Technology+Screening+Project

**1:45pm-2:45pm**
After going through a few added interview questions for Andrew Roberts, a 5th grade student in our Tech Club, (see his answers on my Child Case Study tab), I told him that I needed his help with my homework. At first he was shy but he quickly warmed up and stepped up to the challenge realizing that he is helping a college student with their project.


 * Materials I used to conduct screening:** (photos below)
 * Neon Highlighter Set
 * Note-Taking Paper
 * Colored, Lined Papers
 * Calculator
 * Math Grid
 * Several Types of Grip Pens
 * Pencil Grips
 * 2 Types of Erasers
 * Page Flags
 * Page Markers
 * Light Bulb

Pens, erasers, and pencils I used during the survey including 3 types of paper.

Highlighters, calculator, and page markers/Post Its.

Pencil grips.



1. I printed and administered the **Personal Choices Student Survey** (Onion Mountain Tech Personal Choices ). I made sure I **built rappor**t with student first before conducting the survey because it is important to make sure that the student is comfortable and calm before we attempt any type of assessment.

2. Using the Personal Choices Survey (Finding Low and Mid Tech Tools That Work For You), I began on page 3 to observe Andrews **Eye Movemen**t. While asking him RECALL questions, I noticed that his eye movement pattern where straight then down.

According to the Onion Mountain handout, Andrew is a Kinesthetic Learner. Kinesthetic learners use their hands or bodies to learn. Andrew will benefit from any hands-on activity. This is probably why he loves Science and the experiments he mentioned he enjoys doing. Any portable tool such as Alpha Smart, Palm Device, Hand-held spell checkers and calculators will also be helpful for him. In Writing/Drawing, he wil benefit from personal note-taking in all learning situations-lectures, reading textbooks, copying information, etc.
 * Interpretation and Recommendation:**

3. Next, I surveyed his **Color preference**. I asked him if he likes colored paper when reading, copying, or writing. He told me that he likes just the plain white background with black letters. This is the same when it comes to computer screens, he prefers dark letters with white or light background.

Andrew does not need any color filters to read, write, or copy.
 * Interpretation and Recommendation:**

4. Then I moved on to his **preference in Lighting.** I told him that the kind of light he uses for reading and writing can make a difference. I just asked him which kind of lighting he prefers. He said he likes the fluorescent/white bulbs, he does not like the colored light bulbs nor the sunlight for reading or writing. He says the sun is sometimes like a switch when it comes on too bright.

Andrew does not need any special lighting for his reading or writing.
 * Interpretation and Recommendation:**

5. We then moved on to **Highlighting.** I told Andrew that when reading or trying to mark important information, highlighters often work best. I told him the idea of highlighting is to make the information 'stand out.' I gave him 5 different color highlighters to test each one on a line of text. He used a green, blue, yellow, orange, then pink highlighter.

Andrew prefers the yellow highlighter. He was also fascinated with the liquid yellow highlighter I showed him because he can actually see how much ink is left on the pen. Andrew can also benefit from highlighter tapes for use when he can't mark up a book permanently like their textbooks.
 * Interpretation and Recommendation:**

6. Next, I surveyed his **Paper** preference. I showed him a college-ruled paper with margin, I also showed him a couple types of lined paper they use in elementary school.

Andrew prefers the college wide-ruled paper. He doesn't think that he needs the margin on the left but I told him that is used for putting the date or for jotting down any questions he might have.
 * Interpretation and Recommendation:**

7. We then moved on to his **Doing Math Computations.** I showed him a small calculator I owned and let him examine it. I then showed him a Math Grid Paper. Then I had him write number sets on different lines to see if he has difficulty with lining up his digits.

When and if allowed, Andrew prefers a medium-sized calculator. He will also benefit from a talking calculator so he can hear the numbers being said. He also does not need grid paper because he can line up his number pretty well.
 * Interpretation and Recommendation:**

8. After that, it was on to **Pens, Pencils, and Erasers.** I told Andrew that different pens and pencils will help him avoid fatigue when he is writing. I showed him pens and pencil with different grips. Some are soft and some have different designed grooves.

Andrew prefers long pens and pencils with no grip and with regular erasers on the end. He prefers black ink over blue or red.
 * Interpretation and Recommendation:**

9. **Using Books on Tape.** Andrew said that he has listened to books on tape in his younger elementary grades in their Listening Center.

Andrew can benefit from listening to books on tape. However, he needs to follow at look at the words in the book as it is being read. He says the books are read too fast at times so he needs them to be narrated at a slower pace. The stories in books also need not to be too long, otherwise, he will start daydreaming and he will get lost in the text.
 * Interpretation and Recommendation:**

10. **Music in the Background.** Andrew prefers no music in the background when he is studying.

11. **Marking the Place.** I told Andrew that finding information in a large book or in his notebook can be frustrating and time consuming. I showed him several types of tools to help him mark his place: page markers, page arrows, Post It Notes, and bookmarks.

Andrew prefers just the good old fashioned use of bookmarks to mark his place.
 * Interpretation and Recommendation:**

12. The last part of Andrew's survey is in regards to **Organizing.** He says that he keeps his papers and homeworks in different colored folders so he has no difficulty figuring out which paper goes where. He usually knows what time it is and what day it is so he's in time for his classes.

Andrew can benefit from a simple wristwatch so he can keep coming to school on time and go from one class to the next. He knows his schedule well so he doesn't need much reminding.
 * Interpretation and Recommendation:**

All in all, Andrew does not need any high tech tools in his 5th grade except for computers they already have in the classroom. I think his inability to focus and participate stems from his lack of interest in lessons and materials. Marty & I try to alleviate this by making sure the lessons we present are high-interest so they can keep their attention and focus on the lesson.