Josh's Story

This story was truely inspiring. I love that the teacher found out what things were motivating for josh and used that to help him improve his communication skills. She started out small with the super talker, this helped release some of josh's frustration with not being able to communicate. After he felt more comfortable and confident using the super talker she found a technology called wordworm which opened up a whole new world for josh and his ability to communicate. After using this helpful technology josh began to say words, and phrases along with the device, this eventually turned into josh being able to read stories to his friends and family.

Voice Thread

Voice Thread is a collaborative slide show that can hold images, documents and videos. It allows you to leave comments and ideas in many different ways. You can leave comments using voice, text, audio file, or video. These different ways of leaving comments would be great for students with special needs. If you had a student who was unable to write they would be able to record their comments using a microphone. If you had a student who was unable to speak they could participate by drawing a picture, or typing there comments. There are many possibilites for our special needs students with this technology.

Reflection #3

What do I want to learn? That is a good question. I think for the most part I just want to learn the basics of technology. I want to be able to feel comfortable with all types of technology. I feel like I am on my way to accomplishing this goal already. I have already learned so many things that I did not know about before like Wiki and google reader.

Reflection #2

I'm really glad that we talked about TPCK in class the other day. It helped me to better understand the concepts. I really liked the analogy that one of the girls used in class comparing TPCK to a teepee. It helped me put the goals and concepts of TPCK into perspective.

Reflection #1

TPCK was ver difficult for me to understand. Maybe that is because I am terrible with technology. I hope after this class I can become more comfortable with it. At this point I am a little overwhelmed.

Assignment #1 TPCK Reading

1. The Tpck framework model is very complex activity that draws on many kinds of knowledge. There are two main categories when looking at teacher Knowledge, pedegogical and content knowledge. CK is knowledge abouth the actual subject matter. PK is deep knowledge about the process and methods of tesching and learning. TK is knowledge about standard technologies like books, chalk and blackboard. PCK is knowing what teaching approaches fit the content. TPK is Knowledge of existence, components and capabilities of different technologies being used in teaching and learning settings, as well as knowing how teaching may change as a result of these technologies. TCK is knowlede about the manner in which technology and content are reciprocally related. TPCKis the basis of good teaching with technology. It requires an understanding of the representation of concepts using technologies.

2. I think theey mean that they ate all interrelated and you can't have one with out the other two. these components exist in a "dynamic equilibrium."

3. TPCK requires an understanding of the representation of concepts using technologies.

4. Teachers simply need to be trained on how to use different technologies.

5. Technology is rapidly changing, Inappropriate design of software (most software is made for the businesss world not for educational purposes) Situated nature of learning, and an emphasis on what not how.

6. Learning by doing. It is much easier to learn something when you have the opportunity to practice it.

7. I agree with Shulmans statement that TPCK ought to be a goal of teacher education because the more resources we as teachers are aware of and understand the easier it is to find the proper teaching technique that will help our student's succeed.