Instructional Tools

The first software tool I chose was Vizzle Software for Autism. This software allows teachers and educators to use the software in assisting with their lesson, create lesson plans, share created lesson plans, and much more. From a student perspective, Vizzle is very hands on and allows the student to explore their senses, especially with the Vizzle for Autism aspect. The students will learn how to use their motor functions by solving problems using their sensory functions. Students are not necessarily graded, at least not from a standard point of view. Students are rewarded with smiley faces or fun sounds or visuals when they answer correctly. Using the table referenced on page 180 in the text, this software meets all of the criteria mentioned. It covers all aspects from teacher support and content, to Assesment, technical quality, and instructional design. The best equipment that would be used with this software would be the smartboard. With the smartboard, it allows for students to be very hands on and to see and hear everything clearly. This software presents many advantages for using it with students. The ability to have a student use their hands on a board is a huge advatage in itself. It also allows the student to be interactive with the board and also with other students in the class.

The second tool I chose was an iPad application. The iPad application was Fill the Gap. This application asks the user to fill in the word with a missing letter. The game offers visual and sound effects that pronounce the word and allows the user to see a picture of what the word is. You can choose to have a first, middle, or last letter missing. You can also choose to have a vowel, digraphs, or irregular vowels missing and can also choose any length of words. If you answer correctly, you get a sound or visual recognition of answering correctly. Incorrect answers also receive a visual and audio response indicating the correct answer and it will not move to the next word until it is answered correctly. Based on the criteria from page 180 in the text, this application meets all of the criteria except for the teacher support, in that it does not offer resources for teachers. Other than that, it offers great content, assesment, technical quailty, and instructional design. This application is best used on an iPad so that the student has a large viewing area and is not limited to tiny spaces. The advantages of using this application with students is that it allows for the student to work on literacy skills in a fun way!!!

The third tool I chose is smartboards. Smartboard is an educational tool to use with students that require a "hands-on" approach to learning. It allows students to use their hands, fingers, or tools to navigate the smartboard. Whatever is displayed on the smartboard, the student can use their finger or tools to execute the same functions that a computer mouse would. The smart board also allows the use of writing tools that enable students to write on the smartboard and also edit what they've written. 

Reflection:
Using instructional tools in the classroom can be helpful with gaining students' attention, allowing students to strengthen their understanding, and also allow them to have fun! Learning about these awesome tools has helped me realize that instructional tools are essential to teaching a successful group of students. They can be used as a primary learning tool or maybe just a tool used as reinforcement of a certain subject. Technology has come a long way, and the use of it in the classroom, I believe, should be mandatory.

INTASC Standard: 6. The teacher uses knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.