The Final Post: Reflection on Literacy AT

Here it is... my final post on the reading and writing process!

We've come a long way in a short period of time! I sometimes felt like I was hanging on to the back of the bus, going at full speed!
Several things have really stood out for me, and will serve as really good references over the next few years- I have 7 years to go before full retirement. I'm really glad to stay current, fluid and flexible ( the new HRSB catch- phrase for us!)

• David Sousa's article on Reading Disabilities: loved the practical breakdown of the reading process, and how decoding and comprehension are key components to the process. This whole article will be a great reference to share and refer to with students encountering reading difficulties.

•   2009Technology in Action: Assistive Technology and Writing article: Great practical resource I will share with examples of low, medium and high tech solutions for children requiring handwriting assistance

( Onion Mountain Technology: http://www.onionmountaintech.com/ - different low tech writing implements)
The Writer with spellchecker and word processor: medium tech
https://www.writerlearning.com/writer_overview.php
Dragon Naturally Speaking: text to word processing: high tech             https://www.nuance.com/naturallyspeaking/products/preferred.asp

• Kidspiration and Inspiration as great tools for charts, maps, and other forms of visual learning.

                                       http://www.inspiration.com

• UDL for Learning and how important it is, referencing UDLToolkit.org for graphic organizers, audio books, writing tools, digital storytelling, text to speech and speech to text.

                                                 http://udltechtoolkit.wikispaces.com

• All of the new ipad apps I can't wait to buy when I get back to school and share with my Assistive tech team, as well as my Learning Centre/ Resource PLC, when we meet once a month to go over new technology and apps we've found.

• I also plan to do more of Barb's webinars as they come up, now that I am officially finished my Masters with this course!!

• Can't wait to get settled in with my charts on the reading and writing processes, as well as where our apps fit- great as a visual reminder of where in the reading or writing process I need to focus with a particular child, and what apps are appropriate!

• I will remember how useful and easy piccollage is as an app to use for journals, visual schedules, book creator etc.

NOW, whenever I think of the reading and writing processes that I have always taken for granted, I will really try to remember how challenging, difficult and complicated each stage of the way is for students having dificulties. I remember when Barb Welsford said... " The writing process is twice as hard as the reading process, and you have to be a good reader to write!"

Thanks Barb!
Bev Anthony