'Tech It Easy' Makes Summer-time Learning Fun
Marian Educational Outreach sponsored the third annual “Tech it Easy” summer day camp on June 27-28. The goal of the camp is to introduce students who benefit from assistive technology to new accessible programs in a fun atmosphere, which will inspire students for success, educationally and in life.
This year’s camp, hosted by MEO for students from grades 3-12, was held in the Reitz Memorial High School Media Center.
MEO Director Beverly Williamson organizes the annual workshop with the assistance of area teachers and technology specialists. Teachers and volunteers serve as instructors for the sessions, taking care to ensure that students are as active as possible in playing, creating and designing.
Using Tellagami, an app that allows users to create quick videos with messaging, counselors instantly engaged students as the camp began. Students shared information through their own video clips displayed on a large screen. Jamie Broeker, special education teacher at Holy Spirit School, stressed the importance of how students could use this program, as well as others such as PicCollage, Jotnot and Wunderlist in the real world across devices.
Sandy Stabenfeldt, PATINS (Promoting Achievement through Technology and Instruction for all Students) Coordinator for Southwest Indiana, agrees with Broeker. “The need for (devices and apps) is growing. We’re getting the word out and sharing what is available.”
The PATINS Project is a statewide technical assistance network that connects local education agencies to accessible materials, assistive technology, professional development and technical support through the Indiana Department of Education.
On June 28, Stabenfeldt held a parent break-out session to share tips and tricks to help students use tools not only in the classroom, but also to assist students as they continue to learn at home.
Helping parents become familiar with the apps increases the student’s chance for success. The more students use the apps, the more comfortable they will become and be less hesitant to use the tools to assist in their classwork.
