1. Using Computer Technology to Promote Improved Learning and Behavior for all Students Dr. Stein Brunvand & Dr. Sara Byrd University of Michigan-Dearborn http://umdedtech.wikispaces.com/

2. sbrunvan@umd.umich.edusebyrd@umd.umich.edu Agenda Students at risk … unique learning needs and need for specialized interventions Tools to make online content more accessible –Search tools –TrackStar –Diigo –TidyRead –vozMe –VoiceThread

3. sbrunvan@umd.umich.edusebyrd@umd.umich.edu Classroom Challenges/Diverse Learners At-risk for school failure … 15-25% of school population –Disabilities –Poverty (free/reduced lunch) –Limited family support –Cultural differences –Ineffective curriculum/instructional practices (Mercer & Mercer, 2005)

4. sbrunvan@umd.umich.edusebyrd@umd.umich.edu Learner Characteristics Poor academic achievement Attention problems Hyperactivity/impulsivity Memory Poor language abilities/skills (especially in the area of pragmatics) Depression/anxiety Lack of resiliency Low motivation Passive learning styles/habits (learned helplessness)

5. sbrunvan@umd.umich.edusebyrd@umd.umich.edu Instructional Goals for ALL Students Methods/strategies to increase … –Engagement –Motivation –Active learning –Learner independence –Learning success

6. sbrunvan@umd.umich.edusebyrd@umd.umich.edu Individualizing Instruction for Students with IEP’s Technology can be used to customize instruction for students with disabilities Individualization/differentiation … particularly as related to how students acquire and store new learning/information and how students express new learning Technology to enhance motivation, engagement

7. sbrunvan@umd.umich.edusebyrd@umd.umich.edu Google Custom Search Engine Select only the sites you want students to search Allow students to conduct keyword search of those pre- selected sites Remove annoying ads from search results Share search engine with others, collaborate on adding sites Example: Solar System Search EngineSolar System Search Engine Example embedded in a Wiki: http://umdpractice.wikispaces.com/Search http://umdpractice.wikispaces.com/Search

8. sbrunvan@umd.umich.edusebyrd@umd.umich.edu Creating a Google Custom Search Engine Sign-up for Google account Identify initial websites Add sites Removing ads (use control panel under “business settings”) Sharing your search engine with others –Through direct URL –Through embedding in Wiki or other website –Editing the search engine/using the control panel

9. sbrunvan@umd.umich.edusebyrd@umd.umich.edu Assistive Search Tools Boolify: http://www.boolify.org/http://www.boolify.org/ –Scaffolds the boolean search process Quintara: http://quinturakids.com/http://quinturakids.com/ –Provides suggestions for keyword searches Qwiki: http://www.qwiki.com/http://www.qwiki.com/ –Provides search results in multimedia format

10. sbrunvan@umd.umich.edusebyrd@umd.umich.edu TrackStar Providing guided access to specific sites –http://trackstar.4teachers.org/trackstar/http://trackstar.4teachers.org/trackstar/ –Create a “track” through a specific set of websites –No keyword searching involved for students –Provide guidance to students through comments added to each site –Example: Track #426384 Creating your own Track –Sign up for Trackstar account –Write annotations/comments

11. sbrunvan@umd.umich.edusebyrd@umd.umich.edu Individualizing Instruction … Meeting Student Needs Normal clutter of keyword searches can be reduced Scaffolding provided to students to assist them in conducting effective searches for information Allows teacher to direct students to suitable websites based on reading level and other criteria

12. sbrunvan@umd.umich.edusebyrd@umd.umich.edu Diigo Social bookmarking tool –http://www.diigo.comhttp://www.diigo.com –Create a web-archive of saved sites –Categorize sites by lists and keywords –Easily share sites with others –Add comments, notes and highlights to sites –Teacher account available –Demonstration

13. sbrunvan@umd.umich.edusebyrd@umd.umich.edu Individualizing Instruction … Meeting Student Needs Teachers can annotate a page to be shared with students in order to draw attention to specific information or guide learning Students can mark-up pages as they do research and find information online Supports students in the saving and archiving of sites/resources they find online

14. sbrunvan@umd.umich.edusebyrd@umd.umich.edu TidyRead Designed to make online content easier to read –http://www.tidyread.com/http://www.tidyread.com/ –Remove the clutter of the web –Minimize distractions from images, animations, and other multimedia –Browser plugin available (works best this way) –Example page: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2944.html http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2944.html

15. sbrunvan@umd.umich.edusebyrd@umd.umich.edu vozMe Quickly converts text to speech –http://vozme.com/index.php?lang=enhttp://vozme.com/index.php?lang=en –Text-to-speech converter –Also works best with browser plugin –Use in conjunction with TinyRead or TrackStar –Example page: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2944.html http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2944.html

16. sbrunvan@umd.umich.edusebyrd@umd.umich.edu Individualizing Instruction … Meeting Student Needs Students can make individual choices on how to view/listen to content based on need Teachers can make online (and offline) content more accessible regardless of reading ability Can empower students to customize their learning experience as needed

17. sbrunvan@umd.umich.edusebyrd@umd.umich.edu VoiceThread Create conversations around –Images –Videos –Documents –Power Point slides A demo is worth a thousand words –http://voicethread.com/http://voicethread.com/

18. sbrunvan@umd.umich.edusebyrd@umd.umich.edu Comment Options Students can comment by… –Recorded voice –Webcam (captures both video and audio) –Typed response –Phone recording (if you don’t have microphones) –Uploaded file (with a pre-recorded message)

19. sbrunvan@umd.umich.edusebyrd@umd.umich.edu Benefits of Comment Features Enables authentic participation/student “voice” Reading difficulties mitigated by audio features Writing difficulties minimized by using recording options Multisensory learning experience (e.g., reading text is paired w/ audio supports; typing text is paired with recording response)

20. sbrunvan@umd.umich.edusebyrd@umd.umich.edu Benefits of Comment Features Students actively engaged Self-paced (affords time to formulate response) Student responses can be “moderated”; reduces/eliminates errors in responding (reduces/eliminates embarrassment) Reduces feelings of inadequacy b/c “level playing field”; promotes student/learning success

21. sbrunvan@umd.umich.edusebyrd@umd.umich.edu Classroom Account Details on a Classroom Account –http://voicethread.com/pricing/k12/http://voicethread.com/pricing/k12/ –$60 per year –Unlimited VoiceThreads –Create/manage student accounts (no e-mail required) –VoiceThreads automatically private to class –Students can create own VoiceThreads

22. sbrunvan@umd.umich.edusebyrd@umd.umich.edu Making a VoiceThread Create an account Upload media (images, Power Point, video clips etc.) Add comments/prompts/directions Share with students

23. sbrunvan@umd.umich.edusebyrd@umd.umich.edu Individualizing Instruction … Meeting Student Needs Instructional input/output can be adjusted to meet learning styles/preferences Students are able to share their voice – despite learning limitations Increased motivation when work is shared w/ others/source of pride Visually stimulating but also can control “clutter” Self-paced/individualized wait time Increased competence/self-confidence

24. sbrunvan@umd.umich.edusebyrd@umd.umich.edu Thank you! Stein Brunvand (sbrunvan@umd.umich.edu)sbrunvan@umd.umich.edu Sara Byrd (sebyrd@umd.umich.edu)sebyrd@umd.umich.edu