Bits and Bites of Blog: Day 5- Experiencing the Pro2go!

The Old Man and The Starfish

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Day 5- Experiencing the Pro2go!

Today, we had the opportunity to present the categories, statements that we have applied to Pro2go for our student use. In completing the assignment for the presentation, it was made so clear how important it is to consider the individual who requires the device. This is certainly not a one size fits all situation and it is therefore crucial to consider everything about the student as well as his or her peers, environment etc in order to make the most out of the technology being used.
The following are key components that we felt were necessary to remember in programming:

The team must work together as all component are equally important and more minds bring more ideas to consider.
The technology is only a material used to reach an outcome. IPP's are WORKABLE documents and can be continuously changed as needed.
Be sure to keep things "only as special as necessary".
Think of the student FIRST. The program is not being created for our convenience. Keep it as close to the students/the peers communication style.
Keep in mind what others in the students peer group would be doing with the equipment and be sure to include this as well ( i.e IPod for music).
Use the individuals who see the technology used most to discuss whether things should be changed, where frustrations were noticed if any or any other feed back they have to offer.
It is very important that all who will come in contact with this mode of communication understand how to use it effectively.
Never under estimate a student's abilities!

No comments:

Post a Comment

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Communication is any act by which one person gives to or
receives from another person information about that person's needs, desires, perceptions, knowledge or affective states this may be intentional or unintentional, may involve conventional or unconventional signals, may take linguistic or nonlinguistic forms, and may occur through spoken or other modes.
Think of the power of a photograph, a personal item, a kiss, a look, etc. I am beginning to understand several modes of communication. First, in becoming a new mom and having to read the cues of an infant. Secondly, in quickly having to understand the message sent through particular body language with several of my students in the Learning Center.

Although all communicate in some way, the effectiveness and efficiency of this communication vary with a number of individual and environmental factors.
It is very important to consider the following when communicating:

• The goal of the communication interaction

• The focus of interaction

• The duration of interaction

• Content of interaction

• Predictability

• Rate of communication

• Scope of communication (wide,

limited etc.)

• Number of communication

partners

• Familiarity of partners

All of these factors are very important and will determine how the communication will occur if at all. For some of my students, familiarity of the partners is crucial. If the partner is unknown, a 'verbal' conversation will not occur. For others, the communication is to express a piece of information and for those students it is quite difficult to communicate unless there is a clear purpose.

Equally important are the communication partners. They are the recipients of the message(s). An effective communication partner attends to the content of the message, indicates interest in the message /information being conveyed and responds within appropriate time limits in the appropriate manner

I often have this conversation with my students as some need a reminder that conversations a two sided and that is important that a conversation should interest both parties if it is to be continued. A 'long winded' one sided conversation about a topic only one is interested in may lead to avoidance in the future.

The importance of a response is also something that many take for granted. Not all individual understand the importance of responding or showing interest in the individual speaking.

Use of communication devices and/or different communication techniques requires an experienced communication partner to reply or engage in the conversation appropriately. If the individual one is hoping to communicate with does not understand the mode, the conversation will not occur.

Bits and Bites of Blog