February+11th

=__Disabled Bodies, Able Minds __=
 * From this story, I learned that people's thoughts and emotions can be expressed other ways than just through speaking or signing. I had no idea that through technology, children could show their emotions from their eyebrow movements and through their cheeks. I have never thought about the other ways that they body can get their thoughts across. This has showed how fast technology has evolved and what it is truly capable of

=__Assistive Technology Success Stories__ =
 * Through these success stories, it has become apparent that these children find these devices more fun than actual learning. For example, Elijah began to enjoy the special technology that he was given. It began to see it as a game instead of being in school and working. It shows that even with a diability, the children have the ability to enjoy the lessons as well.

[|DO-IT Video, Part of Me, Not All of Me] = = =__Blogs, Wikis, and Text Messaging __=
 * Blogs can be helpful for learning in the classroom because of the options it gives students. It allows students to learn interactively rather than just working with paper and notes. Some disabled students have to learn through videos and verbal directions. A blog allows a teacher to post videos and links for them to use to ease the process of their learning. Also, it can be used for discussions which gives students a chance to think about their answer. Some of these students feel ambushed when they are called on in class and get flustered trying to find an answer infront of other students. The blog would give them a chance to plan what they would say and change it if necessary.


 * Using Wikis in a classroom can have a postive effect on students. It can make children more excited to get involved since it is a more adanced way writing out their thoughts. An increased amount of excitement can lead to more thoughts and feelings being expressed in the class. It allows disabled students to keep up with the technology that continues to keep changing in education. Teachers will also find it easy to monitor what is being said by the students and able to keep an eye on them.


 * Text messaging has mostly been used as a social tool in society today. Some teachers are beginning to use it more often with their students and assignments. I feel that allowing the cell phone to be in classes can also have a huge possibility of using the phone socially rather than academically. Examples were using it to define words, but we still have classes today that use a dictionary or an online version. These types of technology can still be used without texting in class. Submitting answers this way can also be accomplished with blogs and wikis. Even though it has just began becoming more popular, I feel that it is still something that should mostly be used outside of the classroom.