My classroom problem was how to work on classroom management while using apps to help with transitions. It is challenging for a teacher to gear the classroom management ideas to younger students at the early childhood level. I looked up classroom noise level apps and timers for my model kindergarten classroom but wanted to also think about how to gear things down to my early childhood classroom. This picture of the timer inspired me to think about how to look for a timer app on my phone. A teacher can use the timer for turn-taking or for monitoring how long to use technology. I remember when I was in elementary school the teacher set the timer to keep track of transitions for computer time. A parent at home may set the timer to explain to their child that they can only watch a 30 min show.
The timer can be set by the child for time recognition and see how many minutes are left.
In my current toddler preschool classroom, we are going to try using this clock for transitions. A parent shared this information with me when we were talking about transitions. Some transitions, such as clean up time, being tough for two and three-year-olds. This is without technology in the classroom.
Here is the example Youtube video
To look at the noise level during the struggle with transitions in order to quiet down children, I tried the app on the website. https://bouncyballs.org/
It was easier to try this app in my classroom when I only had 4 toddlers. I had to use my phone as the iPad didn't have a mic. I had the students try making noise to see if the objects, such as the eyeballs and the bubbles, move. The students had fun making funny noises. I can see in an older classroom how showing the app on the smartboard may work if the class is noisy. The Kindergarten student I babysit for liked this app also and had fun playing with it.
Bounce balls with your microphone! A fun way to manage classroom noise or visualize music. A free classroom noise level meter, monitor and management tool. Perfect if your school kids are too noisy! Bouncing balls react to sounds from the microphone.
Screenshots of the bouncy ball classroom management.
OK timer, counts your time like never before The perfect Timer-beautifully clean, simple and reliable. Perfect for every timing situation (sports, games, work and of course cooking). ■ User Reviews "I have used several Timer apps like StopWatch&Timer, StopWatch Timer and Kitchen Timer. And OK Timer is my favorite timer!
Here is a screenshot
After looking around, I decided I would try this timer as my friend Mary, who is a kindergarten teacher, told me about it.
Countdown Timer on computer) https://www.online-stopwatch.com
A Free flash online countdown, quick easy to use countdown timer! also an online stopwatch!
Here are the icons
The favorite one I explored is called the Kitty Race timer. I think it would be interesting for my students as it has the visuals of the cats racing on the timer.
Here are some book sources on classroom management.
In my teaching career, I want to keep learning more about classroom management. I feel timers, listening, and noise level apps are keys to being a successful teacher. Teachers can use technology and other techniques to maximize classroom management. It is always an experiment to see what works for your own classroom. I feel that taking attendance can also be a classroom management tool. While, talking to another friend at another center, I learned she uses an attendance app on her classroom ipad with the child's picture on it for checking students in. I want to ask her more about the app and how she uses it. The director told me it is called the connect app for attendance monitoring. Looking up all these ideas on classroom management helps me as a teacher to own my own learning.
A key quote to teach each child even if they need accommodations is:
Educators need to teach how each student learns. I love the quote above. We may need to supply technology into the classroom that will accommodate a student with disabilities. The student may need to learn with a computer or app to help them own their own learning like Alan November says in his book.
As a teacher, we need to use Universal Design and differentiated instruction to help students in the classroom. I learned about universal design in my past graduate classes. Here is a link for reference: http://udlguidelines.cast.org/.
These book sources are helpful to meet the needs of each individual child.
For my app practical, I was interested in learning about apps to help teach students in the classroom who have Autism. I currently have students in my toddler/preschool class that I think are on the autism spectrum. We have to see what red flags students have and talk to the parents. Students receive early intervention in the classroom but a lot of parents are in denial that there is anything about their child that needs to be evaluated. I wanted to know more about how to use technology apps in the classroom and research about autism. I also have a friend who has a child who is on the autism spectrum. I want to pass this information on to parents and other educators. My classroom problem is I wanted to find out how to use assistive technology and apps for students with Autism. I also wanted to know about the different types of Autism: I found this youtube video on how to use a Robot for assistive technology and it is interesting how it helps Milo to focus.
Then I researched a few more videos on youtube:
Here is a screenshot of a website I found on the types of Autism:
"Autism is a complex neurobehavioral disorder characterized by impairment in reciprocal social interaction, impairment in communication, and the presence of repetitive and stereotypic patterns of behaviors, interests, and activities. The onset of symptoms is typically before the age of 3 years. The severity of impairment in the given domains as well as the pattern of impairments varies from individual to individual; that is why diagnosticians refer to a “spectrum” of disability" https://asatonline.org/for-parents/what-is-autism/ Students with Autism can be successful in life
Temple Grandin was an author who was successful with Autism
https://www.ted.com/talks/temple_grandin_the_world_needs_all_kinds_of_minds?language=en Book sources on Temple Grandin:
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I also found this article online about the man with Autism that wrote a children's book.
Learn about the different types of autism spectrum disorders, how autism affects individuals and families and more with these frequently asked questions. A: Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as by unique strengths and differences.
This blog I found also provides a lot of useful information about autism:
Autism is frightening. It brings to mind a child that not only has physical or cognitive disabilities but also cannot relate to and join normal society. There is a tremendous lack of understanding about the ASD spectrum which leads to compounding the fears of the average parent.
A way for nonverbal students to communicate with others during recess is available at numerous local elementary schools. Amelia Abell, a special education teacher at Morningside Elementary School, said the school received a grant from the Elizabethtown Education Foundation for a communication board, which was installed earlier this school year.
I also wanted to know, as a teacher, what visual schedules students with Autism would use and found these:
Using visuals depends on child challenges. Visual schedules or using visuals helps with receptive language. The child can also use a choice chart. Pictures can be used for daily transitions and for daily routines such as for the sequence to get ready in the morning.
More information on visual cues can be observed through these videos
Children with autism were taught 2 years intensive ABA therapy, 90% of them had important development to get accepted by public schools. LOVAAS, O. I. (1987). Behavioral treatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in young autistic children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55, 3-9. MMCEACHIN, J. J., SMITH, T.
There are hundreds of apps are available on both of the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Why you should choose the Otsimo | Special Education? Because you deserve the best. In this topic, you can read the review of Otsimo | Special Education.
screenshots:
Here is another app I tried which helps students with speech.
FEATURED IN** Forbes, Thrive Magazine, Autism Parenting, Brisbane Kids, Speech Chick Therapy, Beautiful Speech Life, The Speech Teacher. Awarded the Social Impact award & supported by Facebook Start Programme. Speech Blubs is a speech therapy app designed to help your child learn new sounds and practice speaking in a stimulating, educational environment.
There were many questions on the app to ask parents on pragmatics, talking, comprehension and hearing. Here is a screen shot of each one.
The apps assesses if the child understands sounds for the letter P, B and H with the screenshot down below.
The child has good comprehension if she can follow two part unrelated commands.
This is the screen shot if Ava can hear from another room.
Then I got these results: when I put in information the assessment tool on the sample child of the 5 year old named Ava. When I used my sample child Ava on the assessment her speech is not meeting the milestones of her age. The screen shot is below.
The screenshot below shows pragmatics or social communication. It compared below children of her age if they can use body language emotions, eye contact and gestures in their social situations.
Then the apps tests on hearing as children need to hear speech clearly.
This is the final result of the milestones of where Ava is with using the assessment tool.
Then it sends a pdf link of your child's report in an email if you are a parent with an email
Tips and Tricks on using speech blurbs
Activities for different sounds.
Some examples of the early sounds are posted above from some examples on youtube as I cannot make a video very easily from my phone app.
There is an article from the Young Child Magazine, May 2010 called, "Implementing Visual Cues For Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Their Classmates."This article talks about how to use visual cues with scripts, instruction cards and how to form an inclusive play group throughout the day with including children with Autism spectrum disorder. The article also has tips and reminders about using visual cues.
Besides Autism, Another Assistive technology topic I would want to learn more about is how to help a deaf student in the classroom. I met a deaf woman at Dunkin Donuts with my mom and during the encounter, we had to write things down on a piece of paper to communicate with her. I wanted to know more about what kind of apps I could use in the classroom for deaf students. I looked up "Talk to Me" and "Story Sign" apps and put them on my phone to try out. I would want to incorporate sign language in my classrooms such as using youtube for toddlers to learn manners or it could even be used in preschool or Kindergarten. Incorporating assistive technology for deaf students, as well as other students with disabilities, is important in order to be inclusive of all students in a classroom.
I also found Jack Hartman that works for pre-K or kindergarten. In kindergarten, the sign language video could go on the smartboard.
Book Sources I found for Deaf children are:
My favorite quote about students with learning challenges is:
Assistive technology is important for students with learning Challenges. Assistive technologies help them with their own learning needs. I learned through my research about many sources I can refer back to in my teaching to be inclusive to these types of students.
