Acttive Technology, 1998. INSTITUTION Western Illinois Univ., Macomb
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DOCUMENT RESUME ED 434 475 EC 307 473 AUTHOR Hutinger, Patricia L., Ed. TITLE ACTTive Technology, 1998. INSTITUTION Western Illinois Univ., Macomb. PUB DATE 1998-00-00 NOTE 66p. AVAILABLE FROM Macomb Projects, 27 Horrabin Hall, 1 University Circle, Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL 61455 ($16 for 4 issues per year). Tel: 309-298-1634. PUB TYPE Collected Works Serials (022) JOURNAL CIT ACTTive Technology; v13 n1-4 Win-Fall 1998 EDRS PRICE MF01/PC03 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS *Accessibility (for Disabled); *Assistive Devices (for Disabled); *Computer Assisted Instruction; Computer Software; *Computer Uses in Education; *Disabilities; Early Childhood Education; *Educational Technology; Technological Advancement ABSTRACT Four issues of "ACTTive Technology" include major articles, editorials, suggested curriculum activities, reviews of software and educational media, early childhood and technology news items, and conference calendars. Major articles include: "Teaching and Learning with Technology" (Joyce Johanson); "Use Switches and Alternate Keyboards To Add Music and Dramatic Play to Your Classroom" (Amy Betz and Judy Potter); "Effective Classroom Conditions Promote Emergent Literacy"; "Let's Get Physical with Science" (Susan Schoon); "IDEA and Access to the General Education Curriculum: An Early Childhood Perspective" (Patricia L. Hutinger); "When Young Children Use the Internet: A Report of Benefits for Families, Children, and Teachers" (Letha Clark); "Use Technology To Study Nature" (Amy Betz); and "Companies Offer Statewide Licenses for Software Writing Tools." (Some articles contain references.) (DB) ******************************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * ******************************************************************************** ACTTIVE TECHNOLOGY 71- A PUBLICATION OF MACOMB PROJECTS WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY MACOMB, IL 61455 VOLUME 13, NUMBER 1, WIN-TER 1998 VOLUME 13, NUMBER 2, SPRING 1998 VOLUME 13, NUMBER 3, SUMMER 1998 VOLUME 13, NUMBER 4, FALL 1998 PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION BEEN GRANTED BY CENTER (ERIC) Elehis document has been reproducedas received from the person or organization originating it. ashCe_at Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) Points of view or opinions slated inthis document do not necessarily represent 1 official OERI position or policy. BESTCOPYAVAILAE3LE ACTTivETEchNotogy A Publication ofMacomb Projects, Western Illinois University,Macomb, Illinois 61455 ©Copyright 1998 MacombProjects VOLUME 13, NUMBER1 Winter 1998 Teaching and by Joyce Johanson Learning with'Technology Technology As A Toolfor Teacherstools for creating Teachers have always posters, classroom used tools tocalendars (weekly, Technology As A Toolfor Young help them present monthly, yearly), the material to bebanners, invitations, Children with Disabilities learned. Some of these name tags, and Since 1980, Macomb tools we clas-labels. Using authoring Projects has sify today software, such as "low tech"such thingsas Roger Wagner's been exploring thepotential of com- as chalk and chalkboards, HyperStudio, magic mark-teachers can even puter and adaptive technologiesas they ers and poster paper; others create their ownrelate to the education by com-software that enhances of young chil- parison have been a curriculardren with disabilities. more "high tech" activity or is individualized The overriding tape recorders, 8 for a par- mission of Macomb mm movie projectors,ticular student. Projects is to pro- film strip projectors,slide projectors, vide equalizingopportunities to Technology playsan especially es- young overhead projectors,VCRs, and laser children with disabilities sential role for teachersof children by providing disc players. their families andteachers with train- with disabilities. Notonly does it make Today's newest "hightech" educa- ing, technical assistance,and products some of the routine teachingtasks tional tools includecomputers and in- relating to assistive easier, but technologyalso allows a technology. Tech- teractive software. Froma teaching per-teacher to create nology, particularlycomputers and spective, they offer learning activities many advantagesand set up inclusive adaptive peripherals,has provided these ranging from classroom learning environ-young children, their families, management,ments that enable the child and their recordkeeping, assessment, with dis-teachers with tools for lesson plan-abilities to learn and play equalizing op- ning, and lesson along withportunities in presentation. Com-the other children. In many areascognitive puter software exists that addition, special development, motor enables aeducation teacherscan take advantage development, so- teacher to accomplishall these tasks cial development,and self esteem, of the plethora ofinformation about to and more in less timethan traditional name a few. methods. disabilities and assistivetechnology that is posted Computers are extremelypatient and The time saving features on various web sites. of databases,Resources, chat uncritical when childrenmake mis- spreadsheets, desk top rooms, and articles publishing, andcan be accessed to provide takesmarvelouscharacteristics word processing software current, which make them allow teach-important information quite effective for ers to organize their lessons, to any teacher, their class-no matter how remote young children's learning.Not only room budgets, their or rural herthat, the newer interactive communicationclassroom is. Contactcan be made software al- with parents, andchildren's IEPs,as- lows young children with consultants,well-known profes- to explore and sessment portfolios, andpersonal experiment in a safeenvironment where sionals, and other earlychildhood col- records. Once createdand storedon there is nowrong answer and where leagues through e-mailfor sharing cur- a hard drive or floppydisk, the files child may experiencesuccess, some- riculum ideas and gainingresource containing these materialsare acces- times for the firsttime. information. The potentialfor future sible and available formodifying and Computers arean especially impor- uses grows daily as newtechnologies updating. tant learning tool forchildren with are created and as inventiveteachers Calendar makingprograms, graphics physical disabilities.Assistive tech- realize thepower computers haveas programs, and suchprograms as Print nologies, includingcomputers and Shop Deluxe provide teaching tools and beginto take advan- teachers withtage of their capabilities. adaptive devices (e.g.,switches, alter- native keyboards,touch tablets) pro- continued on page 3 3 Page 2 ACTTive Technology Winter 1998 From The Editors. Table of Contents by Linda Robinson Teaching and Learning with As winter winds blew snow acrossof those presentations which were ac- Technology Illinois, parents and early childhoodcepted finds technology to be a topic 1 teachers traveled to Macomb to attendthat is sadly missing from the broader From the Editors Macomb Projects' ninth annual Earlyrealm of early childhood issues. It is Cat in the Hat Review 4 Childhood Technology Conferenceup to us as conference attendees and (formerly known as the ACTT Confer-members of these organizations to let Curriculum ACTTIVities 5 ence). sponsors know our needs and desires. Curriculum Integration Ideas Once again, the conference was a huge On a positive note, many state tech- 6 success, thanks to the many efforts ofnology conferences are now including dedicated staff, the expertise of pre-(and some have for years) early child- Switches and Alternate Keyboards to senters, the enthusiasm of participants;hood presentations in their yearly pro- Add Music and Drama to Your and the generosity of many companiesgram. Macomb Projects staff are asked that donated software and publicationsmore frequently to present at these Classroom 8 as door prizes. One of the most pleasur-conferences. Feb Site Features IntelliTools able aspects of the conference for our Although attending conference pre- Activities 8 staff is seeing familiar faces and meet-sentations provides participants an ing new people. awareness level of technology knowl- The ECEOL ListSery 9 Despite all the years this conferenceedge, hands-on training and the coop- Government Technology Programs has been offered, our staff are stillerative support of both teachers and amazed at the number of participantsadministrators are needed to make 11 who come as novices to technology,technology successful for young chil- Technology Resource Guide. 11 especially to any type of adaptive equip-dren, as pointed out in our feature Laureate Demo CD-ROM 11 ment. This speaks to the ever-presentarticle. The degree of teacher involve- need for training and more conferencesment and administrative support seems Calendar of Conference 11 which focus on technology topics forto correlate directly with effective tech- IntelliTalk H. 11 early childhood. nology use in the classroom. Subscription Form 12 In spite of technology's availability There are many components to con- and proven benefits since the 1980's, tosider when using technology includ- this day, if you look at programs ofing environment, activity design and Editor-in-chief: Patricia L. Hutinger conferences sponsored by national oradaptability,