Episode Overview-

This episode of the A.T.TIPSCAST is sponsored by the book The Practical (and Fun) Guide to Assistive Technology in Public Schools. Learn more at http://iste.org/chewat.

Episode #89 features a look at the free fraction tools provided by ConceptuaMath as well as a few other tools useful for visualizing, representing, and understanding fractions.

This episode also features a bumper from Linda Augel, from the Virginia Department of Education’s Training and Technical Assistance Center, telling everyone about their A.T.TIP Line (1-804-828-4927) which you can call to get assistance on anything related to assistive technology.

A.T.TIPS In This Episode-

A.T.TIP #256 - Free Fraction Tools from ConceptuaMath.com

A.T.TIP #257 – Creating graphs in Excel

A.T.TIP#258 – Creating graphs in Google Docs Spreadsheets

A.T.TIP#259 – Create-A-Graph web site from National Center for Educational Statistics

Contact Information-

About.me/chrisbugaj

Twitter.com/attipscast

attipscast@gmail.com

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Over the winter break my in-laws came into town giving my wife and I an opportunity to have a day out together. We did some shopping, grabbed a bite to eat, and went to see Mission Impossible for the heck of it. As it turns out, we both really enjoyed it.

What I found most interesting about the movie were the parallels in the story to building and maintaining an assistive technology team. Without providing any spoilers, the movie centers around a small team of professionals who use technology to overcome problem after problem in order to achieve their objectives.  The team utilizes their different talents to assess each situation by analyzing their environment and then implementing technology to address the issues.

To me, this is exactly how a team of educators considers assistive technology for a student. The team analyzes the situation, determines what goals need to be met, and then decide what tools are necessary to address those goals.

Approximately half way through the movie the team of good guys realize that they will not be able to acquire any more resources. They are forced to find solutions using only what they have available to them. When implementing technology for a student, educators should first look to what they already have in their environment. Technology that is present and available to every student is always the best place to start and typically these tools are considered the least restrictive solutions. Furthermore, in the current fiscal environment of shrinking budgets, using what’s freely available first, before looking for external solutions that cost money, helps to keep funds available for when a student absolutely needs something to be purchased.

As the events of the plot unfold, the team finds that technology fails them…over and over again. As the technology fails, the team is forced to improvise to continue on their mission.  Unfortunately, this holds true in the world of education as well. Technology breaks down and back-up plans needs to be implemented so students aren’t left floundering without the supports they need to help them achieve their goals.  When the technology goes down, it’s up to the educational team to review, revise, and react, often in innovative ways, to make sure students succeed.

At the end, it’s no surprise, that Tom Cruise’s team is victorious. As team leader he gives a short speech explaining how proud he is of the team for their resiliency, collaboration, and never-give-up attitude. Even if you think the mission in front of you is impossible, whether it be stopping a terrorist from enacting his nefarious plot or assisting a student in achieving his or her educational goals, the edict is the same- failure is not an option.

Providing necessary technology to help students achieve their educational goals is your mission, and if you’re a good educational team, your only choice is to accept it.

Filed under: Assistive Technology, Universal Design for Learning Tagged: Brad Bird, Education, Educational Technology, ghost protocol, ghostprotocol, Incredibles, Instructional Technology, Iron Giant, mission impossible, missionimpossible, movie review, movies, Netflix, public schools, Ratatouille, Special Education, teaming, teams, technology, Tom Cruise, Twitter ]]> http://attipscast.com/2012/01/16/assistive-technology-movie-review-mission-impossible-ghost-protocol/feed/ 4 Chris TomcruiseMI ChrisMI http://attipscast.com/2012/01/15/surprise-chris-happy-birthday/ http://attipscast.com/2012/01/15/surprise-chris-happy-birthday/#comments Sun, 15 Jan 2012 11:29:09 +0000 Christopher Bugaj http://attipscast.com/?p=1160 Continue reading →]]> Hi All,

This is Chris’ wife, Mel. I am hijacking his blog. How I got in here isn’t important . Let’s just say it took some gum, a ferret, and an accomplice to help me break in. Whew, I am feeling like a fish out of water in WordPress. It is fancy in here. Why am I here, you ask?

IT’S CHRIS’ BIRTHDAY!!!

Happy Birthday Chris! As part of your present, I collected some audio birthday messages for you!  You will find the links below to hear them:

Sally and Molly’s Talking Tom app message – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnKqOzD8nZs&feature=youtu.be

Sean’s Fotobabble message- http://www.fotobabble.com/m/Q1hrRXRFdFR3NDQ9

Patrick’s Vocaroo message- http://vocaroo.com/?media=vffbVuhcgcCbmh91z

Brian’s Songify App message- http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4768678/Happy%20Birthday%20Chris%21.mp3

Jeannette‘s Voice Memo message – http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4768678/Voice%20005.amr

Flanigan Family Vocaroo message- http://vocaroo.com/?media=v7rRkKrS5f4QPFTz7

Matt’s Vocaroo message from Paris- http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4768678/Memo.mp3

Night Light Stories Household’s Vocaroo message- http://vocaroo.com/?media=vzuonVBfIudEkmgU3

Darth Vader’s Birthday Message- http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dEWv19Eh8b8#!

Milliman Family Vocaroo message- http://vocaroo.com/?media=v1kHX1gadBEQDgtPE

Chris’s Voice Memo Message – http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4768678/happy%20happy.amr

Beth‘s WordFoto app Picture message -

Amy‘s Doodle Buddy App Picture Message -

Please feel free to leave a birthday wish for Chris in the comments! I know he would LOVE to hear from you!

Thanks for having me!

We now return you to your regularly scheduled blog!

Episode Overview-

This episode of the A.T.TIPSCAST is sponsored by Texthelp Systems, provider of award-winning literacy solutions including Read&Write GOLD and Fluency Tutor. To learn about these products and their new suite of web apps go to www.texthelp.com.

Episode #88 features the second of two episodes describing the use of websites featuring activities which utilize webcams to engage students through interactive, gesture-based activities.

This episode also features a bumper from Kelly Ligon, from the Virginia Department of Education’s Training and Technical Assistance Center, telling everyone about the new online version of the Techknowledgy Conference which you can access over at http://ttaconline.org/atsdp

A.T.TIPS In This Episode-

A.T.TIP #252 – Bubble Burst

A.T.TIP #253 – Catch The Hoops

A.T.TIP #254 – Furry Mind

A.T.TIP #255 – WebCam Mania

Additional Information –

As a reminder of what was mentioned in Part 1, this is an example of a message where the user needs to allow the website access to the webcam.

Contact Information-

About.me/chrisbugaj

Twitter.com/attipscast

attipscast@gmail.com

Register as a fan of the show to receive e-mail alerts for new episodes

Episode Overview-

This episode of the A.T.TIPSCAST is sponsored by Night Light Stories. Night Light Stories is a free audio podcast featuring original stories for children of all ages! Learn more at nightlightstories.net or subscribe now in iTunes!

Episode #87 features a discussion of implementation strategies and resources for using free audio fiction in the classroom by special guest host Melissa Bugaj. She also blogs about family exploits and adventures at http://accordingtomags.blogspot.com.

Also, I’d like to thank Tom Woodward for contributing the bumper at the beginning of the episode. You can check out his website at http://bionicteaching.com.

A.T.TIPS In This Episode-

A.T.TIP #247 -  The Sesame Street Podcast (Video Podcast)

A.T.TIP #248 – The Storynory Podcast

A.T.TIP#249 – Barefoot Books Podcast

A.T.TIP#250 – Librivox.org

A.T.TIP#251 – Loudlit.org

Also Mentioned In This Episode

A.T.TIP#58 – Night Light Stories

A.T.TIP#229 – Podiobooks.com

Contact Information-

About.me/chrisbugaj

Twitter.com/attipscast

attipscast@gmail.com

Register as a fan of the show to receive e-mail alerts for new episodes

Episode Overview-

This episode of the A.T.TIPSCAST is sponsored by Texthelp Systems, provider of award-winning literacy solutions including Read&Write GOLD and Fluency Tutor. To learn about these products and their new suite of web apps go to www.texthelp.com.

Episode #86 features a round robin resource sharing event conducted during the Virginia Society for Technology in Education 2011 Conference in Roanoke, Virginia known as the “Strategy Smackdown.” Participants in the Smackdown shared different tools useful to help educate students.

Also, I’d like to thank Adam Bellow for contributing the bumper at the beginning of the episode. You can check out his website at  http://edutecher.net.

Special thanks to Andy Rothenberger for taking notes of the event (which helped tremendously in putting the list below together) and for posting his notes to the VSTE 2011 Collaboratively Google Doc.

A.T.TIPS In This Episode-

A.T.TIP #233: http://superherosquad.marvel.com/cyoc by Chris Bugaj

Previous A.T.TIP #149: www.taggalaxy.de by Adam Bellow

A.T.TIP #234: Twiddla.com by Andy Rothenberger

A.T.TIP #235: Elmo’s Adventures in Spending, Saving, and Sharing Podcast by Chris Bugaj

A.T.TIP #236: Edmodo.com by Rebecca Evan

A.T.TIP #237: Schoology.com by Adam Bellow

A.T.TIP #238: Toontastic iOS App by Bambi Feighner

Previous A.T.TIP #127: Wordle.net by Liz Thomas

A.T.TIP #239: Tagxedo.com by Andy Rothenberger

A.T.TIP #240: Tagul.com by Chris Bugaj

Previous A.T.TIP #225: ABCya Word Cloud Generator by Chris Bugaj

A.T.TIP #241: GoSoapbox.com by Adam Bellow

A.T.TIP #242: Polleverywhere.com by Adam Bellow and Chris Bugaj

A.T.TIP #243: Eflnet.com by Liz Thomas

Previous A.T.TIP #190: Wallwisher.com by Liz Thomas

A.T.TIP #244: Corkboard.me by Andy Rothenberger

A.T.TIP #245: Popplet.com by Chris Bugaj

A.T.TIP #246: Crocodoc.com by Andy Rothenberger

Also Mentioned In This Episode-

Previous A.T.TIP #58: NightLightStories.net by Chris Bugaj

The LiveScribe Pen by Liz Thomas

Contact Information-

About.me/chrisbugaj

Twitter.com/attipscast

attipscast@gmail.com

Register as a fan of the show to receive e-mail alerts for new episodes

The following are a list of ways you can help:

1. Vote once per day from work.

2. Vote once per day from home.

3. Vote once per day from your smartphone (if you have one).

4. Ask your friends, family and colleagues to vote once per day at home, work, and from a smartphone.

Click on this VOTE button to vote!

Not sure how? Watch this 1 minute video demonstrating the process.

While you’re there, vote for these deserving resources as well!

Best EdTech/Resource Sharing Blog- SpeechTechie

Best Twitter Hashtag- #slpeeps

Best Educational Use of a Wiki- UDLTechToolkit

Best Webinar Series- VSTELive!

One last thing…

Even if you don’t vote, take some time to explore all the fantastic nominees.  The reason they are nominated is because these resources have earned the respect of their peers.  These resources have made a lasting impact on people resulting in authentic invigoration, innovation, and inspiration.  One or more of these resources might have the same impact on you!

Episode Overview-

This episode of the A.T.TIPSCAST is sponsored by Texthelp Systems, provider of award-winning literacy solutions including Read&Write GOLD and Fluency Tutor. To learn about these products and their new suite of web apps go to www.texthelp.com.

Episode #85 features the first of two episodes describing the use of websites featuring activities which utilize webcams to engage students through interactive, gesture-based activities.

A.T.TIPS In This Episode-

A.T.TIP #230 – Wild Kratts‘ Caracal Leap

A.T.TIP #231 – http://bit.ly/snowsweeper

A.T.TIP #232 – www.playdocam.com

Additional Information –

This is an example of a message where the user needs to allow the website access to the webcam.

Also Mentioned In This Episode-

Video featuring Dr. Media talking about exercise:

http://bit.ly/brainruleexercise

Contact Information-

About.me/chrisbugaj

Twitter.com/attipscast

attipscast@gmail.com

Register as a fan of the show to receive e-mail alerts for new episodes

This is a blog-only post. There isn’t any new audio, or official A.T.TIPSCAST episode, associated with this post.  This post outlines my nominations for the 2011 Edublog Awards.  In my experience most educational bloggers, podcasters, and Tweeters do so on their own time, after work hours because it is their passion.  They aren’t asked to do it. They aren’t paid to do it. Yet, we all benefit from the many hours they put into their craft.

The Edublog Awards provide a way to recognize these enormous efforts.  Here are my nominations for the 2011 Edublog Awards:

Best Individual Blog -

Teaching All Students by Patrick Black – (www.teachingall.blogspot.com) – Yeah, I nominate this blog every year and will continue to until 1. A better blog of its type surfaces or 2. It wins (and even then I might re-nominate it). Fresh ideas, multiple resources, and practical solutions for making instruction accessible to EVERY student.  When it comes to implementing technology for every student, this blog is a MUST read.

Best Teacher Blog -

Speech Techie by Sean Sweeney - (www.speechtechie.com) - The winner of the 2010 Best New Blog Edublog award has maintained its status as the premiere blog focusing on the topic of using technology in the practice of speech-language pathology. Each post provides a quick bit of thought provoking information that would benefit any educator and, at times, the blog focuses tackles a theme that spans a number of posts, like using QR Codes in your practice or Glogster implementation. The beauty of the blog is that the strategies shared are for every educator, not just for those working as speech-language pathologists.

Best Educational Podcast -

The Edceptional podcast by Anne Truger, Deb Truskey, and Patrick Black (Edceptional on iTunes) - Boom! The Edceptional podcast hit the ground running as part of the EdReach Network earlier this year and hasn’t looked back! The podcast features reviews and discussions of the latest new, blogs, and resources associated with students who have different or special needs in school.  The varying fields of the hosts and guests makes for well-rounded discussions and well-explained resources that examine the all angles of a topic.  If audio is your preferred modality for receiving content and you’re interested in topics related to educating ALL students, then this is the podcast for you!

Best Educational Wiki -

The UDLTechToolKit by Karen Janowski & Joyce Kazman Valenza (http://udltechtoolkit.wikispaces.com/) - Simply the best collection of tools on the web for differentiating instruction.  A teacher could get lost for hours in the possibilities for students.  Any visitor instantly begins to see solutions for students they work with on a daily basis.

Best Educational Use of a Virtual World -

PATINS (http://patinsproject.com & http://bit.ly/slpatins) – The PATINS (Promoting Achievement through Technology and INstruction for all Students) Project provides a range of support services for impacting both the organizational capacity and the professional capabilities of Indiana’s local educational agencies in serving students with unique learning needs. They’re location in Second Life has basic tutorials on how to begin your Second Life experience, provides a unique atmosphere for acquiring information about the principles of Universal Design Learning, and allows for a safe, comfortable environment for users who are new to Second Life.  Learn about resources that can help every person in RL and in SL by visiting this fantastic resource.

Best Educational Webinar Series -

VSTELive! Webinar Series (http://www.vste.org/index/learn/webinar) – VSTELive! webinars (Virginia Society for Technology in Education) are always engaging, informative, and cutting edge which gather insights from experts on contemporary topics in the world of educational technology.  When you participate in a live VSTE webinar you are certain to have an enjoyable experience while learning new ways of thinking, learning, and doing.  Keep ‘em coming VSTE!

Best Twitter Hashtag -

#slpeeps  – Although I am more of a lurker than a participant in this hashtag, I have found the resources shared to be impressive and useful in my practice. An entire community of speech-language pathologists have embraced this hashtag and have formed a far-reaching, influential network of support that has continued to strengthen the practices of every participant. I’m proud to say that I enjoy peeping in on the conversations going on using the hashtag #slpeeps and learning from these colleagues.

I hope you check out these fantastic resources and, if you agree with my choices, consider voting for these fantastic creations, projects, and initiatives to recognize the dedication of these individuals.  Also, my nomination alone does not guarantee that these fine folks will be nominated. If you agree with my nominations, consider writing a blog post of your own featuring these terrific educational resources. They deserve your time! Find out more information about how to participate over at The Edublog Awards.

Enjoy!

Chris

Episode Overview-

This episode of the A.T.TIPSCAST is sponsored by Texthelp Systems, provider of award-winning literacy solutions including Read&Write GOLD and Fluency Tutor. To learn about these products and their new suite of web apps go to www.texthelp.com.

Episode #84 features the second of two parts of a recording of a discussion at the George Mason University Assistive Technology Share Fair of 2011 about the educational uses of podcasting.

A.T.TIPS In This Episode-

A.T.TIP #221 – Pinky Dinky Do Podcast

Website- http://pinkydinkydoo.com/podcasts.html

Subscribe to the Pinky Dinky Doo podcast in iTunes

A.T.TIP #222 – iTunes App for iOS

A.T.TIP #223 – Redlaser App for Scanning QR Codes

Website- http://redlaser.com/

A.T.TIP #224 – http://tinyurl.com – URL Shortener

A.T.TIP #225 – ABCya Word Cloud Generator

Website- http://abcya.com/word_clouds.htm

A.T.TIP #226 – Edceptional Podcast -

Blog- http://edreach.us/tag/edceptional/

Subscribe to the Edceptional podcast in iTunes

A.T.TIP #227 – Deleting Podcasts from your iOS device

A.T.TIP #228 – Listening to audio fiction from the school or public library

A.T.TIP #229 – http://podiobooks.com – Free audio fiction

Contact Information-

About.me/chrisbugaj

Twitter.com/attipscast

attipscast@gmail.com

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