MakingConnections

Can translate this into English with a button on the side. Links to very simple computer games

"Each month of the National Year of Communication has a theme which focuses on a particuar aspect of communication. We have been working with the support service CENMAC to create inclusive Widgit Symbol resources to support each of these monthly themes. These resources are all available to download for free! For each month's Widgit Symbol resources, there is also a free supporting resource available to download featuring the Let's Sign & Write British Sign Language Graphics."

"This site is an educational song resource for parents, teachers, and therapists."

Our students have been studying the books by author/illustrator Peter H. Reynolds. For this project, the students made a video that reinterpreted the books, using greenscreen technology to insert photos of themselves as the characters in the stories. The kids made their own artworks, selected their own props, posed themselves based on the artwork in the book, took their pictures with a digital camera, and recorded themselves reading the text! On Thursday, May 12th, 2011, our entire school participated in a Skype video chat with Mr. Reynolds, and got to interact with him and ask him questions. Mr. Reynolds share some of his personal stories with our kids and encouraged them to continue to foloow their own creative endeavors.

"There has been an explosion of interest in using the iPhone, IPad or IPod for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The news media has certainly helped by generating lots of stories about students with ASD who have "dramatic success" when they acquired one. "

The topic of the IPad has emerged in every workshop that I do. People are so excited about the possibilities with the equipment. And what is more important, they share some great stories about the social and communication benefits for their students with Autism Spectrum Disorders. "

"This week is Children's Book Week. In honor of the event, I thought that I'd highlight 21 interesting e-books for kids. Collectively, these give us a glimpse into what the future of children's publishing is going to look like. As I compiled this list, I was struck by how quickly the field of interactive e-books is moving. The iPad has been around just over a year…"

"The electronic book is a rapidly growing alternative to the conventional book even for very young children; however, empirical studies on e-books as curricular tools in early literacy development and instruction are rare. Few instructional designs have been developed and tested. This formative study investigates the potential functionality and usability of a prototype 4-component e-book instructional model in a small sample of preschool classrooms."

"So, then what does this mean in regards to e-Book reading from the perspective of e-Book pedagogy in early childhood classrooms? What do we know about the quality of current e-Books that many children are reading? During this presentation, we will briefly explain an e-Book instructional model in early literacy, and then we will focus on the issue of developing an e-Book quality-rating tool."

Scoop it page on tech for young kids

Tots N Tech is a research project focused on assistive tech use in the birth to 3 population.

Good blog post on the iPad frenzy "We are at a position where the iPad is showing solid potential as an educational tool, and many developers are running experiments on the app store to test out those theories. But conclusions have not been drawn. Long term studies have not been completed. And I still don't see many app development teams including teachers and educators directly within their development process. YOU, as the consumer, have the responsibility to think critically whenever new media or content is put in front of your child. Now is the time to dust off your report card and ask the tough questions, before the trendy momentum of consumer culture takes over."

Slideshare presentation on iPod/iPad apps for special education by Kate Ahern

"This blog is designed to document infants/toddlers with disabilities using an iPad to promote their development. I hope to show how this new technology can help children with disabilities develop their communication, play, pre-literacy, cognitive, visual/auditory and motor skills."

"Welcome to the Victorian Government iPads for Learning website This website is for educators who want to learn about using iPads in education. Here you will find information about the Victorian school iPads for Learning trial including specially selected apps, classroom ideas and technical tips."

"Night Light Stories is a podcast featuring original children's stories. These stories were all originally told by the friendly glow of a child's night light. We invite you now to share these stories with your own children, at night, in the morning, or anytime ... anywhere. You can download and listen to the stories from the links on the blog or download it free at iTunes!"

"This study explored the viability of tablet computers in early education by investigating preschool children's ease in acclimating to tablet technology and its effectiveness in engaging them to draw. A total of 41 three- to six-yearold children were videotaped while they used the tablets. The study found significant differences in level of tablet use between sessions, and engagement increased with age. Teachers reported high child interest and drawings as typical to above expectation. Children quickly developed ease with the stylus for drawing. Although technical issues in learning this new technology were encountered, children were interested and persisted without frustration. What seems to matter for children's learning is the ways teachers choose to implement this technology."

Screencast from FCLC staff on using a Smartboard and Boardmaker Plus