On 04/26/2020,
in accessibility / UDL, assistive technologies, education, education technology, health, homeschooling/homeschoolers, human-computer interaction (HCI), K-12 related, languages and translation, Microsoft, neurodivergent/special needs, online learning, online media, platforms, psychology, remote teaching and learning, youth,
by Daniel Christian
Special education and accessibility resources for remote learning — from education.microsoft.com
Excerpt:
For special educators, diversity demands they provide inclusive, accessible learning environments that inspire confidence and encourage independence differently for each student. Learn about how to create a personalized and engaging remote learning experience for all of your students through the resources provided in these pages.
These resources are intended for all educators, but will be especially helpful for educators and support staff who work in the following areas: special education, assistive technology, blind and visually impaired, deaf and hard of hearing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech language pathology, early childhood special education, behavior, counseling, school psychology, language interpretation, literacy, autism, and many other areas that assist students who need specially designed instruction.
On 04/24/2020,
in assessment, dangers of the status quo, Daniel S. Christian, education, education reform, homeschooling/homeschoolers, ideas, K-12 related, learner profiles, learning, learning ecosystem, Learning from the Living [Class] Room, learning preferences, lifelong learning, love of learning, more voice more choice more control, motivation, neurodivergent/special needs, parents/guardians, participation, personalized/customized learning, platforms, policy, reinvent, society, student teaching/teacher education, student-related, surviving, teachers, teaching & learning, technologies for your home, traditional / tradition, trends, United States, user experience (UX), vision/possibilities, youth,
by Daniel Christian
From DSC:
NOTE: The K-12 education system that I’m talking about in this posting is the pre-COVID-19 education system.
What Cory Henwood describes here…
…is what I describe as the quickly moving K-12 education train that stops for no one!
(image source)
This becomes especially troublesome for those on either side of the 80% bell curve. I know about this, as one of our daughters has been living through this phenomenon for years. We are seriously considering homeschooling for her as we want her learning experiences to be more positive ones for her. We want to provide more choice, more control for what she wants to learn about — and the pace at which she can go through those experiences. We want there to be more joy in her learning experiences. This will hopefully help her build more positive perspectives about learning in general.
This is not a mute issue…nor is this a topic that’s focused on just students with special needs. In fact, this topic is relevant to every single student in America — as everyone is now required to be lifelong learners these days. Grades need to diminish in importance. The enjoyment of learning needs to rise.
Note: There were some times in public and charter schools that provided courses and topics of great interest to her, and provided some great joy to her. Plus, there were some incredibly-dedicated teachers and staff that created a team around our daughter. I’m very grateful for them and for their efforts. But positive learning experiences were becoming too few and too far between. The train left the station *for everyone* at such-and-such a time, and stopped *for everyone* at such and such a time. The education system required that she and her classmates move at a certain (high) speed — regardless of their mastery of the content. Teachers know what I’m talking about here…big time.
We need to get to what Cory discusses about when he discusses competency-based education.
Plus, we need to get to a place where there is:
On 04/02/2020,
in Canvas - and other Instructure-related items, CMS/LMS, collaboration, education, elearning, engagement / engaging students, homeschooling/homeschoolers, K-12 related, learning, learning ecosystem, Learning from the Living [Class] Room, more voice more choice more control, motivation, neurodivergent/special needs, online media, parents/guardians, participation, passions, student-related, teachers, technologies for your home, tools, United States, vendors, videoconferencing, web-based collaboration, youth,
by Daniel Christian
Homeschooling During the COVID-19 Pandemic — from cato.org by Kerry McDonald
Excerpt:
In a recent three-part Cato Daily Podcast series, I spoke with host Caleb Brown about this unprecedented educational moment, including sharing strategies and resources for overcoming the challenges of unexpected, unchosen homeschooling, as well as possible outcomes as more parents seek alternatives to conventional schooling post-pandemic.
More Free Resources For New Homeschoolers — from forbes.com by Nick Morrison
Excerpt:
Last month I highlighted some of the free resources available for parents — and teachers — during the pandemic, but since then a number of other organizations have offered their resources, expertise and support for free, so here is another selection, for the benefit of ordinary homeschoolers in these extraordinary times.
From DSC:
Below are excerpts from a recent email that I received as a cc: to our son and am passing it along in case it helps others out there.
I would like to share with you important guidance on how to get the most out of your online learning experience.
ORGANIZING YOUR SPACE
Set up your home classroom space. This is important. Be sure you have a space that is comfortable and where you can focus on your studies, your practice, your craft and your learning. This can be private or shared, whatever works for you and your family.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
- Computer
- Internet Access, preferably high-speed broadband, is required for video conferencing and class assignments. Most of the expected work will not require streaming, but a secure internet connection will help a lot.
- Headphones help minimize extraneous noise. They can also help signal to others in your home that you are online and on-task.
- Zoom, our preferred video conferencing software, can be downloaded here.
SCHEDULE
You will complete your work and engage in your lessons in two ways. Some assignments are laid out in your Canvas class and can be completed at your own pace, turning work in when due. And some of your classes and lessons will require you to connect with faculty and students in real time. When a real-time option is possible, be sure to take it.
STAYING CONNECTED
Again, be sure to connect in real time as often as possible. There are lots of opportunities to connect with faculty and students every day.
…
Join in as many real time experiences as you can. These human connections, across the internet, are so important during this time when we are all separated physically.
NORMS FOR VIDEO-CONFERENCING
- Log in on time, and be fully prepared with any necessary materials, notebooks, etc.
- Wear clothes like what you would wear to school.
- Remain present and engaged throughout the session. Do not open additional windows or use other technology during the session, unless it is part of class.
- Join sessions in a quiet space, if you can, where you will not distract others and not be distracted.
- Mute your microphone when not speaking.
SUMMARY OF STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
- Establish a daily routine for your school work.
- Find a comfortable, distraction-free place in your home where you can work.
- Check email and Canvas each day to learn about the expectations for your work.
- Perform tasks as outlined by instructors in Canvas and seek clarification from teachers on any assignments where you need it.
- For classes meeting “live,” login to real-time video services (Zoom) for dialogue with teachers and members of your class. Attend faculty office hours. They want to see you!
- Put forth your best effort.
- Communicate with your instructors, your advisor, your residence life coordinator, and/or Academic and College Counseling.
- If you need anything, let us know.
Under the Table and Teaching: 11 Expert Tips for Schooling Kids with ADHD from Home — from additudemag.com
Unschooling. Homeschooling. Crisis schooling. What is the difference? And what are the best learning strategies for your child with ADHD at this stressful time? Here are tips and strategies from education experts who understand the distinctions and today’s inescapable realities.
Excerpts:
11 Ways to Support Learning at Home
-
- Focus learning on your child’s natural interests.
- If your child gets stressed, take a break.
- Make learning a game.
- Embrace Minecraft.
- Add movement to promote learning.
- Build focus with busy hands and feet.
- Tap into online tutors.
- Ditch the worksheets. Use educational videos, phone apps, educational podcasts, or other media to introduce or expand on a subject.
- Take things one day at a time.
- Follow your child’s lead.
- Accept that homeschooling may not work for you.
Research Quest Live sign up
Though the museum is currently closed, the Natural History Museum of Utah is allowing kids around the globe the opportunity to transport back in time to a past where dinosaurs roamed the world. With the recently launched Research Quest Live, offering a taste of the world with virtual tours and free access to daily online science classes taught by museum educators.
Common Sense Launches Wide Open School to Help Families and Educators Transition to Students Learning from Home — from commonsensemedia.org
As Schools Continue to Close as a Result of the Coronavirus Pandemic, Some of the Most Respected Companies in Education, Media, and Tech Join Forces to Offer a Free and Open Collection of Quality Online Learning Resources to Educators and Families.
Excerpt:
SAN FRANCISCO, March 31, 2020—Common Sense, the leading nonprofit organization whose mission is to help kids, families, and educators thrive in a world of media and technology, has convened a group of education, media, and tech partners to launch WideOpenSchool.org, a free online resource to support families and educators who are transitioning to remote learning as a result of the coronavirus.
Wide Open School features the very best resources from publishers, nonprofits, and education companies, including the American Federation of Teachers, Amplify, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Head Start, Khan Academy, National Geographic, Noggin, PBS, Scholastic, Sesame Workshop,Time for Kids, XQ Institute, and YouTube. Find the full site at WideOpenSchool.org.
On 03/04/2020,
in assistive technologies, biology, Daniel S. Christian, education, education reform, health, homeschooling/homeschoolers, ideas, K-12 related, law schools, learner profiles, learning, learning ecosystem, learning preferences, learning theories, lifelong learning, love of learning, neurodivergent/special needs, society, student-related, teachers, teaching & learning, teaching online, youth,
by Daniel Christian
From DSC:
What I mean by this is this:
While I certainly agree that research has produced excellent, proven, effective pedagogies that work with many students (the majority even), the fact is, learning is messy. When a child walks into a classroom, there isn’t even one other child with the exact same neural situation.
Nor is there even one other student with the exact same experiences, background, passions, motivations, interests, etc. I’ve experienced this with our daughter who isn’t a part of the 80% that the typical education train addresses. Look out if you are part of the 10% of either side of the bell curve! As your learning experiences are too costly to address and likely won’t be addressed in many cases.
All that said, I still agree that the teaching and learning strategies are still highly relevant across the masses. My point is that there is still a lot of diversity out there. They say that learning is messy for a reason. If you doubt that, go sit in on an IEP sometime.
On 02/20/2020,
in 24x7x365 access, 3D, accessibility / UDL, colleges, community colleges, design, immersion, innovation, intelligent systems, interactivity, interface design, learning hubs & pods & microschooling, learning spaces, neurodivergent/special needs, platforms, tools, universities, usability, user experience (UX), vendors,
by Daniel Christian
Concept3D introduces wheelchair wayfinding feature to support campus accessibility — from concept3d.echoscomm.com with thanks to Delaney Lanker for this resource
System makes wheelchair friendly campus routes easy to find and follow
Excerpt:
Concept3D, a leader in creating immersive online experiences with 3D modeling, interactive maps and virtual tour software, today announced the launch of a new wheelchair wayfinding feature that adds a new level of accessibility to the company’s interactive map and tour platform.
With the new wheelchair accessible route functionality, Concept3D clients are able to offer a separate set of wayfinding routes specifically designed to identify the most efficient and easiest routes.
Concept3D’s wayfinding system uses a weighted algorithm to determine the most efficient route between start and end points, and the new system was enhanced to factor in routing variables like stairs, curb cuts, steep inclines, and other areas that may impact accessibility.
Also see:
Wayfinding :: Wheelchair Accessible Routes — from concept3d.com
On 12/21/2019,
in experimentation, health, ideas, K-12 related, neurodivergent/special needs, student-related, teachers,
by Daniel Christian
White Bread Mold Experiment Teaches the Importance of Washing Hands — from interestingengineering.com by Donna Fuscaldo
An elementary school teacher used an experiment with white bread to show how important is to wash your hands.
Excerpts:
Flu season is around the corner and Jaralee Metcalf, a behavioral specialist who works with autistic students in elementary school wanted to teach the importance of washing hands to stave off the influenza virus.
…
“As somebody who is sick and tired of being sick and tired of being sick and tired. Wash your hands! Remind your kids to wash their hands! And hand sanitizer is not an alternative to washing hands!! At all!.” wrote Metcalf in his Facebook post.
On 12/08/2019,
in accessibility / UDL, adjunct faculty, assistive technologies, colleges, community colleges, higher education, legislatures / government / legal, neurodivergent/special needs, policy, society, teaching & learning, teaching online, United States, universities,
by Daniel Christian
Accessibility at a Crossroads: Balancing Legal Requirements, Frivolous Lawsuits, and Legitimate Needs — from er.educause.edu by Martin LaGrow
Excerpt:
Changes in legal requirements for IT accessibility have prompted some to pursue self-serving legal actions. To increase access to users of all abilities, colleges and universities should articulate their commitment to accessibility and focus on changing institutional culture.