OrCa on ubuntu Linux

So as I have mentioned I just started implementing a Linux os on my old laptop, while going over the different features of the particular distribution I loaded onto my computer I came across a AT tool called ORCA which comes pre-installed with unbuntu 10.04 Linux os. This feature is a alternative voice device, that speaks out what is typed, and there is also a feature of the physically challenged, allowing to use the computer through outside switches/devices designed for such programs. They mentioned that this is the most user friendly os for people with specific special needs, and the amazing thing is that it's a free open source system, that can be loaded onto any pc, new or old! Which breaths new life into those old pcs in the storage closet!

New Adventures in Linux

So I found out a couple of months ago that my position as an Inclusion Specialist has been cut at the district that I am at, and so the needs for my position will be eliminated as of 6/16/2011. This news was upsetting of course, but it has also been a opportunity to expand myself in gaining experience in working with elementary students, something that I haven’t really experienced until my student teaching placements last year. At any rate, I gain a lot of experience in this past year working on IEPs in SEIS, conducting IEP meetings, and dealing with “high profile” parents. I also learned a lot about how to implement different behavior interventions in the classroom through the use of positive behavior support, and had the opportunity to put into practice the things I learned in SPED 522.

I guess what I mostly sad about is having to turn in the new MacBook Pro that the district gave me to carry out my caseload duties. And so, I was left to have to figure out how to resurrect my overuse laptop that runs on windows vista, a real difficult task that I took upon myself these past few weeks. I first deleted all the excess files crowing my hard drive, the defragmented my machine to see if this may allow my laptop to run smoother. This did little in the way of improvement, but at least I was able to back up about two years worth of pictures, and music onto my external hard drive, which also saved a lot of space.

After trying to free up some space on the hard drive, I decided to run a Linux os, but did some research on which distribution would be the best. Taking on the task of eliminating widows from my hard drive and replacing it with a Linux os is something that I wanted to try on for some time now but haven’t had the courage until recently, due in part because of this class. Well after doing some research I came across Ubuntu 10.04, a very user-friendly version of Linux for your computer, and a distro that a good friend of mine, who has been using Linux for 15 years now, recommended highly to me. WOW! What a difference from windows, fast safe and secure. You can even upload it on to a USB drive and take with you, it takes up that little memory to run. Long story short, I’m now learning a lot about open source software, and Linux, especially since I’m not about to get onto the internet wirelessly, but I’m having a lot of fun working out the kinks. If you want to resurrect that old pc in the corner of your classroom I high suggest you look into Linux distros, to allow that useless chunk of plastic to become a useful tool for the advancement of the effectiveness of your role as an educator.

Creating a New type of curriculum

The other day while going over the course materials for SPED 504, Professor Sanchez mentioned something about having to teach kids how to read, when they have issue when processing information in the current way i.e. printed text. It really got me thinking about how we can implement other forms of modern media, especially with such devices as the iPad and iTouch, that are capable to stream video. Which is another form of media which professor Sanchez suggested as a medium to implement to use to instruct students, such as those that have issues with reading. Not to take away from traditional text book instruction, but we have to start thinking outside the proverbial box when it comes to teaching in the 21st century, otherwise we'll all lose out on a whole world of opportunity.

initial thoughts

My initial thoughts about using a Blog, would be to implement it as an extension of a High School level English class. Allowing students to post their thoughts about the State required canon in an informal fashion. I also think that this forum would be well accepted by some of my more tech savvy students with Aspergers syndrome. Who find the current conventional approach to education pointless, and a waist of time. They already have Blogs anyway, and it would be interesting to see how they'll engage in discussions for or against the required readings. I would also give credit to to those who choose to do their assignments (such as essays, personal narrative, etc.) in this format. Outside of this I don't really know, yet, how I'd use Blogging in my class. Most of all, I hope that this type of social media isn't too outdated already for my tech savvy Aspies, which I think it has. At any rate, I intend to try to keep as socially current as possible when it comes to my teaching style, and I'll be looking for other types of media/medium to do so. So I guess that will be the evolution of this Blog for this class.