A weekly half hour chat focused on improving access to education for PK-12 students through the use of Accessible Educational Materials (AEM), Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and Assistive Technology (AT).
A1: It is less relevant for most occupations, but even in my digital-centric job, I still like to jot down hand-written lists. For literacy, it still seems relevant, to help young brains transition from shapes to language #PatinsIcam
A1: Definitely still relevant. Taking notes by hand can increase info retention. I don't know where I'd be without some of my hand written notes #PatinsIcam
A1: I'm going to take the controversial stand, knowing that I may be wrong on a few levels, and say "no," as long as fine motor, memorization, and other skills can be replaced by other means #PatinsIcam
I think the important thing is to respect what works for Individuals, not groups. You are correct that as long as it is being fed, it s right for THAT kid... #PatinsIcam
Although I think of handwriting as an art, and am sad that what I once treasured has now become such a personal challenge, I find I must agree with Daniel. There are other means to that end.#patinsicam
A3: again, I think that a signature doesn't HAVE to be correctly formed cursive letters. Mine never has been! #PatinsIcam However, I can value the process of connecting thoughts/letters in formation.
A2: I actually am just not sure. It is an individual thing...when a kid is ready, but fine motor skills come in LOTS of different packages. Activities to increase pre writing skills EARLY! #PatinsIcam
The physicality and connectivity of cursive can be really good for people with dyslexia...but I agree it does NOT need to be perfect. My writing has the flair of a doctor and the paycheck of a teacher... #PatinsIcam
is this an "old" comment, implying I had to roll my TAPES back in? ...actually, that WAS the only thing I preferred to use a pencil for. I despised writing with pencil my whole life. #PatinsIcam
A4: There is so much involved in this. Crawling, crossing the midline, tall kneeling activities, grasp, release, pinch, patterning reproduction, scissor skills etc. #patinsIcam
I find that if I hand write notes, I'm much more likely to look back at them time and again because I'll physically come across them rather than having to purposely seek them out in my Drive #PatinsIcam
A4: I always liked to have my students roll and then smash/pinch balls of silly putty with their tripod pincers to help build these muscles. #PatinsIcam
That was my jam several years ago...and then suddenly I found a digital system that worked for me and now I am all google drive all the time. SO strange! #PatinsIcam
A4: I also liked to break my crayons into 1/2 -1" pieces and have my students use those with the tripod grip to build that strength...but only if fine motor strength was the issue. #PatinsIcam
But I hand write on my tablet now with my Apple Pencil, I argued this the other day with someone - still handwritten - changes the dynamic though #patinsIcam
In reply to
@jlfahlbush, @danielgmcnulty, @RachelH872
A5: UDL makes everything flexible. All of the info we have discussed can actually become empowering to an S when they land on what works best! WE can provide the opportunities! #PatinsIcam
A5: offer different ways to access the creation of text: voice typing, stamps, predictive text software, using different materials besides pencil/paper, old fashioned type writers are suddenly really "cool" #PatinsIcam
A6: adapted grips, pencils and markers that make thicker darker lines for students with low vision to get more visual feedback, guide lines, tactile paper #PatinsIcam
A5: Speech to text for writing. While some argue that when using STT that Ss don't speak how they actually write...I ask: "What if they just can't handwrite how they really want to speak?" #PatinsIcam
A5: So of course I have to call on my fav, co:writer. Word prediction with Auditory feedback and dictionaries to get the incredible thoughts down! Also voice typing. I do this. A Lot. #PatinsIcam
A5: A UDL framework of choice and flexibility shouldn't ever necessitate just one way to respond, UNLESS what is being measured IS handwriting. In my case, 12 years of "needs work on handwriting," didn't have much impact on my life. #PatinsIcam
The note taking pen - I think the livescribe 2 does this. You write in a notebook and then you download it. You then flip your handwritten text and it becomes typed. #PatinsIcam
A8: Poor handwriting, IF AND ONLY IF, it is impeding the educational process, could/should be considered as a formal OT related service provision. Of course, OT's have great advice to offer to anyone wanting tips on handwriting though! #PatinsIcam
A8: Totally depends upon the student's needs. An OT could provide support beyond the classroom teacher in some scenarios. I had a student with hypotonia which affected his writing and grip, so I was happy to have the OT for strategies and support #PatinsIcam
Keyboarding should be taught in PreK, but so should speech to text. Just think of all the great thoughts we could get from Ss heads way before their fine muscles are formed enough to handwrite! #PatinsIcam
A8: If we just focus on the actual "poor handwriting" it often gets directed to the OT...but we can never lose sight of the big picture and possible why #PatinsIcam Too much caffeine turns my handwriting to scribbles.
Yes! In my pre session at ATIA someone had the newest one and there was a microwave thing...water thing...freezer thing. I feel like at the end of that I better have a dinner. HA #PatinsIcam
In reply to
@tjoshaughnessy, @jconradslp, @jlfahlbush, @danielgmcnulty
