Seeing the Child, Not the Disability. February 29, 2008

My intention when posting this video is to remind all future educators to look past the disability and see the actual child. Many Early Childhood educators will find that they will be working with children with disabilities, whether they are under IDEA, 504, or even if they haven’t been assessed yet, in their inclusive classroom. It is important not only to be aware of the stereotypes, labels, and assumptions made about children with disabilities, but also to make sure that we remain open minded and realize that just because a child may be disabled doesn’t mean they are not capable, or suffering from their disability. It is our job as educators to look past the disability and to see the child as an individual so that we can address their individual needs and make sure that they are educated and can reach their full potential.

An article I found called “People First Language” by Kathie Snow, explains many stereotypes that come about when it comes to people with disabilities. She states how powerful labels can be and the impact they have on the people we use them on. Snow also stresses the importance of using “People First” language, such as saying “Kate has autism” instead of “She’s autistic.” This article is very informative and gives the reader another view on people with disabilities. You can read this article here.

Writing Spaces February 28, 2008

                Three writing spaces that I use most often are a pen and paper, a laptop computer, and a cell phone. I believe that the one I use most out of all of these writing spaces is the pen and paper because I am constantly using a pen to jot things down, take notes, sign papers, and fill out forms.  I use the pen and paper to take brief notes or to create an outline for a paper but when it comes to writing a paper or anything else that requires a good deal of writing, if possible, I will not hesitate to use my laptop computer. Not only do I use my laptop for writing papers and other school work, I also use it to communicate with friends and family through the instant messaging system that I downloaded.  Although I do use the computer very frequently, I do not always have my computer with me and end up using my pen and paper more because it is easier to transport from place to place. This also is sometimes true when it comes to my cell phone.  My cell phone is easier to take with me because it is small and can fit in my pocket or my purse, so when I need to communicate with people I can simply text message them from my cell phones keypad and they will normally receive the text within the minute. Texting is also more convenient when the person I need to contact is not on their screen name on the instant messaging system.

                Today, I hear a lot of talk about the computer taking the place of pen and paper. This is most likely because the word processing programs on the computer have started to replace the pen in many aspects.  When I step back and take a look at my personal habits, in some ways this belief is true. Because of the access to a computer, I no longer write out my drafts for my papers and instead I type them up because I find it to be less time consuming and less painful on my hands. The computer makes writing much easier and faster and makes errors easier to erase and correct. However, although my laptop is transportable, it is more convenient to transport something much smaller such as a pen and paper. Therefore, at least in my life, I do not think that the computer will ever completely replace the pen and paper. The computer has taken the place of the pen and paper when it comes to communication and using word processing to writing papers, however, it is less of a hassle to use a pen and paper when doing simple things such as taking notes, creating a grocery list, or just simply jotting something down for later use.

Writing Spaces and Remediation February 28, 2008

Three writing spaces that I use most frequently would have to be word processing, a pen and paper, and a cell phone’s text-messaging service. I use a pen and paper everyday whether I’m taking notes in class, completing a homework assignment, or writing notes to others as well as myself. I may from time to time bring my computer to class to take notes because it is efficient, however, pen and paper seems to be more reliable. I can write on the page any which way I please, use my own symbols and pictures, or anything else I could possibly want on the paper. Using the “old-fashion” technique also prevents any loss of the information, for instance, if the computer crashes or doesn’t save properly.

By no means am I anti-computer or anti-word processing. Using my word processor keeps me sane when it comes homework whether it’s a one-page assignment to a ten-page paper. It is much faster to type than write and even easier to edit on screen rather than on paper. Using copy and paste, backspace and spell check is less stressful than all cross outs, arrows, and re-writing rough drafts time after time after time. Using a word processing is efficient and easy, which is probably why it is so popular.

The last writing space was hard to choose between using the IM on computer or text on cell phone feature. I decided that I rely more on text messages than instant messaging someone over the computer, although if you asked me that question five years ago I was all about the IM. Now a day with our generation’s need for instant gratification, something called INSTANT messaging isn’t even fast enough! I find that when a text message is sent it is answered right away. Using the IM feature, the person may have an away message on or they might not even be signed on at all. Using a text seems much more direct, which is probably why I use the feature so much.

As far as remediation goes, Bolter describes it as progression in that form of writing. He explains it as an evolution in a new advanced form. I feel that every new technology remediates not only itself but also the others preceding it. It doesn’t necessarily have to eliminate a previous form, but it enhances it. The email remediated the letter, word processor remediated the pen and paper. The instant messenger remediated the email and then was remediated by the text message! The succession continues, each form will grow and develop into a more advanced form. This still doesn’t mean any form has to be come completely obsolete. Because in the end, however, it all comes down to personal preference.

Writing Spaces and Remediation February 28, 2008

The three writing spaces I use most frequently are a word processor, a pen and paper, and a PECS book and cards. Since I was in middle school, I remember being required to type my ‘final drafts’ – no matter if the document was for a class in Language Arts, Science, History, or any other content area – in a word processor. Of course as most of us college students know, it is the norm to type just about anything you hand in for a college course. I am now so accustomed to using a computer program, like Microsoft Word or Corel WordPerfect, that I find myself instinctively skipping all of the other steps to the writing process, instead opting to go straight for the keyboard when I need to complete an assignment. For me, the ability to edit my work easily as I go is a major appeal of using a word processor as my preferred writing space. If I were to handwrite a draft, I would find the editing process (with all of the crossing out, adding, and moving sections that I often do as I write) to be messy and confusing. This does not happen when I edit in a Word document, thanks to cut and paste, formatting, text altering tools, spell check, and the many other editing options as my disposal, clearly labeled and click-able on the toolbar.

However, since I do not carry a laptop around with me at all times, I often still do use a pen and paper. Mostly, this writing space comes in handy for me in class and meeting settings. When I need to take notes of a professor’s lecture or for work, a pen and paper allow for me to do this quickly and effectively. Since using traditional handwriting is the way most of us learned how to write and take notes, it seems reasonable that this writing with a pen and paper is an ingrained habit.

My third writing shape is a PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) book and cards, which I use when I work with a child who has severe autism. As this child’s nanny, I need to communicate with the six-year old on a daily basis, but since he has extreme language delays, his main way of communicating is through a PECS system as a way of pictorially written communication. To explain briefly, PECS is an augmentative communication strategy that uses labeled picture cards to represent specific words and actions. For this child, his cards have Velcro on the back and are kept in a special book, which has a Velcro sentence strip on the front cover. When the child wants to communicate something to another person, he can take corresponding picture cards out of the book and present them to the person (either by handing the card or by putting it on the sentence strip). I also use the PECS cards to ‘speak’ to the child by presenting cards to him. So for example, if I need to ask him if he would like juice or milk, I can place the picture card for juice and the card for milk on the sentence strip and give him the book, where he can pull off the card that represents want he wants. Through this system, he and I can communicate even though he cannot speak; this is possible through this way of writing with pictures to communicate, as essential writing space for this child with autism.

In discussing the PECS book/cards and a word processor, the word processor has begun to remediate PECS. More and more, technology is being integrated into education. This is especially true in special education, where technology can be used to help students overcome delays or deficits in certain areas. By providing non-verbal children who have autism with word processors, it is quite feasible that they can communicate very well. As a matter of fact, ABC News recently aired a segment on a teenage girl with autism who was non-verbal and appeared to lack the ability to express thoughts and ideas well. Yet, after learning how to type on a computer, she was able and willing to express herself in ways that other autism-related writing tools (such as PECS) did not allow.

The Remediation of Writing Spaces February 28, 2008

The three writing spaces I feel I utilize the most are pen and paper, word processors, and AOL Instant Messaging.  Because I am such a sequential person I love and need to make lists.  Making a list is usually the start of every day for me and throughout the day I find myself jotting down notes to keep me on task for that week or in a specific activity.  A spiral notebook becomes my haven for ideas and also helps me keep up with upcoming tasks and manage my time.  In the classroom I much prefer taking notes with a pen and a notebook to typing them on a laptop.  Even though it might not look as neat and clean afterwards, I learn better when I physically write the words on paper.  Although I often use a pencil and paper there are times when a word processor is necessary, such as for formal papers and assignments in the classroom.

Nowadays it is less time consuming and also a neater presentation to type assignments using a word processor such as Microsoft Word. This remediated writing space is required to be used for almost every assignment given out at the college level and therefore I am constantly writing and composing papers on my computer. Another vastly used writing space is laptop for instant messaging. I send tons of IM’s all day whether it is to ask a question of a classmate or simply send a friendly message to a friend.  Instant messaging can be thought of as the remediated form emails because of the immediacy of the communication.  Emails were considered convenient but answering an email was just not quick enough. Instead people can IM a person and receive a response the exact second the person sees the message.  This may be the most remediated form of communication we use in society today because of the fast paced nature of the conversations.