Merchant

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Here is the [|LINK] to my Digital Story!

__//**REFLECTION FOR ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY**//__ 1) I learned that there are a lot of people out in the world that will invent and innovate anything to help those that need it. There are so many kinds products made available for assistance for all kinds of disabilities. On Ed.gov, I learned of the American Printing House for the Blind. I was so impressed by this program! The fact that they are able to keep the blind current with current technologies such as computers. There are technologies such as braille typewriters, textbooks, and large print that are avialable to the blind. The fact they college level courses are available to those who request it are very impressive. I would love to get involved in that area.

2) As I become a teacher, I know I must keep in mind students that might have different physical challenges. As I was looking at some of the products, there were a few that impressed me. A simple item such as a sock assist was quite surprising to me. It really put me into reality that some people are unable to put on their socks on. The bookstand and booklight magnifier is quite the invention. There are so many children in schools that have a hard time with their eyesight. Knowing that classrooms can include such items to make sure their students stay focused is very impressive. The wiggleworks website was actually very informative yet fun, even or a 21 year old. The site allows children to participate and understand certain concepts that might not be able to be understood via lesson plans in the classrooms. The apple website creators were brilliant when they put up the profiles of the men involved in creating the assistance in the apple company.

3) The Wiggleworks website gives A LOT of potential for those who wish to use it. With the pictures, text to speech, and interactive word games it allows the students to really enjoy learning without even knowing it. If the websites are so interactive today, I am really excited to see what they will be in 10 years!

4) I have had the wonderful pleasure of working with triplets. These triplets were five years old, two boys and one girl. They were wonderful children and one was autistic. The boy had a mental ability of a two year old, and he was currently going through potty training. My job was to teach them how to swim. At first it was difficult because it was 5 year old triplets, but it became a lot easier when the two siblings helped me out with their brother. When the parents brought the little boy into the pool area, they had a power chair lifter. Because he had a hard time walking, this patient lifter helped the little boy get into the pool without any trouble. In fact he was always giggling when he got into it because it tickled him and he thought it was a ride!

5) As I prepare to become a teacher, I will always keep in mind of the products available to assist with any disability. I am a big fan of hands on activities with everyone. So as a result I will make sure that every student is involved with acitvities that cuases everyone to help each other out. Even though I may have special-education students, that does not mean that they need to be treated any different. I will always try to incorporate interactive websites like Wiggleworks because they are fun for all ages!

__//**REFLECTION OF LEARNING STYLES**//__ Everyone is different when learning. Some are fortunate enough to hear something once and they understand and memorize at the same time. Others take a little bit more time and effort to grasp certain concepts. Personally, I have to take extra time and put in extra effort to understand key terms and concepts. My main learning style is auditory/verbal. I learn best by information being put in an auditory form. For example, I learn best when a lecture is presented for class, not just reading from the text. I can remember something exactly how it was said and apply to test answers. I also study better with a buddy. I often find myself talking outloud or reading outloud from the textbook when I am by myself. I have to talk my way through problems and figure out a solution. So even though I can study with a buddy, it is best that I study alone so I can speak to myself as loud and as long as I want.

__//**REFLECTION OF VIRTUAL FIELDTRIP**//__ //1) ////__Describe 2 important benefits of the whaling industry to America. __// Whaling at the time in New England was very beneficial. Killing whales was very unfortunate but it allowed the economy of Massachusetts to grow and become very wealthy in resources. The men and young boys were able to have a mentoring program. Fisherman taught their sons the business of whaling as a vocation.

The blubber from the whales was used as a heating source to heat up homes, and businesses alike. As well as the blubber, they bones from the whales were used to make clothing for women and young girls.

//2) ////__Describe 2 problems of the whaling industry __// Along with the benefits of whaling, there are also negative effects. Like all things in the universe, everything comes to an end. Whaling was such a big deal and economical wealth to New England, that eventually the population of whales dwindled to almost near extinction. Because of the dropping whale population, the economy dropped.

The people started to fear that the whales were going to become extinct, leaving the people to be forced with going back to Stone Age ways of living. They understood that they had to save the whales, so their population could grow again. The problem wasn’t waiting but stopping others from poaching the whales for personal use.

__//**FINAL EXAM REFLECTION **//__ It is imperative to point out that while technology is always in flux, the ways to educate the youngsters of America is connected to the fluctuation of technology. Children fifty years ago were using blackboards and using paper and pencils to learn. Children today use computer, smart-phones, and ipods every day for approximately 8 hours a day. Children are hands on and willing participants of new technologies. If they used to using technology at home all day, every day, then who are we to deny them access to methods of education which seem to work more efficiently then blackboards ever did.

Not all students learn the same way. One third of the classroom may learn the best by doing hands on projects, a third may learn by simply listening to the teacher, and the others, like myself, when teachers talk and support their lecture by activities and projects. A teacher needs a way of easy access to be able to reach all types of students. Technology such as computers are the best way to reach all levels of students. With access to computers and the internet, in one lesson, a teacher can play videos and games, show pictures and words, and make the lesson interactive. For example, a teacher could read a poem or story to the classroom, and to further the students’ understanding, the teacher could play a video of the selected text by using youtube. Hearing the text read by a non- associated third party, the student could grasp a deeper understanding.

If a child is interested, then the child will learn; and these days all children are interested in is their computers, phones, and game systems. When it comes down to it, children are not interested in the devices used, but the programs and internet that is made available. Children throughout the ages have learned using the basic and simple resources made available. Today, the most basic resource available to students that will hold their attention is technology. They do not care about the cost of the item, they just want to be like the teacher and use the computers. The internet offers so many programs that can reach a child’s mental capability better then a teacher evver could. For example, if a teacher were to incorporate Facebook into their cirriculum, the students would be likely to participate more, then sit around. Kids are on Facebook, so why not just make it apart of the classroom, if the kids are going to be on it anywa? It is so important to incorporate technology into the classroom. It is important for the education system and the schools to keep up with the changing times. Keep it a crucial part of education for the student’s sake; to hold their retention rate and keep them interested. We depend on the future generations to lead and take care of us in our old age.