Reading Reflection

Reading #1
Consortium for School Networking. (2011). Flexible mobile platforms. Washington, DC: author.

This reading supported my idea that having students use technology such as iPods to assist in their access to learning material decreases the stigma they experience when working with older assistive models.

I was happy to see some discussion of considerations necessary when looking at the use of technology in education; however, I still do not see a clear answer about how to decide on best practices.

What is cloud computing? I had to go in search of more information. This site offered sufficient and easy-to-read information: http://searchcloudcomputing.techtarget.com/definition/cloud-computing

Reading #2
Gray, T., Silver-Pacuilla, H, Brann, A., Overton, C., & Reynolds, R. (2011). Converging trends in educational and assistive technology. In T. Gray, & H. Silver-Pacuilla.(Eds.), Breakthrough teaching and learning: How educational and assistive technologies are driving innovation (pp. 5-24). Retrieved from http:/www.springer.com/078-1-4419-7767-0

I was happy to see my original thoughts about AT mirrored in this reading.  The authors contend that the distinction between general technology and assistive technology is blurring and that all students can benefit from the use of technology.  Of course, these ideas seem fitting for when I consider Sir Ken Robinson's ideas about educating students for a future which we cannot predict.

Another concept in this reading that relates to Sir Ken Robinson's ideas is the questioning of using age to determine grade levels.  It's always nice when things connect (i.e. when I experience Piaget's notion of assimilation).

What is Universal Design for Learning (UDL)?  I had to go in search of more information.  This fact sheet was useful to me: http://ada.osu.edu/resources/fastfacts/Universal-Design-FF.pdf

Websites from the reading:
Quality Indicators for AT
National Center on Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) Consortium