I will monitor progress by
considering behaviors of my students. Are students responding positively to the
new technologies? Are they confused?
I am definitely finding and executing the resources provided to
me. The Proloque app is proving to be an excellent resource. Our Special
Education Department downloaded it on my iPad and I have been customizing it
for one of my students. The Special Education teacher and I have been in close
correspondence about the best strategies for this child. The student is in need
of a visual aid as the day progresses because of the routine schedule he so
desperately craves.
There are some Social/Emotional Standards I am hoping the
specific student will have success with as he moves to Kindergarten:
S.E.PK.4- Interact and develop positive relationships with
significant adults
S.E.PK.7- Develop friendship skills (help, share, take turns,
give compliments) with increasing ease and comfort to sustain interaction by
cooperating, helping, and suggesting new ideas for play.
S.E.PK.9- Express feelings, needs, opinions, and desires in a
way which is appropriate to the situation.
S.E.PK.13- Engage easily in routine activities.
My student is responding positively to the iPad app. He is
slowly learning the routine of a normal day in Pre-K. Speaking quietly,
sharing, sitting down, playground rules, cleaning up, and nap time are all
things he is learning as he is exposed to school for the first time. The
student is constantly yelling so I revert back to the app so he can see and
hear “I can talk quietly.” I push the button, then he pushes the button. He
automatically becomes quiet. Also, before we go to the playground he pushes a
few buttons (I do not throw rocks, I will keep my hands to myself, I will
share) that he remembers. The iPad has become a friend to him where he can
communicate and revisit certain feelings, actions, and activities throughout
the day. Consistency of using the application is imperative for the child to
have success with the standards.
This
week we have been talking about assessment. Although in my original posting I
noted that formative assessments would be given to see progress I now acknowledge
that formative assessments may not measure the standards I have for my student.
I feel checklists “are a simple way to score the observation or demonstration
of a skill” (Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer, 2009, p. 154). I am prepared to use
this form of assessment when the time comes.
References:
Cennamo,
K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful
classroom use: A standards-based approach. (Laureate Education, Inc.,
Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Hi, Whitney!
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to this little one you are working with in your pre-school class. And kudos to you for what you have accomplished so far with him. It sounds like the iPad has been a very effective tool for him and I love how you described it: “The iPad has become a friend to him where he can communicate and revisit certain feelings, actions, and activities throughout the day.” It sounds like this little boy probably has trouble making friends. His tech friend is helping him transition to human friends.
You have revised your plan for assessing this child to include checklists which sounds like an effective strategy. I wonder, too, if video of him using his iPad to help him interact appropriately as you have taught him, might be another way of evaluating his growth over time. Best wishes with this little guy.
Amy Terrell
Whitney,
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate you sharing all of this information with everyone about the app that you are using. I wrote it down and will keep it in mind for students that may need something like this. It is wonderful that you are already seeing such great results for your student. Do you find that other students are bothered by the fact that he uses this app and no one else does? The fact that you and the student can press the button and hear the sentence multiple times is very useful. You could also try having him repeat the sentence back to you for more repetition.
You also mentioned assessments in your post. I think it is a great idea to move to a checklist. You already know what types of behaviors, actions, and academic work you are looking for and some of these would be easier to assess with a checklist. It sounds like you are already making progress with this student. Good luck and keep up the good work!
Tori
Whitney,
ReplyDeleteI revisited your last blog after reading this one on the app Proloque. I do not know how I missed that last week. I think that is a great application for students who struggle verbally and with scheduling. In my current school we have two self contained units. I was thinking this would be great for them. I also have a student in my own room that struggles with communication and proper behavior for varies situations. I am amazed at the new capabilities we have because of technology. Thank you for sharing.
Whitney,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like your student is responding well to his iPad app. How awesome that he can use it as a reminder to help him with his school behaviors and interactions with peers. I have never used or tried Proloque, but it sounds like a very useful and successful tool. How lucky this student is to have the access to technology like an iPad and this app to help him in his daily student life. It sounds like you are on the right track with your GAME Plan. I am excited to hear more about your student's progress with using Proloque!
Angel