Video Modeling

What is it? “a visual teaching method that occurs by watching a video of someone modeling a targeted behavior or skill and then imitating the behavior/skill watched.” (Watch Me Learn)

What can you use it for?

•       Motor behaviors

•       Social skills

•       Communication

•       Self-monitoring

•       Functional life skills

•       Vocational skills

•       Athletic performance

•       Emotional regulation

This is a great tool to use for a variety of skills. Luckily we are often surrounded by many different types of technology; lets take advantage of the built in features, such as cameras and videos! At my school, we did a presentation with all of the speech and language therapists to show staff how they can use the cameras on their iPads for video modeling! This could benefit many students in special education that are struggling with a skill.

Links:

http://ericsailers.com/blog_files/Summary_of_a_video_modeling_tutorial.html

http://newsinfo.iu.edu/web/page/normal/5634.html

http://www.watchmelearn.com/video-modeling/what-is-video-modeling

https://www.pinterest.com/dowerassociates/video-modeling/

Some Favorite Scheduling Apps

Two of my favorite scheduling apps that I often recommend are: Choiceworks and First Then Visual Schdule (FTVS). Both do similar things, but they also have some different features that are important.  I really like that both apps include a library of pictures, and ways to import pictures through your built-in camera or pictures saved on your camera roll. In addition, both apps allow you to create quick and easy schedules with the ability to record voices and incorporate text-to-speech for non readers or students that require multimodal support. Choiceworks and FTVS also have a nice visual to show the individual the completion of each task.

Differences:

Choiceworks

•  Three boards: Schedule, Waiting, and Feelings
•  3 social story (Companion) books for each board

FTVS

• variety of layouts to present visuals
• can incorporate videos
• can incorporate choice boards

Choiceworks - $6.99

For more information, click here 

For a video tutorial, click here

FTVS HD - $14.99

For manuals and a video tutorial, please visit this website and scroll down to the bottom

Importance of Projectors in Special Education

I feel that it is very important to have projectors in every classroom. Research in the neuroscience of learning proves that engagement is a huge piece to a successful and necessary learning environment; Click here to find out more on the "Neuroscience of Learning". We have 21^st century learners, and we need to incorporate technology into teaching methods.  It is essential that students in special education use/have access to visuals for learning; specifically students with hearing impairments, low cognitive abilities, ADHD, auditory processing difficulties, and autism. Here is a list of other reasons for having projectors in every classroom:

• ·      Helps benefit visual/auditory learners
• ·      Attracts and holds students attention
• ·      Offers a necessary multisensory approach for students in special education
• ·      Makes abstract concepts more concrete for students (via visuals, videos, examples, etc.)
• ·      Allows teachers to modify complicated information in a more engaging/easier way
• ·      Allow students to attach meaning to concepts/lessons
• ·      Allow students to respond more quickly and comprehend material better.
• ·      Allows teachers to display lessons (such as reading A-Z)