8 ResourcesApp WarehousesEvaluating Apps: The Good, the Bad, and the App-lyTechnology/Integration Review ToolsTwitter Chats and People to FollowVideo WarehousesWebsite WarehousesQuotes to Keep in Mind
10 Index
Thanks to the Educators
We would like to take a moment to thank all of the educators with whom we have worked and who have provided the bulk of the strategies, ideas, and resources for this book. From classroom teachers to tech coordinators to school administrators, this workbook is based on our conversations with them. In addition, our students provide us with ideas, energy, and enthusiasm every day of the week. And, of course, we would be remiss not to thank our own teachers along the way who were not afraid to get creative in the classroom.
Specifically, we would like to thank Tracy Arner of Riverside School District (CA), Andy Carpenter of Pizitz Middle School (AL), Kyle Kline of Twin Lakes High School (IN), and Sean McHugh of the United World College of Southeast Asia (Singapore). Tracy, Andy, Kyle, and Sean took time out of their busy schedules to review this text and add their own ideas, thoughts, and insights. Erin Null, thank you for your introduction to Corwin and your friendship. Finally, a huge thank you to Ariel Price for her help, guidance, and patience during this process. We teachers are always quite busy—and you handled us beautifully. Thank you.
Zachary, Kara, and Don
Publisher’s Acknowledgments
Corwin would like to thank the following reviewers for their editorial insight and guidance:
Susan Herder, Instructional Technology Coordinator
Mounds View Schools
Shoreview, MN
Troy Hicks, Associate Professor of English
Central Michigan University
Mt. Pleasant, MI
Alice Keeler, Teacher
California State University, Fresno
Fresno, CA
Anna Kwan, Teacher
Denver Public Schools
Denver, CO
Ernie Rambo, Educator
Walter Johnson Jr. High School
Las Vegas, NV
Sam Richardson, Principal
Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools
Savage, MN
Tina Roberts, English Teacher, Department Chair
Gresham Barlow School District
Gresham, OR
Rebecca Rupert, English Teacher
Monroe County Community School Corporation
Bloomington, IN
Kati Searcy, Teacher
Fulton County Schools
Atlanta, GA
Minjuan Wang, Professor
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA
About the Authors
Zachary Walkeris the founder of Last Backpack Generation and is currently a faculty member at the National Institute of Education in Singapore. Zachary is a special educator and technology consultant who teaches preservice teachers and provides professional development for districts, schools, and businesses. Zachary is a certified teacher who has taught at the primary, secondary, and university levels. His current research focuses on the impact of mobile technology on both students and teachers and practical strategies for teachers at all levels. He was one of five recipients of the 2012 Think College Emerging Scholar Award for his research on the use of technology to prepare students for postsecondary environments. Zachary has worked with educators in the United States, Asia, Europe, Central America, and the Caribbean. He also worked with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) International Bureau of Education (IBE) on issues related to inclusive educational policy.
Kara Rosenblattis an assistant professor at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Dr. Rosenblatt obtained her master’s degree in Special Education, Learning Disabilities, and Behavior Disorders in 2001 from Florida State University and her doctoral degree in Exceptional Education in 2009 from the University of Central Florida. In her current role, Dr. Rosenblatt teaches undergraduate and graduate level special education courses. In addition to her teaching experience in higher education, Dr. Rosenblatt has experience working within state agencies, collaborating with special education personnel and agencies to coordinate training and delivery of services focused on improving the use of assistive technology, accessible instructional materials, and virtual instruction and assessment. Dr. Rosenblatt’s research interests revolve around technology and learning, with a specific interest in the academic achievement and post high school outcomes of students with disabilities and the use of technology in teacher preparation and professional development. She has facilitated and evaluated professional development projects on the implementation of research-based strategies, parent–school collaboration, and the legal aspects of special education throughout Florida and Mississippi. She spent five years working with middle school students with behavioral and learning disabilities in Florida and Maryland.
Don McMahonis an assistant professor of Special Education Technology at Washington State University in Pullman, WA. Don received his doctorate in education from the Special Education PhD program at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. In addition to his doctoral work, Don attended the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Universal Design for Learning Summer Institute. His research involves increasing the use of universal design for learning principles in education, using mobile devices to increase achievement for students with disabilities, and exploring the impact of augmented reality as an assistive technology for students with disabilities. Don was a special education teacher for seven years and then became an instructional coach for general education and special education teachers. Don is a national presenter, providing professional development sessions for both general educators and special educators on using mobile devices in education. He has worked with diverse groups of children in a variety of ways, including as the director of an adventure-based summer camp, an outdoor educator and sailing instructor, a volunteer in Haiti, a technology instructor, and a teacher at an alternative school.
Introduction
Welcome!
Dear Colleague,
My own interest in using technology in the classroom began years