Case Study Presentations/Day 5

Today our class spent most of the day presenting our iPod communication boards, for the students described in the two assigned case studies. As mentioned in yesterday's blog, our class was broken into two groups and these larger groups were divided into four subgroups. The larger groups collaborated together and developed an IPP appropriate for the child in each of the case studies. Our group worked with Sally while the other group developed a communication board for Charlie.
We started the presentations with the delivery of the case study which was followed by the IPP. Later the smaller groups gave a coherent flow to the project, similar to the program planning that we develop in our schools. The four smaller groups delivered the chosen environment that they developed to be utilized by the primary user.
Time restrictions and lack of exposure to the iPod created challenges for myself and several other students in the class. However, the presentations were both impressive and a rewarding experience. All groups had carefully matched communication messages to the abilities and interests of their user.
Now that I have had the exposure to this equipment and appreciate its use, I am interested in incorporating the iPod into the strategies needed to assist my students.
We spent some time at the iTune store, mainly focusing on the APPs that would be appropriate for special needs students. Again, this was another new experience for me but it should be enjoyable browsing through the many applications appropriate for our special needs students. I am looking forward to being an 'APP Detective' and learning from my classmates investigations and the treasures they uncover at the iTunes Store.