Academic Issues: Many of our students do fairly well in non-academic courses such as P.E. and Art, but struggle with academic courses. Some students were doing very inconsistent work, and achieving marks in school that the teachers thought were not reflective of the students’ capacity. Some of our students have difficulty with reading and writing. Many of our students have not experienced success in school, and so do not believe they can learn. They lack confidence academically. Social Issues: Some of our students have difficulty self-regulating their behaviour. They have not learned how to work well with others, or how to take part in discussions appropriately. Other students stick to themselves, sit at the back of the class, pull their hoods up over their heads and do not interact with others in the class.

Social Issues: Some of our students have difficulty self-regulating their behaviour. They

have not learned how to work well with others, or how to take part in discussions appropriately.

Other students stick to themselves, sit at the back of the class, pull their hoods up over

their heads and do not interact with others in the class.

http://mashable.com/2012/05/11/ipad-special-needs/

This site describes 10 ways to use iPads with special needs students.

To set up iPad or iPod touch for syncing:

1. Connect the iPad or iPod touch to your computer and open iTunes (if it doesn’t open

automatically).

2. In iTunes, click the iPad or iPod touch icon under Devices in the left sidebar.

3. Click the Summary button if the Summary pane is not already open.

4. Select syncing options in the Summary pane:

• Select the option to have iTunes open automatically when the device is connected if

you want iTunes to open and sync the device automatically whenever you connect it to

the computer. Deselect this option if you want to sync only by clicking the Sync button

in iTunes or if you want to manually manage content.

• Select “Sync only checked songs and videos” if you want to sync only items that are

selected in the computer’s iTunes library.

• Select “Manually manage music and videos” to turn off automatic syncing in the Music

and Video settings panes. If you select this option, you add items to the device by

dragging them from the iTunes library. For more information about the Summary pane

options, see the user guides for iPad and iPod touch, available at apple.com

support

.

5. To sync the library’s music, movies, TV shows, and podcasts, click the Music, Movies, TV

Shows, Podcasts, and iTunes U buttons and select to sync all the titles in that category or

just selected ones.

6. To sync the library’s Photos, click the Photos buttons and select the options you want.

7. To select the sync setting for contacts, calendars, email accounts, notes, and web

browser bookmarks, click the Info button and make the selections you want.

8. To specify App Store apps to install on iPad or iPod touch from your iTunes library, click

the Apps button.

9. When you’re finished, click Apply.

iTunes starts loading your device with the selected content. This can take several

minutes if the iTunes library is large.

When the device no longer displays the “Sync in progress” message, you can safely

disconnect it.

When you use your iPad or iPod touch to record audio or download items from the Wi-Fi

iTunes Store or the App Store, those items are synced from the device back to your

iTunes library.

Still have one MAC that has never worked so only using 3 right now frustrating trying to get them loaded but the new config. site should help.  My student is enjoying his tech. and the class has had the chance to play with the tech. as well.  The teacher has added some activities that I think will go well with the flip camera and the comic life element.  I have had to down size the assignments to try and fit it all in as it takes more time with the tech.

I finally found a way to configure the Macs and iPads!  Took me forever but here is the link for those that are interested in using multiple devices http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/apple-configurator/id434433123?mt=12&ls=1

Project 2:

(application, analysis)

• Using the Flip Camera interview another person who pretends to be a character from a specific myth (Zeus, Medusa).  Ask at least 10 questions during your interview

 This was a really difficult task for my student as he does not like to be filmed or to view himself.  I did a demo with my self but it was tough convincing him to go ahead with this.

Technology and Mythology Project 1: (knowledge, comprehension, application) • Create a poster based on a myth using the camera (on Ipad 2). The App “Brushes” may help to manipulate the illustration. You need to create 2 digital versions of the poster.  My student has been working on this project at home as an introduction to the tech. and give him a head start on the assignment.  He enjoys art, logos, posters, anything visual.  He is for the most part on task but can be distracted by all the gadgets.

So in one of my assignments I wanted to add a flash player to the iPad – however the iPads don’t allow for this- I can do it on the MAC computer but not on the iPad.  I am trying to find something that is compatible to the flash player but so far there is nothing out there that I can find that will load onto the iPad.

If you could have seen the smile on my student’s face when I introduced the tech. to him this week!!!  My other high functioning students were also thrilled to know that they would be able to use the devices as well.  I brought it into the classroom and you could feel ALL of the students being drawn in- designated and non-designated students.  There are many aboriginal students in the classroom and low-income housing individuals who do not have access to technology at home.  The buzzs in the room was awesome.  I demonstrated using the app “Songify” on the iPad.  This app is really cool.  One talks into the iPad and then selects a specific stly of music and then the app changes it into a rap song.  This app is wonderful for students to show what they know in a creative way.  If you have students who enjoy music (  they do not have to be able to carry a tune or create the music)  this program can show the teacher what the student has learned through music.  It is a fun and creative way for all students to present to the class.  If a student is shy about public speaking this would be a way to include them!