Once we figured out my student needed to add the idroo app to his computer, he was able to move letters and write using the touch pad. It works better with a bamboo pad. I am hoping with practice it will become easier for him to use. We are not using the writing feature a lot, but it helps him communicate his thinking another way besides verbally. Video |
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I might have solved my problems with IDroo. I locked down a blue square to create my own background. I wish I had figured this out before school was out. I am not sure I can teach how to access the new program virtually, but it would solve the need to write piece of my problem with google slide.
My next adventure is working with a student right here at home. We originally planned on working face to face, but life happens and summer tutoring is not going to be as easy as planned. We decided virtual tutoring might be a solution to the logistical problems we are encountering. As I pulled up my boards, I discovered IDroo is no longer connected to or a part of SKYPE. I tried making new boards, but have run into a few glitches. (I am learning a lot)
Thank you God for Bob VonHaden, He is in charge of IT at St. John the Baptist Catholic School. Bob has worked with both my student and I, using google hangouts, google slide and google draw. We are still working out some bugs. I still have not come up with a solution for the writing part of the lesson other than write on notebook paper and hold it up in front of the webcam. Any suggestions would be appreciated in the comments below. I have not given up completely on IDroo because it is my favorite platform for tutoring, but the new app does not have the ability for a blue background which is very important for my current student. My student and I have practiced in the classroom. We will see what happens June 19th when we actually try it out. I will keep you posted. My virtual tutoring adventure began with my nephew a couple of years ago. He needed help with reading and spelling. My sister and I, both teachers, started working on a solution. We discovered using SKYPE with the idroo app with a bamboo board was a great solution at that time. Idroo allowed me to create a letter tileboard (see below) that matched my Wilson Reading curriculum, while also providing whiteboard features. Ideally, Wilson is taught face to face, but we needed a solution that crossed the globe since they live in Texas and I live in Wisconsin. Face to face was obviously not an option. The tools were in place, but the child was not always. Working with an active child who is on the other side of the country adds all new challenges to classroom management. Eventually, we opted for the approach that my sister was sitting right beside him grading papers while we worked. This improved our situation greatly. It is amazing how just the presence of an adult in the room can make a difference sometimes. If anyone has other virtual classroom suggestions I would love to hear them.
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