I periodically receive messages from teachers commenting on
how well their internship/teacher evaluations went when they used an Animated Step-by-Step (ASbyS) on an interactive whiteboard as part of their lesson. Given
the frequency with which this occurs, I
decided to devote some space to discussing why this might hold true.
Many schools have invested
in technology, so of course, they are thrilled to see their interactive
whiteboard technology being skillfully used with an ASbyS. ASbyS work
beautifully on an interactive whiteboard and are a wonderful vehicle for
allowing teachers to flaunt their ‘technology chops’ during their evaluation.
Because the ASbyS is logically planned, the teacher is free to devote his/her
creative energy toward conceptualizing the differentiated instruction that should
occur during the activity.
When using an ASbyS, there is a clear visual focus to your lesson. The many animations/sound effects embedded within an ASbyS help to
heighten engagement and keep students ‘on task’ and engaged. Engagement is further enhanced by
incorporating remote switch technology
that allows students to trigger animations regardless of their motor ability.
This eliminates the need to physically approach the interactive whiteboard, as
students can activate the animations/sound effects via a switch presented on a
board.(e.g., RJ Cooper Super Bluetooth Switch) Many classrooms have iPads so you can even incorporate the Attainment Switch App ($4.99), to use
your iPad as if it were a switch! 
There is also considerable flexibility in the manner in
which the lesson can be structured. For example, you many opt to read/animate each
page/step, then physically perform that step as you progress through the ASbyS.
In other classrooms you might conduct the ASbyS as a group lesson then encourage
pairs of students to rotate through a work station where they are guided
through the activity using the same ASbyS on an iPad. http://bit.ly/2iU2AWX
Being evaluated? Hope it goes well!
…’til the
next post … (new posts every Monday)
Follow me on
twitter www.twitter.com/@AnimStepbySteps
Email
me canadiangoosse@gmail.com
©2017 Carol
Goossens’, Ph.D.
Augmentative
Communication Consultant
Speech-Language
Pathologist
Special
Educator
