Meghan+Ryan

This is a picture of my sister, my best friend. Kara is a big part of who I have become today.

I intend to utilize this homepage and make it helpful to others in many ways. Some of the ways include: the implementation of my philosophy towards technology integration in education, websites that contain useful information on technology integration in classrooms and assistive technology for teachers, how I plan to improve my own knowledge in assistive technology, etc.


 * The integration of technology** into the curriculum is an innovative and important improvement in teaching and learning. Teachers are responsible for learning about multiple intelligences and utilizing computers can meet the needs of some of these children. The experience children have with technology in the classroom can enhance a foundation necessary for a future that inevitably holds technology. Integrating technology into the curriculum exposes children to some of the technology they will need whether they are college bound or heading straight into the work place. Integrating technology can lead students into becoming informationally educated and better prepared for their futures. It is not suggested that technology substitute all current or past teaching and learning structures and tools, but is recommended to enhance, improve, and expand students’ development and progression.

This website is accurate and relevant because it describes three essential ways of why and how we should use and learn more about technology: -Using technology to support instruction -Integrating new technology into classroom practice -Discovering new uses for technology tools or designing projects that combine multiple technologies
 * Useful websites in regards to technology integration and assistive technology for teachers:**
 * 1)** http://its.leesummit.k12.mo.us/

This website accurately explains and provides information about technology integration for those individuals that may be unaware of its definition and importance. The definition of technology integration is "a term used by educators to describe effective uses of technology by teachers and students in k-12 and university classrooms.
 * 2)** http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technology_Integration

This website provides useful information in regards to technology curriculum integration ideas for each subject in school (subjects include: math, science, social studies, music, physical education, etc.).
 * 3)** http://www.remc11.k12.mi.us/bcisd/classres/intideas.htm

This particular website accurately provides vital information, ideas, and support for teachers and students in regards to integration resources.
 * 4)** http://www.kent.k12.wa.us/curriculum/tech/tech_int.html

This website give teachers actual accessible assistive technology websites to view pertaining to students with a wide variety of multi-learning needs
 * 5)** http://www.internet4classrooms.com/assistive_tech.htm

This website is relevant because it gives teachers a guide for students with various learning disabilities. Different links are provided for teachers to explore and experience.
 * 6)** http://www.fln.vcu.edu/ld/ld.html

This website give students an outline and breakdown of literacy patterns in content areas. Additional websites are also provided within this link. For example, one website examines how teachers can provide children with cognitive strategies related to literacy with special emphasis on scaffolding techniques.
 * Useful websites that students can use for literacy and content-area learning:**
 * 1)** http://pirate.shu.edu/~katzdani/Learning%20Station.htm

This website breaks down various groups including :adolescent literacy, assessment of literacy, multi-cultural literacy, etc. The link accurately provides unique websites for teachers and students to further their progression and knowledge of the importance of literacy and content-area learning.
 * 2)** http://www.literacy.uconn.edu/contlit.htm

This particular website provides strategies and resources to improve reading of history, science, etc. It also embellishes on the importance of practicing content-area learning through the enhancement of worksheets, maps, activities, the Internet, etc.
 * 3)** http://www.literacymatters.org/content/socialstudies.htm

http://www.literacy.uconn.edu/56sites.htm Provides relevant websites for students grades 5-6.

http://www.assitivetech.com/p-functionallyspeaking.html
 * List of assistive technology devices and software that will benefit teaching and learning for Reading:**
 * 1)** Communication Device within a computer system:

http://www.assistivetech.com/p-mercury.html
 * 2)** Communication Device- Speech generating Device:

http://www.infogrip.com/product_view.asp?RecordNumber=1038&sbcolor=%23FF9999&option=communication&subcategory=66&CatTxt=High+Tech+%28recorded+speech+devices%29&optiontxt=Communication
 * 3)** Go Talk is a lighweight, portable AAC device:

http://www.infogrip.com/product_view.asp?RecordNumber=659&sbcolor=%23FF9999&option=communication&subcategory=66&CatTxt=High+Tech+%28recorded+speech+devices%29&optiontxt=Communication
 * 4)** Developed for trainers; great for anyone introducing voice output to beginning communicators:

//**1)** Benefits of Information Technology// by : John Kosakowski http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/files/techbenefits.html The article relates to the importance of evaluating the effects of technology on learning. The article describes many factors. Some of the factors include: applications of technology to basic skills, effects of technology on student attitudes, use of technology by teachers and administrators, evaluating the impact of technology, etc.
 * Two articles related to technology in education:**

//**2)** Recent Research on the Effects of Technology on Teaching and Learning// by: John Cradler and Elizabeth Bridgforth, WestEd. http://www.wested.org/techpolicy/research.html This article describes the benefits and most appropriate uses of technology in education. The article further explores student outcomes, conditions for technology to be effective, features of effective learning technology, state and federal program support factors, and the summary of technology.

From computers to communication devices to environmental controls, the world of technology offers many children and adolescents with disabilities the tools necessary to be more successful in school, at work, and at achieving independence in daily living. AT can facilitate access to standard curriculum and increase participation. Teachers themselves should understand how to navigate as well as experience different websites in order to find out what works and what does not work. Just by visiting websites and experimenting on how to utilize the Internet, teachers can gain a better perspective through trial and error. Using as many resources as possible is key. I intend to improve my knowledge of assistive technology through constant research, other resources, continuing to ask questions to my peers, and experiementing with various softwares to gain a better perspective on how to integrate assistive technology within the classroom.
 * I plan to improve my own unique knowledge in assistive technology in a few ways:**


 * Wikispaces can be utilized by k-12 teachers in various ways:**

- Collaboration of notes within the school system amongst staff members - Introducing concepts and exploring projects - Sharing information with other community members - Individual assessment projects -Obtaining new ideas, methods, strategies, etc. for teaching
 * -** Summarize and synthesize the information from a lesson

Some of the ways include:** -Expanding my own knowledge by keeping up to date with AT information -Utilizing my skills to the best of my ability -Updating my webpage as necessary -Experimenting with and experiencing other webpages to further benefit my own learning process and development
 * I plan to sustain the usability of my homepage content for my future reference in different ways.