iTouch the World -Using Technology in Deaf Education

1. iTouch the World -Using Technology in Deaf Education Sandra Connatser, MEd Region 4 ESC Susan Armstrong, MEd Conroe RDSPD Kimberle Kasper, MEd Brazoria-Fort Bend RDSPD Laura Cothran East Harris County Cooperative for Deaf Education Melissa Starr Trinity Valley RDSPD

2. Our Mobile World… The Growth of Mobile – Stats and Figures That Will Shock You! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aUQLIPdtg8

3. Today’s Mobile Generation: • 160 billion emails sent daily (97% are spam) • 1 billion computers in use • 4 billion cell phones in use • 3 billion cell phone sold EVERY DAY • 1.8 billion people go to the Internet every day – 450 million of them speak English (source, Internet – May 2011)

4. 1 billion (of the 4 billion) are Smart Phones • 3 billion have SMS (texting) capability • 30,000 free apps available on iTunes • 30 million apps downloaded every day • In 2011 more than 50% of all local searches done with a mobile device • In 2014, MOBILE INTERNET usage will overtake desktop Internet usage (source, Internet – May 2011)

5. 86% of mobile users watch TV while using their mobile device • 200 million access Facebook on their mobile device • 91% of mobile Internet use is social related • There are 173 billion texts per month (source, Internet – May 2011)

6. Our Project “iTouch the World”

7. Description/Objectives of Our Project “The purpose of this project is to provide opportunities for teachers to facilitate the use of assistive technology for individual students in the classroom to enhance reading and language development skills. Region 4 will provide selected classroom or itinerant teachers in Deaf Education with an iPod Touch and Flip Video Camera for each student in their class.”

8. Participant Requirements “To participate in this project, participants must have student(s) they work with who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Teachers must be nominated by their local education agency (LEA) and selected by Region 4 as a participant. The Deaf Education administrator/designee and the participants must sign this agreement.”

9. Additionally: • Region 4 underwrote the cost of the project • Substitute reimbursement was provided (upon request) • All materials were provided to the districts (including apps) • After completion of project, iPods and video cameras remained with program/district to be used in following years

10. The Selection Process • Guidelines and application provided to Deaf Ed Supervisors in Region 4 for distribution to teachers • 20 iPod Touches and 20 Flip Video Cameras were available to applicants • Applicants selected using a rubric process (4 teachers selected with a total of 18 students) • Parental consent required for students in project (due to video taping) • Two days of training provided to teachers • Third day – teachers’ presentation to Deaf Ed supervisors and Deaf Ed Advisory Committee at Region 4

11. Region 4 Education Service Center “iTouch the World” - Using Technology in Deaf Education Agreement 2010-2011 Region 4 Agrees to: • Provide 1.5 days of training during the 2010-11 school year and.5 day to share classroom experiences with the Region 4 Advisory Committee for Students Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing • Provide relevant homework opportunities and implementation guidelines for participants to enhance application of strategies and skills • Provide materials to support implementation of the training • Provide substitute reimbursement of up to $75 per training, as needed, for selected participants • Provide technical assistance • Provide opportunities for networking District Agrees to: • Nominate a designated participant by returning this form to Region 4 by November19, 2010 • Release the project participant to attend all of the designated professional development training opportunities • Provide support for the participants to engage in the homework opportunities and to implement new learning • Provide access to the Internet and e-mail for participants to participate in online networking with other teachers and Region 4 staff members Participant Agrees to: • Attend and actively participate in all training sessions during the project • Complete homework opportunities and implementation plans by designated dates • Implement a variety of strategies and instructional activities using the technology provided • Share information obtained through the project with relevant district staff • Participate in networking with other project participants District: _________________________________________________ Deaf Education Administrator/Designee Signature Date Participant Signature Date (To be signed by project participant)

13. Implementation • 4 teachers provided with the iPods and fFipVideo Cameras in December for each student • Met again in February to discuss progress and share ideas • Teachers used iPods in a variety of situations: • Kindergarten and first grade • Upper elementary • Middle school and high school • Itinerant students

14. iPod Apps • There are currently 20,801 educational apps available on iTunes (iTunes, 2011) • Many apps are FREE • Teachers can create accounts with their education organizational email account in order to keep purchases separate from personal accounts • Apps can be organized in to folders according to student, academic area, age, etc. on the iTouch • Internet settings can be set to restrict students

16. iPod Touch Applications (Apps) • See the iTouch the World Wikispace for a list of applications used during the project. http://itouchtheworld.wikispaces.com/

17. A Closer Look

18. Student Benefits • Increased enthusiasm and motivation for learning • Increased student self-confidence/self-esteem • Accommodated students with multiple disabilities • Viewed interaction with the iPod Touch as instructional learning • Encouraged independent learning • Supported all learning modalities

19. Student Results 1. We began using the iPod program “iSentence: sentence builder” on 4/25/2011.  On that date, the student edited 1 out of 5 sentences correctly.  After spending about 10 minutes a week on this program, on 5/16/2011 the student was able to edit 4 out of 5 sentences correctly. 2. One student was really struggling with idioms.  We began using the iPod program “idioms lite” on 2/22/2011.  When presented with 6 random idioms involving animals, the student was able to describe none of them. By 5/9/2011, the student accurately described and illustrated 7 out of 8 idioms correctly. 3.  I began using “Short Vowel Mahjong” with a struggling reader.  We began using the app on 2/1/2011.  When presented tiles with a picture and the voiced name, the student was able to identify 2 vowel sounds correctly, but was unable to match similar vowel sounds with the picture.  After weekly use the student was able to correctly match 7 out of 9 matches on the first try within 4 minutes and 14 seconds on 4/12/2011.  He was given visual phonics and card with the vowels written on it for a study aid.  Itinerant Teachers from Fort Bend ISD/Brazoria-Fort Bend RDSPD

20. Additional Considerations… • Consider purchasing • Microphone (for speech apps) • Speaker (to enhance volume) • Projector and document camera • Demonstrate how to use apps • Correct usage of iPods • Screen protectors • iPod and Flip Video cases

21. Flip Video Cameras • How we used them … • Language experience stories • Language samples • Field trips • Peer role modeling • Sign Language consistency • Parent involvement (vocabulary units, etc.) • Self awareness and reflection/appraisal • Technology integration in daily lessons

22. Flip Video Sample (Oil Ranch)

23. Language Sample

24. Sign Language Consistency

25. Self-Awareness

26. Vocabulary Development

27. Integrating Technology

28. Lessons Learned… • Provide rubric to applicants with the application • Require signatures from both the Special Education Director and Deaf Education Supervisor on the application • Establish process and guidelines for data gathering • Discuss connection and use of applications to individual goals and objectives for the IEP process • Consider extending the project over a two year timeframe

29. Considerations for District Administrators: • Determine who, what, when, where and why this technology will be used • Consider the use of technology for instructional purposes vs. “free time” • Develop district guidelines: • Use of iPods and iPads in the classrooms (and purchasing of apps) • Use of video taping with students and keeping as an educational record • Take advantage of any and all professional development in this ever changing technology – it’s here to stay and there is so much to learn!

30. Sandra Connatser, MEd Region 4 ESC Education Specialist, Special Education Solutions Sconnatser@esc4.net 713.744.6329