Blog Assignment #3

Technology in Special Education

Lacey Cook, a Special Education teacher gives a short, yet effective demonstration about Technology in Special Education in her classroom.  Her students are able to utilize various technology gadgets such as laptops, iPods, Powerpoint Presentations and other tools to assist them in their various specialized learning processes. Being in a Special Ed classroom, she has students who have a variety of disabilities which effect their learning.  They all learn in different ways and at different rates.  These students already face many challenges in their day to day lives which are greater than the majority of other students in their schools.  With the use of technology her students have new abilities that were once out of their reach. Now they can operate more proficiently as one whole classroom unit and reach their learning potential at a rate which, for some, is twice as fast.

The first student previewed used to have to go out into the hallway by himself to read his books out-loud. Now, with the use of the iPod and a set of ear buds, he is able to listen to audio while following along in his book. The best part is that he is still surrounded by his fellow classmates.  Not only is this an important part to his learning, but now he is not singled out. This must have a tremendous effect on his self-esteem and overall give him a more positive experience at school.  The next few consecutive students are autistic and through the use of their laptops are able to participate in the class unlike before.  Laptops have made is possible for some of her students to improve their writing skills and have increased their abilities to turn in their classwork on time. Overall, the level of student participation and engagement has increased due to the use of technology and will assist the students in reaching their overall academic achievements. 

IPad in Special Education

Dexteria is an app that I found was designed in coordination with occupational therapist For the affordable price of $4.99 on ITunes, this app can help improve fine motor skills, as well as, handwriting readiness.  It can be used in adults and children alike and is also easy to use.  In the program there are three main subcategories which focus on a variety of skills. The first program uses the "tap it" feature and aids in finger and hand movement.  The second program also aids in finger and hand movement, but requires it user to "pinch it".  This would be beneficial to those students who have a difficult time manipulating their pens and pencils.  The third program helps aid in advanced hand movements and requires its user to trace the letters of the alphabet.  One thing that I find to be helpful is that the teacher or parent can look at their child's progress and see what areas need improvement and see which areas that goals are being achieved. Here is a video I found where you can see a demonstration of this app. 

Gary Hayes Social Media Count

For those of you who are not yet sure about incorporating technology in your classroom, please check this out courtesy of Gary Hayes. After seeing the media counter change dramatically in just 10 seconds, I found myself to begin to think about how important it will be for me as a future educator to incorporate technology in my curriculum.  Today alone, I personally sent a total of 15 emails, 2 Tweets, and shared numerous videos via YouTube. What about you?

A Vision of Students Today
Michael Wesch, an associate professor at Kansas State University, gives his students a chance to express real details of what being a student of today is like in his YouTube video, "A Vision of Students Today". He asks only one question on his final exam, Why are you here? Simple at first, but then once you sit and think about it where will your mind take you?  His vision in the video takes you into a university lecture hall with over 100 empty desks. At the front there is the indistinguishable chalkboard. As a student, when I see a chalkboard, my mind begins to wander to find something more interesting. That's just it...are lecture halls engaging us college students to think beyond the ordinary and never changing chalkboard? It is a deep black hole that begins the day dreaming process. We want to be engaged! We want to be able to relate! We want to actually walk out of a lecture hall and feel excited about coming back to class.

We, the students of today, are not the ones of 1970 and before.  Heck, students of today are not even the students of 2005. "Times are a changing" as my grandfather would say. Even he, a 78 year old man, has a smartphone, a Kindle, and a laptop.  Future teachers do not have an easy job. We have to find new ways to interact and engage with our students and embrace technology. I do not want to be known as a number, but an original person with original thoughts.  I want to leave my university and feel that I have the tools I need to go out and inspire my own students so that they may continue the process of inspiring those in their lives.