CIDDL, and, let’s face it, the world as a whole, has been fascinated with the launch of AI and how it is and will impact our lives. We have talked a lot about the impact of ChatGPT, how it can be used to support literacy, math, and even solve word problems. In a recent CIZZL, our chef Tiffanie Zaugg used it to generate her recipe. But, did you know that there are literally thousands of AIs that have been developed with specific roles and areas of expertise?
It’s hard to believe that the spring semester is almost over. Whether you are teaching classes this summer, taking an exotic vacation (check out our must-haves for packing), or stay-cationing from your couch, summer is this elusive time where you tell yourself you are going to do all the things that you didn’t during the academic year. One of those, for me at least, is catching up on the trending topics in education.
CIDDL is the Center for Innovation, Design, and Digital Learning and our mission is to improve faculty’s capacity to use educational technology in personnel preparation programs. Part of our role is to teach about new and emerging technologies as they relate to students with disabilities, teachers and related service providers, higher education faculty, and other leaders in education. We do this through blog posts (like this one), webinars, research and practice briefs, and CIZZLEs.
Teachers, principals, and school districts have been battling cell phones and other mobile technologies (remember pagers?) in the classroom for nearly two decades. Reasons cited as to why these devices should be banned from the classroom include cheating, bullying, and illegal/ illicit activities. But, in the digital age, where students entering the workforce are expected to have an understanding of not only basic technology, but how to leverage it to maximize productivity and creativity, shouldn’t those in education be looking for ways to leverage mobile devices to support student learning? In this blog post, we will explore the ways in which recent literature proposes mobile devices can be used in K-12 classrooms and make suggestions as to how these can transfer to higher education.
In a previous post, we discussed the importance of play for children with disabilities and how technology can facilitate play. Teachers employed technology in the classroom to encourage social interactions between students with and without disabilities. Students, when given opportunities, took existing technology and used it in innovative ways. Finally, parents spoke about how technology provided alternative forms of communication or even allowed them to watch how their children played.
Making reading content accessible to all learners in the classroom is critical. But how can educators provide access to grade-level content for learners needing reading and comprehension support? ChatGPT, Rewordify, and Textcompactor can be used to support tiered reading in the classroom.
With the launch of ChatGPT, talks of how AI will change the classroom are making headlines across the nation. But, AI has been embedded in tools we use to support students with the reading and writing process for a long time. What’s different now? The fact that the AI can generate an entire essay, albeit many teachers would only grade it as B or C work, at best.
At the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) 2023 Annual Convention, Dr. Larry Wexler, the Director of Research to Practice of the Office of Special Education shared an overview of each of the OSEP funded centers. CIDDL was one of the 30 centers he highlighted and we wanted to share the list with you!
One of the possible silver linings of the pandemic has been the proliferation of available mobile devices (e.g., iPad, Chromebooks, Smartphones) across our preK-12 learning environments. Where once schools were considering whether to purchase mobile learning carts or add a computer lab, technology investments today find an overwhelming majority of preK-12 learners (some estimates suggest over 85%) with access to their own mobile learning device. With increased investments, teachers and learners are increasingly relying on the device as a foundational element of instruction and subsequent learning.
CIDDL is gearing up for the Council for Exceptional Children’s Convention in Louisville which means we are gathering all of our favorite tech to bring to the convention. CIDDL will have a large presence at the Tech Playground at the conference, which means we’re bringing all of our fun tech for you to try! And, when tech lovers and experts come together, you know they have to make sure they have all of their goodies and gear to use, show off, and collaborate with.