Titan Pad

This week we learned how to use a few different kinds of Web 2.0 programs that would be helpful for teaching. I actually also learned what Web 2.0 programs were - programs that facilitate interaction! I did not know that programs like Facebook and G-talk both therefore qualified as Web 2.0 programs. Overall I agree that these programs that can facilitate interaction are so important for classrooms, so that teachers can communicate and share ideas among themselves, and more importantly so we can make our curriculum accessible to all of our learners.

One of the new Web 2.0 programs we were introduced to, that really stuck with me was the Titan Pad. I see this both as an instructional and adaptational technology. It is instructional because a teacher can use this to disperse ideas to her class, in an easy manner. It can be the medium of the lesson. It can also qualify as an adaptational technology because some students can use titan pad to facilitate their learning, while others do not.

I think overall, it was a fun and interactive program. It allows all participants to communicate simultaneously, and the document continues to change as the participants are sharing. At times, because every participant's comments appears in a different color, and the font is constantly flashing when someone adds, it can be a bit overwhelming and overstimulating for some learners. Some of my students who have been diagnosed with ASD, might find this program to be too much sensory input. However, other students who may have trouble focusing or attention deficits, may find this program entertaining and captivating.

With respect to the student learning profiles, I think Titan Pad would work best for students like Michael, or Finn. For a student like Michael who has Aspergers and SPLD, this program would work well because he is a strong visual learner and is very enthusiastic to learn and excel in class. Therefore when presented with Titan Pad, I feel like he would be motivated to try something new and try his best in order to excel. Additionally, he can ask as many questions as he wants, at once, while the rest of the class does the same. Titan Pad would then essentially let him express himself freely and perhaps he would encounter less teasing by the other students because the entire class would be writing as much as they want.

For a student like Finn, with an auditory processing disorder, this program could work excellently. Finn would not have to worry about mishearing the teacher or listening to directions, he could simply visually take in the information presented. Perhaps he would function faster and complete tasks with more efficiency. It seems like the reason guiding questions and group work are challenging for Finn is because he has to listen for instructions and understand it. But what if he just read the information presented, like in Titan Pad?

Titan Pad is a great technology for the classroom. I think it would be even better if it could be voice activated! If students like Sarah, with Ataxic CP, could speak into Titan Pad and have her thoughts transcribed, she too could benefit!

Is there a technology that anyone knows of, that is exactly like Titan Pad and is voice activated? How would this technology function without distracting other students in the class who do not need this piece of technology, but also need to direct their attention to the conversation?