Tool #10

Finally, a technology tool that I know a little about. Our school received a grant for I-Touch's and the 5th grade teachers and our technology specialist, Jenny Meyer, have done an awesome job in incorporating them into the classroom. Because of the work they did, I purchased an I-Touch because I was so enamored with it. The applications are absolutely phenomenal and I was pleased with this part of the assignment, in order to review more applications, and obtain sites that help me choose applications. It's also fantastic that so many are education oriented and free. Some of the applications that I feel will help with children and their accommodations are:
Read Me Stories: Sends a story a day to the device, reads it aloud, helps the child build vocabulary, fluency, and basic sight word vocabulary
Brain Tuner: Brain teaser game, the child gets to take a break, but is still using his/her brain
Talking Phrasebooks: translates simple phrases into other languages.....excellent to use with ESL students and teachers will find it helpful
WeDict: Dictionary-what better tool is there for a student to have at his/her desk
TouchCalc: Calculator-once we've gotten past basic fact learning and for those with short-term memory difficulties that just can't learn those facts
Word of the Day: helps build vocabulary
Stanza: students can download books to read at any time day or night

These are just a few of those I found that would be excellent for all children, but especially children with learning disabilities. Given access to these devices on a continual basis, I see those children as being on an equal playing field with the rest of the general education population. I love playing with my I-Touch. I keep my calendar with all appointments on it, have downloaded several different e-readers on it, so that I have a book with me at all times. Of course, Ive downloaded music, movies and educational podcasts to listen to when traveling or stuck in traffic. The students can assemble their video stories on the devices. Now this part of technology, I love. I'm sure it is that I have had an opportunity to spend more time on this device and practice with it. Thank you, Jenny Meyer for turning me onto this device!