Blog Post #3

Positive Peer Review

Giving a positive peer review is a big responsibility. Classmates depend on your opinion and suggestions to aid them in their pursuit of a quality assignment. Taking peer reviews seriously show that you care enough to help a classmate. This is not only the right thing to do, but is also important because you just might need someone to review your assignment some day.


I especially enjoyed the video "Writing Peer Reviews Top Ten Mistakes". The kids were so cute and funny! The fact that students of this age can comprehend the concept of proper peer review and put together a video with examples of improper techniques speaks volumes. College students should have been conducting adequate peer reviews for some time.


Lindsay Parvin has been my assigned classmate for blog review/peer review. Lindsay is a student who is working toward her master's degree. She is an experienced teacher and exceptional writer. With all of that said, there was not much guidance that Lindsay needed from me. I enjoyed exchanging points-of-view with her as well as the comments she left on my blog. 

Technology in Special Education

Technology in the classroom is a vital tool for Special Education students. These students are often times closed-off from the rest of the world. Technological tools like lap tops open the doors of communication, providing an enriching learning experience. All students deserve the same educational experience. This is now possible with the assistance of modern devices.

I was extremely impressed with the techniques used by the Special Education teacher in the video. She was creative in her implementation of technology and utilized many tools including ipods, laptops, and power point videos. She encouraged her students and allowed them to speak for themselves. The pride and happiness they felt was shining in their faces. These devices should be available in all classrooms for Special Education students.

Educational Apps in the Classroom 

There are many apps which Apple currently has available to assist Special Education students in their learning experience. "Conversation Builder" can enhance the art of communication in autistic students. This app helps students expand their conversational vocabulary and learn to respond appropriately while participating in conversations. An exciting feature of this app is the ability to record a student's learning session. Some advantages of this feature are that students enjoy hearing themselves when played back, and sessions can be forwarded to parents or IEP administrators to monitor progress. I believe that this app would become extremely important to some Special Education students. Holding conversations with family, teachers, and peers can help these students feel like a part of the world they live in.

Harness Your Student's Digital Smarts

Watching Vicki Davis' video outlining her approach to digital learning inspires me to sharpen my technological skills. It is truly amazing how she has opened the world up to her students in rural Georgia. Her students are learning to interact with students from other countries while learning a vast array of technology programs. Students who are fortunate enough to take Ms. Davis' class will have possibilities and opportunities available to them that they may not have had otherwise. She is an example of how one teacher can truly make a difference. 

I can only imagine how my educational path may have been enriched if I had a teacher like Ms. Davis. As a future educator, the example of this type of learning environment encourages me to produce something similar. The students were excited, engaged, interactive, and not only seemed to be applying what they learned, but teaching others as well. Anyone who watches this video can understand that the age old learning method of pencil and paper are no longer effective or sufficient. In order for students to be prepared for a life and career in today's society, they will need the knowledge and tools that Ms. Davis is providing in her classroom.