It's a book... It's a computer? Wait... The Battle of the E-book readers

Everyone is talking about them.  Today, everywhere you go I'm sure you have seen someone with a Nook, a Kindle, an Ipad or some sort of E-book reader.


An E-book reader is a mobile electronic device that is designed for reading digital books and magazines. Basically, instead of lugging heavy books around in your backpack you can upload books and read them on this device.

For almost a year and a half I have had the Barnes & Noble E-book reader called the NOOK. All I can say is that I really think this is a great device, and I would highly recommend it for other students who have learning disabilities. On the NOOK, I really like how you can enlarge the text, bookmark specific pages, and you can even annotate/highlight pages for your notes or look words up in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary that NOOK provides for you for free.

I use the NOOK mostly for pleasure reading, but more frequently I have been using it in a lot of my college classes. A lot of the books that my professors select are available on the NOOK. So, rather than paying for a textbook that is $21 at your local college bookstore, on the NOOK I can get the textbook for about $6-$7. Yeah for saving money!!!! In addition, I also love that I can check out books for free on my NOOK from my local library back home.

One positive thing I have seen with all the latest E-book readers is that they are getting a lot more students particularly children with disabilities who struggle in the area of reading, learn to enjoy reading a book. Many of the books for children that you can buy for the E-book reader are colorful, have the character read the story to you (the child) and incorporate reading games. Unfortunately, these features are not available for YA and  adult novels. Hopefully, in the future they will be added to the E-book reader so that children particular teens with disabilities can enjoy reading as well.

The only negative comment that I have for this device is that it does not have a text-to-speech function. Sometimes, if there is a particular passage in a book that I can't process in my head, I like to have the option to read it allowed. I hope eventually NOOK will consider adding this function.

Below I have listed SOME of the popular E-book readers that are on the market today. Check them out and try one out for yourself.

The Kindle

The Nook (My Favorite!!!)

The Kobo

The Ipad


Happy Reading!

Standardized Testing... DAH-DUH-DUN-DUN!!!!!!!!!! DAH!!!!!!

SATS, ACTS, state mandated exams, UGH!!!! Whenever someone says the word TEST I cringe in fear. Being a student with a learning disability every time I had to take one of those pardon my french (damn standardized tests) that precious No Child Left Behind Act forces the schools to give, I never seemed to pass the majority of these tests like my non-disabled peers. However, over the years of school and test taking, I have come to  accept the fact that tests is something that I and all other human beings have to face frequently in our lives. In order to ease some of the pain of standardized test taking, over the years, I have learned some great test taking strategies from my family, mentors, and teachers.
Below I have listed some useful links that emphasize and explain more in depth about these test-taking strategies for students with learning disabilities. If you follow these tips, I can't guarantee you will be a great test taker, but, you will  be able to PASS a mandated standardized test. 

Multiple Choice Test Taking Strategies 

Essay Test Taking Strategies 

Parents Guide to Help LD Children With Studying For Tests 

Great link for Teachers, Advocates, Parents to Understand What Testing is Like For LD Students (THIS IS a PDF file!!!)

Facing The SAT- A Personal Story from an Individual With an LD
 



As one of my former teachers quite often said... "Best of Skills"!  Good luck in your test taking endeavors!

Have No Fear, Graphic Organizers Are Here!

To all of my readers,
I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your family and friends. I know I sure enjoyed going home to Chicago and spending quality time with my family and enjoying a delicious meal! Now.... back to blogging. Below is my latest post.

During the writing process do you ever experience a moment when you can't figure out what exactly to write down on the page?
    As a student with a learning disability, whenever I am assigned a writing assignments I tend to experience this form of what many people would call writer's block.  Most people who do not have disabilities experience writer's block for a certain period of time and then overtime disappears. However for students who have learning disabilities, when we approach a writing assignment our writer's block never seems to disappear for each assignment. This is because our brain can't process quickly enough to allow us to think and write at the same time.

So, What Is The Solution? 

 As a student with an LD,  whenever I approach a writing assignment one of the best solutions that I use is a graphic organizer. Right before I even write a paper, a graphic organize helps me plan out all of my ideas so eventually they will become specific topics that are organized into topics and paragraphs. The great thing about graphic organizers is  that there are so many versions and vairiety of models that you can use to help you  in the writing process.

Below I have listed some websites to some great graphic organizers that can help students with LD succeed in writing. Don't be afraid to give one of them a try!

The Venn Diagram Organizer

The Sequence of Events Organizer

The Five Pararaph Essay Outline

The Concept Map (My Personal Favorite!)

The Time Line Graphic Organizer


Happy Writing!

Let's Get Away From It All !!

As Thanksgiving holiday approaches that means.... the first semester of school is about to end soon. In my opinion this can  be a good and bad thing. It's good because you only have to survive a few more weeks of the classes that can be the most challenging for you. However, this can also be a bad thing, because now,  teachers are piling up work for students to complete before the semester is over. These past couple of weeks I have been receiving a lot of essays, exams, quizzes from all of my professors here at MSU. However, as a student with an LD with all of this pressure to get work done especially to complete tasks in my weakest subjects of Math and Science has left me feeling stressed out and having a lot of pressure and tension.

Want to know my secret of how I get rid of all of this stress?

I take breaks!!!! I like to call them study breaks. These breaks are about 30 to 60 min. and they occur periodically after I have been working for about an hour to an hour a half on assignments. Below I have listed my top ten study break ideas. I encourage LD students to try some of these out and see how they work. Once you find a study break  that works for you, stick with it and use it frequently. You will be much happier and a hopefully somewhat stress free.

Cheryl's Top Ten Study Breaks


1. Watch ONE episode of your favorite TV series on HULU. I emphasize ONE, because some people may have the tendency to watch more than one episode. ONE episode gives you a nice 30-40min. break for your brain to clear.

2. Find a favorite music video, comedy sketch, funny video etc. on YOUTUBE. Again, only watch ONE video and then back to work!


3. Phone, skype, or facebook chat with a friend or family member. Make sure you set a timer or alarm for 30 or 40 min. so it will go off and remind you to get back to work!

4. EXCERCISE!!!! find a group exercise class like Zumba or Yoga or develop your own strength or cardio workout

5. Power nap! Take a 30-40min. nap in the middle of the day if you are really tired. This is especially useful for college students who have several classes in one day. This power nap, gives your brain a break and helps your body refresh. Make sure you set a timer or alarm for 30-40 min. so you can wake up!

6. Clean/organize your room. I know this sounds a  bit boring, but getting up and moving around can actually help the brain reorganize thoughts and make you feel more awake.

7. Make yourself a nice cup of hot coffee, tea, or hot coco and reflect on the day.

8. Have a healthy snack like trail mix, some fruit or veggies. It will energize your body.

9.  Read a favorite magazine. One of my favorite's is People magazine where you can find all of the latest celebrity gossip.

10. Take a nice warm bath or shower. It helps your body relax and the steam helps relieve any of the tension in your body particularly if you have a bad headache.

Well, that's all for now. Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, my next post will probably not be until next Sunday or Monday.

Have a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving holiday!!!

So long for now,
Cheryl

Just A Post-It A Day Helps The Tasks Get Done... In A Most Delightful Way

I have a paper due on Tuesday, a test on Wednesday, call my parents to check in, do laundry on Friday, study for a math exam on Friday, call the doctor to get an allergy shot, check your email, clean your room,....

Overwhelmed yet?

The schedule you just read above is what my schedule looks like on a daily basis. Now, you are probably asking how does this girl with an LD remember all of these appointments on a daily basis. Wanna know my secret? The key is post-it notes. Everyday I carry around a package of post-it notes and whenever a task comes to my mind that I have to get done, I write it down. This becomes my to-do list. As a student with an LD, it is very hard for me to keep organize, because my brain just doesn't process a lot of information fast enough. With post-its they help me remember all the tasks I have to do. If you are a student with an LD I highly recommend getting yourself a stack of post-it notes and trying this technique. Below I have listed the website for the company who makes post-its. You can get them pretty much at any store. It doesn't have to be from the website.

Stay focused and when ever a task comes to mind, Post-it!!!

Post-it notes

"Help! I Need Somebody... Not Just Anybody! HELLLP!

Ever parked your car in a parking lot and forget where you parked it? Have you ever driven a car to a new destination that you have never been before and even with the help of Google maps or mapquest  you arrive several minutes late to the location you have to get to or you end up in a dead end or sketchy neighborhood? Are you a person who has a hard time visualizing directions?

I'm sure many of you have experienced one of these situations. For students with LD, like myself, being able to follow directions step by step is very hard, because unlike other human beings who are non-LD our brains tend to process information a bit slower.

However, with new technology like GPS navigational system, it helps guide you to a new destination while you are driving in a car. The neat thing about this piece of technology is that it is a voice prompted device that gives you turn by turn directions so you as the driver can focus on the road.  In addition, this tool provides a visual image (map) of your current location. After having a GPS for a few years I would highly recommend it to students with LD especially those who are just learning how to drive a car. This tool helps a student with an LD develop their sense of direction when driving a car by using visual and auditory components all contained in one piece of technology.

 One company that I feel makes a very good quality GPS navigational system is Garmin. Below I have provided a YOUTUBE clip that is linked to their website.  CHECK IT OUT!

Give The Gift of Garmin- Never Be Lost Again

Safe Travels!

What Do I Need A Planner For Anyway? Part 2

I forgot to put this in the last post.... but here is a great link that teachers, students and advocates can use with a student who has an LD to help explain and discuss why planners are important. This is an article that I found from a website that my college Michigan State University created for first year students.


Peace & Happy Organizing!!!!

Michigan State University article: "Using A Planner"

What Do I Need A Planner For Anyway?

 One of the best tips of advice that I could give to all students especially to students with LD is GET A PLANNER! NOT an electronic one but a physical assignment book in which you can write down important exams, tests, quizzes, social events etc. As human beings we all have very busy lives. For students like myself who have a specific learning disability organization has always been one of my weaknesses. At times, it can be quite difficult to remember when all of my class work is due and social events are if I do not physically write out all the assignments I have to get done. (Sidenote: Most students with LD experience this, because their brain can not process all of the information fast enough. They need a visual guide!!!!) This is where a written planner comes in handy. Ever year before school starts I always make sure I make that one trip to the school bookstore and buy myself a a big planner that has a lot of space for me to write all of my school assignments and social events. This provides me a very nice visual of what my schedule will look like each week.

Below, I have provided a link to one of my favorite planners that I use each school year. This planner is beneficial for students who have large handwriting, (like myself) and need a lot of space on a page.  Also,  It's the perfect size that you can carry around when you are out and about.

Enjoy & Happy Organizing!

Cheryl's Favorite Planner

2,4,6,8... Let's Advocate... A-D-V-O-C-A-T-E What's does that spell? ADVOCATE !!!!!!!

One of the most important things in my life that I have learned as a student with LD  is you have got to learn to advocate for yourself. Being a student with an LD not every situation is going to be a simple task to complete.  This particularly applies in schoolwork, a main area that can be stressful and challenging for LD Students like myself. There are going to be times in which you are going to have to speak up to someone and say, "Hey I don't understand this" or "Hey, I need more time for this assignment."Many of my teachers have a lot of students to keep track with or without disabilities, and they don't have a lot of time in their schedules to meet with every student on a weekly basis. From personal experience most of my teachers, college professors, TA's etc.  are very understanding of my learning disability and are willing to provide the necessary accommodations that I need to get my assignments completed and done well. However, the only way they know that I am not being so called "LAZY" and need help is I SPEAK UP!!!! If you are a student with an LD that needs help do your part and  ADVOCATE!!!!!! It's the only way you know for sure you are going to get the help you need.


The following link that I have posted is a guide that lists self advocacy tips for students with LD.  Teachers, parents, and mentors feel free to read this as well and pass it on to any LD student you know who needs assistance with self advocacy.

 Self Advocacy: Know Yourself, Know What You Need, Know How To Get It

That's all for now.

 Remember, don't forget to A-D-V-O-C-A-T-E!!!!! ADVOCATE, ADVOCATE, ADVOCATE

Peace,
Cheryl

Say What? Can You Repeat That Again? What Did You Just Say?

Have you ever experienced this scenario?
Imagine you are sitting in class, let's say in a big lecture hall and the professor just keeps blabbing on and on to the entire class about a particular topic you just read in your textbook for homework. There are no visuals whatsoever on the screen. The professor just keeps on talking. Unfortunately, as hard as you try, you can't seem to get all of the notes down, but the professor doesn't care. He just keeps on going. Later, when you go back to your room to review all of the notes you have written down, you realize that you missed a lot of the major concepts that were mentioned in your textbook. Unfortunately, the professor does not have any power points that he posts online. Now, your stuck. How are you going to get all of the information so you can study for that major exam that comes up in a few weeks?

If this scenario above happens to you quite frequently you should get a smartpen.  This is an amazing technology especially for students with LD. I use it for all of my classes to make sure I heard the notes correctly in class 
CHECK IT OUT!
The Livescribe Smartpen
Amazon link
Best Buy link


*By the way the Livescribe pen is available online through Amazon or Best Buy.