Wednesday, 6 November 2019
Monday, 30 September 2019
Wednesday, 25 September 2019
Tuesday, 3 September 2019
First Night of the Year
It's September 3, 2019 and it is the first night in residence. Tonight is the first time many of the boys have spent the night away from home without a family member. We kept everyone busy after parents left. The boys got to know us (Tiffany, Mark and Stephanie) as well as started to get to know there peers. After dinner everyone went outside to socialize with the other students from Sagonaska. The boys played on the play structure, played basketball, played in the sand and on the swings. All the boys seemed to be having some fun. After playing outside for a while everyone came inside to shower, make phone calls and have a snack (ice cream with sprinkles and chocolate chips) before settling in for the night. There were a few teary phone calls home and all the boys were told that someone would be here for them all night and if they needed something to let us know.
Tomorrow the boys begin their journey and we will be here to help them succeed
Mark, Tiffany and Stephanie
Sagonaska Jr. Boys
Friday, 10 May 2019
Using OCR Technology
For students who struggle with reading, there are many ways for them to access the information they need using technology.
A common issue for students with learning disabilities is load capacity, a cap on the cognitive energy that students use to sustain their attention when learning. With accessibility features such as text-to-speech, students are able to access the information they need without draining their load capacity. For students at Sagonaska, tools like Google Read & Write are used every day as a compensatory strategy alongside their remedial reading programs that teach them reading strategies.
What is Optical Recognition Technology?
Optical character recognition technology allows a reader to take a picture of the text (i.e. page(s) of a novel) they wish to read, and for it to transfer into an editable text. Readers can then use the accessibility features on their device to read it to them.
Students can go a step further when listening to the text-to-speech as they could use the 'look up' tool for any words they are unsure of. The student will have access to an editable form of the original text as well, which can lead to many more writing opportunities too.
Independence using OCR
Developing student independence with OCR technology takes time. Since OCR happens in many platforms and devices, show students how to use OCR using their preferred device is necessary, and possible now. Decide which way works best for them. Allow them time to experiment. Practice within lessons.
Here are 4 ways to use OCR:
A common issue for students with learning disabilities is load capacity, a cap on the cognitive energy that students use to sustain their attention when learning. With accessibility features such as text-to-speech, students are able to access the information they need without draining their load capacity. For students at Sagonaska, tools like Google Read & Write are used every day as a compensatory strategy alongside their remedial reading programs that teach them reading strategies.
Optical character recognition technology allows a reader to take a picture of the text (i.e. page(s) of a novel) they wish to read, and for it to transfer into an editable text. Readers can then use the accessibility features on their device to read it to them.
Students can go a step further when listening to the text-to-speech as they could use the 'look up' tool for any words they are unsure of. The student will have access to an editable form of the original text as well, which can lead to many more writing opportunities too.
Independence using OCR
Developing student independence with OCR technology takes time. Since OCR happens in many platforms and devices, show students how to use OCR using their preferred device is necessary, and possible now. Decide which way works best for them. Allow them time to experiment. Practice within lessons.
Here are 4 ways to use OCR:
[Google Drive]
[Google Keep]
[Office Lens]
[Seeing AI]
Just another addition to our students' toolbox!
Sag Swag Orders Due Monday
Just a reminder that the last chance to order Sag Swag (Sagonaska Spirit Wear) is on Monday (May 10th).
Forms have been sent home with students.
Forms have been sent home with students.
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