Digital Directions #1 – My Top Picks

This is the first of a new, regular blog post, highlighting current directions and understandings in the use of technology in the classroom supporting the learning of all students. Each blog post I will seek to highlight key or emerging articles and research, technology tools and practices, and innovative and emerging technologies.¹

What the literature is telling us

Top 2013 Articles That You Must Read to Inform Your Special Education Technology Work from Dave Edyburn, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

https://pantherfile.uwm.edu/edyburn/www/what/top2013.html

Research on the Technology Implementation Process, Center for Technology Implementation, 2013:

The PowerUp WHAT WORKS Team at the Center for Technology Implementation has conducted extensive reviews of the literature on technology implementation and implementation science. View their collection of references on the technology implementation process via http://bit.ly/1z3qjIQ

Technology implementation – Accessibility tools

Switch Control in iOS 8?

Check out this awesome video overview of iOS 8 accessibility from Christopher Hills

Google accessibility?

More and more classrooms and schools, and their students, are exploring the use of Google tools. Having these tools accessible for all is essential. http://www.google.com.au/accessibility/all-products-features.html

Alternative Keyboards on iOS 8 devices to check out:

[link ids=”superkeys-the-assistive-keyboard-for-ipad-and-iphone, keedogo-keyboard-for-beginning-typers, keedogo-plus-keyboard-for-education, keeble-accessible-keyboard, lowercase-keyboard”]

[link ids=”fleksy, swype, swiftkey-keyboard, ginger-keyboard-page, writepad”]

See http://www.spectronics.com.au/blog/apps/category/ios-keyboards/ for more keyboards.

Innovations and possibilities

Wearable technology in the classroom

The Future of Wearable Technology at school is here! Check out the following video from wideo.co/blog/imagining-wearable-technology-in-the-classroom

How will this technology impact on students with diverse learning needs? See this blog post for more http://www.spectronics.com.au/blog/new-technologies/wearing-possibilities-on-your-sleeve/ Definitely an innovation to key an eye on, or wear!

How to identify the key trends, significant challenges, and emerging technologies in education?

The annual NMC Horizon Report can help: http://www.nmc.org/publications/2014-horizon-report-k12 and http://www.nmc.org/publications/2014-horizon-report-higher-ed

That’s it from me. Until next time keep seeing the possibilities,

Cheers, Greg.

[vimeo id=”114110536″ subscription=”true” login_description=”A video demonstrating the Alternative Keyboards on iOS 8 devices will soon be available through a ‘Spectronics Online’ subscription. In the meantime, check out this video from Amanda which includes how to install an alternative keyboard”]

¹ Digital Directions – Top Picks from Greg O’Connor also appears in the newsletter for the New South Wales State Chapter of the Australian Association of Special Education.

Greg O'Connor

"I firmly believe that saying "we've always done it this way around here" is dangerous! I enjoy disrupting that way of thinking and watching the excitement of teachers being re-motivated. Adding new technologies into the mix is powerful in driving that positive change. Driving that positive disruption" Greg has been actively involved in supporting the learning of students with diverse learning needs for over 30 years. During this time he has worked as a classroom teacher, school executive, district consultant, regional manager with the New South Wales Department of Education and Training, and Professional and Consultancy Manager at Spectronics. Greg is committed to exploring the possibilities that exist for ALL students through the use of technology, wherever and however teaching and learning takes place. Greg presents at national and international conferences, and provides training and consultancy across Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia. He is a Google Certified Educator, Certified Apple Trainer, and a Certified Texthelp Trainer. Greg is a committee member of the NSW Australian Association of Special Education, and is a member of the editorial committee for the AASE Journal, Special Education Perspectives. He recently became a member of the International Committee of the Inclusive Learning Network of ISTE.

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