Give examples of no-tech, low-tech, and high-tech solutions for special students.
Special education teachers have a full plate in their profession of providing creative solutions for their students, be it no tech or high tech. The greatest barrier I see is just the shear investigative time they have to spend just to find ideas that will benefit their student. I am currently taking another class called Accomodating Diverse Populations. I have been shown some incredible ideas of how to use technology to assist a student. My favorite is the use of an Ipod to teach deaf students and their families sign language in additions to being able to have stories that are "read" to the students on the ipod that they can carry home. This idea was presented to us by video of a teacher who is doing this. The amount of time and planning she put into this project is outstanding as are the results. The fact that she teaches deaf students means she can use these same resources for them all, and that one preparation can be used multiple times. The challenge for a special education teacher who has multiple different students with multiple needs would make this difficult.
My favorite example of a low tech technology solution that started out for the blind student only is books on tape. I distinctly remember an episode of Seinfeld where George was posing as a visually challenged individual so that the books on tape would be available to him. Controversial then, but I know the pleasure of being able to do what needs to be done and being able to listen to a great story at the same time. Obviously I get a different benefit than a blind person would as I have a choice about this - but it is awesome that by more people demanding this technology that it makes it more accessible for all.
For the mid-tech idea, I like the ease of allowing a student with dysgraphia to use a keyboard (computer/alphasmart) to complete lessons. This is such a beautiful, non attention getting solutions that allows students to blend so much more easily with their classmates and remain in the regular classroom as much as possible.
My favorite high tech use of technology would have to be some of the incredible robotics use for amputees. While this may not seem to fall into the educational technology realm, I believe it does. Any technology used that enables a learner to more fully participate in a lesson is a benefit. A student with a prosthesis may need no other modification to not only learn, but physically participate.
I agree with Molly on many of her points on issues related to training special education teachers to use technology in the classrooms. Special education teachers right off the bat already have a full plate to deal with as Molly mentioned in her post. That doesn’t mean its okay to use that as an excuse to not find the time to learn how to incorporate technology into the classrooms. So special education teachers/instructors need that extra drive or energy in order to find the time to learn how to use the technology properly and to finds ways to incorporate the technology into their classrooms.
ReplyDeleteMolly, you are right about the purpose of technology with regards to special ed students being to support the student in participating in the activity. Allowing a student the mobility to complete the tasks is the same as allowing them the educational tools to allow them to complete the task.
ReplyDeleteAs Molly and Paul have both pointed out the technology used one year may be just as applicable to the next year. A teacher should make a point to spend a great deal of effort preparing for their students. In addition, teachers who have faced similar cases should share ideas for how to find solutions to educational road blocks.