using the technology. Finally, Game Maker is a resource that students can use to create their own games. These different tools allow the struggling student to create a simple game while the more advanced learners can create more complex worlds. 

Comment #1

I started my comment telling Jen who I am, where I go to school, and the class that I am taking. I told her the way that I previously felt about video games, especially in school. I made it clear that she changed my opinion. Video games should be a part of the inclusive classroom, along with outside of the classroom in order for students to have continuing growth. I told her that it teaches the teacher that more resources are out there other than the ones found online. Teachers can use a lot of different things to incorporate technology. 

I went on to tell Jen that her points on disabilities were wonderful. So often students with disabilities can't enjoy their world because they are trapped. They can run in these games and play as if nothing is wrong. Students without disabilities don't often see that to someone with one, running on a screen is a big deal. It makes these students feel included wherever they are learning. 

Post #2: Bridging Apps: An App Search Engine for the Inclusive Education

This second post from Jen Deyenberg's blog titled "Bridging Apps: An App Search Engine for the Inclusive Education" was a good resource to use in the classroom and as an educator. This post goes into extensive detail about the resource Bridging Apps. This resource is an app finder that will help a teacher find a specific app that could be used in the classroom. It will direct teachers to apps for various grade levels, subjects, or high need learners. This search engine provides apps for iOS and Android devices. You can search by different parameters such as: main search box, skill level, mobile device, embedded skills, independent traits, assistive traits, assistive/independent, iTunes/Android categories, and also Bridging Apps categories. You can choose any to all of these categories when searching. 

Whenever you have the list of apps after you searched, Bridging apps gives a picture, the name of the app, a bridge symbol (indicating that the app has been reviewed by the Bridging Apps community), and a star rating. Once you open the app, it will give screenshots, attributes, a description, and user feedback. The feedback section is helpful so that you can see how people are using it and what they think. This tool is great for finding apps that you may not have heard of based on the learning needs of the student.

Comment #2

For my second comment, I went in to detail about the things that I liked about her post. I mentioned that so often some educators don't know all of the resources that can be used in a classroom, and it is such a great thing that all of the teachers across the country are in this together. I also told her that I liked that she went into detail about the resource. Some people try to describe what some people need as a resource but the person describing it can't get it out in just the right words. This can often lead to the person not even trying the resource. My final thought on her blog post was that it was for iOS devices along with Google devices. This can be a problem at times because some can try it and others can't. I liked her post, and I am glad that I read it. It is something that I will definitely use in my future career.