[nobe-l] teaching techniques questions

[Fredrick Hardyway]

Hello Craig,
I am on my second semester as a TA at Washington State University, and while
I am working with college students, I have experienced a few of the things
you are talking about.  
As far as handwritten papers, I had a Professor I worked with last semester
who required written exams.  Luckily I was able to have my wife read the
majority of them to me.
I also utilized from time to time a CCTV.  I do not know the level of your
vision however, so I do not know if this would work for you.  Also, if you
do have some vision, and a smart phone, I have an Android, there are apps
which will magnify similar to, if not better than a CCtv.
Creatively, you may want to have the students come up to you and read what
they write and turn it into a class discussion.
As too your second question, yes I utilize a screen reading software, NVDA,
which is free and allows you to create a thumb drive version to take with
you.  When I am lecturing, or giving presentations, I just put in the thumb
drive and turn any computer into a "talking accessible" computer.  With
PowerPoints, the screen reader will report the page to you, and unlike JAWS,
the NVDA can be set to read items and characters under the mouse!
Ultimately, I have not found the need to be high-tech to teach, which is
nice.  Many laptops, PacMates, and other devices have a built in Bluetooth,
which is what many Whiteboards and projector units are utilizing in
classrooms today, you should have no problem interfacing with these devices
with your own technology.
I hope this helps, and I would enjoy more dialogue with you.
Fred

-----Original Message-----
From: nobe-l [mailto:nobe-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Craig Cooper
Sent: Tuesday, February 04, 2014 4:25 PM
To: nobe-l at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nobe-l] teaching techniques questions

Greetings,
My name is Craig Cooper.  I am a member of the NFB of Oregon, and am
enrolled in a Master of Arts in Teaching program.  After volunteering
in public school classrooms for a couple of weeks, I have a few
questions.
1.  Students usually begin class by writing answers to a "warm up,"
which they write by hand.  I do not see well enough to read these
assignments.  Please share your ideas for evaluating and grading such
papers.
2.  Next year, I will begin student teaching.  Given the fast pace of
changing technology, and the challenges of keeping up with accessing
new software, what do you believe are the most important tools,
devices, and/or technologies to learn, to teach sighted kids, in a
middle or high school classroom?
I am excited about the opportunity to teach, but I want to be able to
anser the principal's questions, as to how I will perform various
tasks.
Thank you so much for any and all ideas.
Sincerely,
Craig Cooper

_______________________________________________
nobe-l mailing list
nobe-l at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nobe-l_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
nobe-l:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nobe-l_nfbnet.org/fredhardyway%40live.com