Technology in Special Education
Technology, technology, technology! Everywhere we look, technology is changing our world. Let us consider our ability to communicate or stay in touch with friends. In our recent history, a telephone line had to be shared with neighbors. Then we reached the day where pretty much everyone had their own personal phone line, but one had to be at home to call up a friend. Progress brought us the old "car phones" that had to be plugged in to your automobile. Cellular phones came next, and it seemed that we had reached the pinnacle of "connectedness" because we could reach out to our friends and loved ones from anywhere. Finally, we advanced to "smart phones," which have enabled us to call, email, or text any time we like plus have the ability to surf the internet. Wow! That is a lot of change in capability in a relatively short time. The effect of technology on our lives is, indeed, incredible. Very few would argue against this point. However, the improvements or advancements in technology have had greater effect on no one more so than people with special needs.
Before the days of technology, many people with special needs were, in a sense, trapped within their own bodies. Imagine having thoughts and opinions and wants and needs trapped in your mind because there is no avenue to express them. Imagine having no way to say, "I need water" or "I need the restroom." Imagine having no way to respond when asked a question. This was the life of many grown adults before technology. With assistive technology and communication devices, the lives of people who are physically and/or congnitively limited have not merely been improved, but a whole new world has been opened up to them. I would imagine that the ability to communicate, either through speech or written text, has to feel like a rebirth or an ability to finally join the living. Words can not express the impact that technology has on these special souls.
In the short video, Technology in Special Education, Lacy Cook contrasts the educational lives of her students before and after the introduction of technology. It is especially interesting to see the students, themselves, comment on how technology helps them. I would encourage a quick viewing of this video for all!
Education Apps
The use of new technologies, such as the iPad, affords teachers and students a wide range of educational options. At Apple.Education.Apps, I found several noteworthy applications that can be used for children with special needs, as well as children in the regular classroom setting. The "Read Me Stories - Childrens' Books" app would be enjoyable for all students because children love to have books read to them. However, for special needs students, this tool would be invaluable for repeated reading practice. The auditory stimuli would reinforce the child's knowledge and serve as a corrective measure for words with which the child may be struggling. This tool could aid a struggling reader's ability to do book reports and other presentations to the class. More importantly, finding some pleasure (rather than constant adversity and disappointment) during reading time would hopefully encourage the child to keep working toward the goal of becoming a reader, rather than giving up in defeat.
Another great app is "TapToTalk Education." This application allows nonverbal students to communicate with the teacher, aide, and other classmates. The student has a group of response options from which to choose, and these options can be personalized. The big bonus to using this application is that it is a lot more affordable than other AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) devices. The benefits of being able to communicate more effectively within the classroom are obvious. However, one may not consider how this tool could also be beneficial socially to a child. With a little personalization of the response options, a child could use this tool to engage in "talk" time with a classmate. What a lifechanger!
Gary's Social Media Count
Gary Phayes' social media count exposes how active and dynamic the growth of social media and the mobile industry is in today's world. The numbers are staggering. Our generation is living in a time of ultimate accessibility. This poses both incredible opportunities, as well as great challenges for today's teachers.
It seems to me that the greatest challenge for today's teachers is the ability to simply keep up with the exponential growth of new technology. Computer programs and applications are constantly evolving. One of my peers, Kabrina Harris, stated in her blog (Kabrina Harris' Blog) that she thinks teachers should be required to take annual courses on the use of technology. I am not sure how this could be funded, but I think it is a GREAT idea! At the very least, a teacher has to be willing to explore and try to learn on her own because it is almost a given that her students will be more knowledgeable about the world of technology than she is.
Given ample access to technology, today's students can be a part of the ultimate learning and sharing environment. Classes have the ability to research any topic on earth. No longer are they limited by the books sitting on the school library shelves. This accessibility comes with both benefits and challenges since the students may encounter material deemed inappropriate by educators and parents. I would hope that school systems have procedures or software programs in place to limit this unfortunate "negative" side of technology use. Today's teachers will need to be vigilant in creating a safe technology experience for all her students.
In addition to having access to unlimited resources through technology, today's students also have a tremendous opportunity to share their research, new knowledge, and product with others. Blogs, podcasts, youtube, and the like provide ample opportunity to interface with and receive feedback from people outside a student's normal reach. With more and more students, teachers, and schools engaging in new technology use, students gain more ability to communicate and collaborate with students in every corner of the world - literally! Today's teachers need to reach out and make appropriate connections for her class in order to experience all that technology has to offer.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Blog Post #2
Did You Know? 
Did You Know? 3.0 - A John Strange 2012 Version and Did You Know 3.0 provide staggering facts about the growth of information technology in our world. When one considers the pace, it is almost overwhelming. The videos point out that in 1984 there were 1,000 internet devices, but that number exploded to 1,000,000,000 by 2008. Another fact hard to imagine is that there are 1,393,519 internet searches per minute. Additionally, technology affects every aspect of our lives including career, home and personal. More and more daily life functions are able to be handled from home with an internet connection. One can research any topic, get medical advice, pay bills, and even meet new people for recreational purposes. Yes, we are living in a day of technology that absolutely requires one to readjust our thinking and readjust our lives.
The videos pose an important question for those interested in the teaching field, "Are You Ready to Be An Educator?" Considering the fact that most of the jobs our students will be competing for are not even in existence yet, we had better get ready! No longer can we simply teach facts and dates. Our children need to learn how to research and learn and grow. They need to learn how to adapt to change. They need to learn how to take chances without fear of failure. I am not advocating that we throw out instruction in the three R's. Of course, our children need to be avid readers and capable writers. However, we can not wait too long before we turn to the job of enabling them to become learners in their own rite. Just as we know "teaching the test" is not a good practice, "teaching the job" is not even possible! I hope I am up to this challenge. I certainly want to be.
Mr. Winkle Wakes
Mr. Winkle Wakes by Mathew Needleman is a sad commentary on the failure of our schools to keep up with the changes taking place in our world. In the video, Mr. Winkle awakes from a 100 year slumber to find a completely unfamiliar world. The business world has changed with the use of computers, fax machines, teleconferencing, etc. Alarmed, our cartoon friend goes to the hospital to make himself feel better, but he is extremely disappointed to find change at the hospital with all kinds of new technology. Mr. Winkle is uncomfortable and confused. He is unsure and insecure in this new world. Finally, Mr. Winkle finds a place of solace - the school - unchanged and very familiar.
Unfortunately, Needleman's commentary is right on the mark. I agree that our schools suffer woefully with an outdated format. The average classroom is barren of technology. Even if the classroom does have a couple of computers, the amount of time a student could possibly access it is minimal. Furthermore, the average teacher is extremely ill-equipped to engage the students in the world of technology. However, with the funding crises faced by most school systems, I do not see an end to this problem. When eventually forced out into the real world, our children will feel just like Mr. Winkle, scared and confused. We must make the necessary changes now to ensure that this does not happen.
Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity
Wow! The Importance of Creativity by Sir Ken Robinson is one of the most inspiring talks I have ever heard for today's teachers. Robinson brings to light the idea that our schools actually educate our children out of their creativity. He asserts that school systems around the world are based on being "right." Understandably, our children begin to fear being wrong. Instead of taking chances with their creativity, they conform to the system. Our current educational systems were initiated to produce workers for industrializing countries. They were designed for workers who would live in a world and perform jobs of predictability and repetition. In today's unpredictable, ever changing world, this system of education is unacceptable. We need to encourage and capitalize on our children's innovation.
I agree wholeheartedly with Robinson's assessment of our current mode of education. Almost everything in our schools is geared toward getting the right answers. We are very test-oriented from first grade throughout postsecondary education (except for Dr. Strange's EDM310!!!). Also, our children enjoy only a minimal amount of arts education. Although I have some ideas about how to foster creativity in my own classroom, I fear that these ideas could be quelled by pressures from parents, administrators, and politicians. It seems that everyone is striving to meet that next high grade or score, which puts a lot of pressure on the teacher to make sure her students can compete well on these standardized tests. Robinson stated in his speech, "Creativity is as important as literacy." He proposes, and I agree, that they should be treated with the same status. I would really enjoy seeing more information about how to balance these two competing interests.
A Vision for 21st Century Learning
A Vision for 21st Century Learning does an excellent job of contrasting our world with our schools. The authors describe our world as being saturated with digital technology, constant networking, instant gratification and global connectedness. Today's youth experience drastically different stimuli than past generations, including my own generation. Even toddlers enjoy gaming systems, computers, ipods and technologies of all kinds. Modern technology has, without a doubt, pervaded the lives of most students in our nation.
On the other hand, these tech-exposed children enter our school systems which are outdated for today's world. They receive instruction that is mostly passive. Lectures, fact memorization and textbook reading can not and will not prepare them for a future in this fast-paced world of technology. Rather, our educational system needs to rewrite itself. We need to prepare our teachers to be facilitators of learning and experimentation. We need to empower our students to explore and create. I believe this change would be a worthy transformation, but I fear I will never see it.
Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts
Vicki Davis, an IT teacher in rural, south Georgia, brings her students face-to-face with the world through her innovative use of technology. In Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts she shares her belief that "every student can learn, but only certain types of students are going to succeed with only pen and paper." She also proposes the idea that a teacher does not have to know everything before she can teach it. She allows the student to take the initiative or lead the way in many situations. She refers to this scenario as "turning school upside-down."
Ms. Davis is obviously making an impact on her students' lives. No doubt, they will leave her classroom well on their way to being productive in today's technology saturated world. She is leaving her mark on the world of education, as well, through her blog and lectures. This video is a phenomenal example of what is possible in today's classroom.
The videos pose an important question for those interested in the teaching field, "Are You Ready to Be An Educator?" Considering the fact that most of the jobs our students will be competing for are not even in existence yet, we had better get ready! No longer can we simply teach facts and dates. Our children need to learn how to research and learn and grow. They need to learn how to adapt to change. They need to learn how to take chances without fear of failure. I am not advocating that we throw out instruction in the three R's. Of course, our children need to be avid readers and capable writers. However, we can not wait too long before we turn to the job of enabling them to become learners in their own rite. Just as we know "teaching the test" is not a good practice, "teaching the job" is not even possible! I hope I am up to this challenge. I certainly want to be.
Mr. Winkle Wakes
Mr. Winkle Wakes by Mathew Needleman is a sad commentary on the failure of our schools to keep up with the changes taking place in our world. In the video, Mr. Winkle awakes from a 100 year slumber to find a completely unfamiliar world. The business world has changed with the use of computers, fax machines, teleconferencing, etc. Alarmed, our cartoon friend goes to the hospital to make himself feel better, but he is extremely disappointed to find change at the hospital with all kinds of new technology. Mr. Winkle is uncomfortable and confused. He is unsure and insecure in this new world. Finally, Mr. Winkle finds a place of solace - the school - unchanged and very familiar.
Unfortunately, Needleman's commentary is right on the mark. I agree that our schools suffer woefully with an outdated format. The average classroom is barren of technology. Even if the classroom does have a couple of computers, the amount of time a student could possibly access it is minimal. Furthermore, the average teacher is extremely ill-equipped to engage the students in the world of technology. However, with the funding crises faced by most school systems, I do not see an end to this problem. When eventually forced out into the real world, our children will feel just like Mr. Winkle, scared and confused. We must make the necessary changes now to ensure that this does not happen.
Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity
Wow! The Importance of Creativity by Sir Ken Robinson is one of the most inspiring talks I have ever heard for today's teachers. Robinson brings to light the idea that our schools actually educate our children out of their creativity. He asserts that school systems around the world are based on being "right." Understandably, our children begin to fear being wrong. Instead of taking chances with their creativity, they conform to the system. Our current educational systems were initiated to produce workers for industrializing countries. They were designed for workers who would live in a world and perform jobs of predictability and repetition. In today's unpredictable, ever changing world, this system of education is unacceptable. We need to encourage and capitalize on our children's innovation.
I agree wholeheartedly with Robinson's assessment of our current mode of education. Almost everything in our schools is geared toward getting the right answers. We are very test-oriented from first grade throughout postsecondary education (except for Dr. Strange's EDM310!!!). Also, our children enjoy only a minimal amount of arts education. Although I have some ideas about how to foster creativity in my own classroom, I fear that these ideas could be quelled by pressures from parents, administrators, and politicians. It seems that everyone is striving to meet that next high grade or score, which puts a lot of pressure on the teacher to make sure her students can compete well on these standardized tests. Robinson stated in his speech, "Creativity is as important as literacy." He proposes, and I agree, that they should be treated with the same status. I would really enjoy seeing more information about how to balance these two competing interests.
A Vision for 21st Century Learning
On the other hand, these tech-exposed children enter our school systems which are outdated for today's world. They receive instruction that is mostly passive. Lectures, fact memorization and textbook reading can not and will not prepare them for a future in this fast-paced world of technology. Rather, our educational system needs to rewrite itself. We need to prepare our teachers to be facilitators of learning and experimentation. We need to empower our students to explore and create. I believe this change would be a worthy transformation, but I fear I will never see it.
Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts
Vicki Davis, an IT teacher in rural, south Georgia, brings her students face-to-face with the world through her innovative use of technology. In Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts she shares her belief that "every student can learn, but only certain types of students are going to succeed with only pen and paper." She also proposes the idea that a teacher does not have to know everything before she can teach it. She allows the student to take the initiative or lead the way in many situations. She refers to this scenario as "turning school upside-down."
Ms. Davis is obviously making an impact on her students' lives. No doubt, they will leave her classroom well on their way to being productive in today's technology saturated world. She is leaving her mark on the world of education, as well, through her blog and lectures. This video is a phenomenal example of what is possible in today's classroom.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Blog Post #1
TOPIC 1 - PERSONAL INFO
I am a forty-two year old mother of three who lives in Spanish Fort, Alabama. After dating almost eight years, I married my high school sweetheart (Craig). We went to separate colleges in South Carolina before marrying, and then we moved to Tuscaloosa where I went to work teaching special education and he went to law school. Upon completion of law school, we moved down south. At that point, I began teaching and coaching at Fairhope High School until we began our family. Since then, I have been the typical stay-at-home soccer mom. All my children (Mary Katherine - 13, Lora Ashley - 11, Cade - 7) are very active in sports activities. One or all of them participate in baseball, softball, volleyball, basketball and track, and I have enjoyed watching and/or coaching them in these activities. It may be obvious from that list that team sports is a passion. I think involvement in team sports teaches you things that can't be learned in a classroom (or anywhere else, for that matter). Between school, church and sports I am extremely busy; and although I have always been a good student, I am seriously worried about my ability to add three college classes to the "to-do" list!
So, I have been at home for the last 13 years raising kids. However, I have remained active in the educational field through my own children. Obviously, I have relearned almost the entire elementary curriculum through homework and projects. I have been room mom for one of my children's classes every year. I have volunteered in almost every position conceivable, including PTA Fundraiser Chairperson, Secretary, VP and President. I have been so involved at my children's school that my husband has often asked why I don't just go back to teaching so I can get paid for being there! I guess you could say that I am passionate about having a strong educational system, so here I am at South Alabama going through the steps of recertification.
An early hands-on experience with a special needs student is what led me to enter the education field. In sixth grade, I was chosen to work with Jeremy as a peer tutor. I was never told Jeremy's "label," but looking back he obviously had some type of intellectual disability. Jeremy also had several behavioral habits that needed to be worked on in order for him to fit into the school setting a little better. I worked with Jeremy every week and really developed a relationship with him. After leaving sixth grade and moving on to the junior high school and high school, I often wondered about Jeremy and how he was doing. I never saw him at school. Then, as a senior in high school I had the opportunity to be a "hugger" for the Special Olympics, and , low and behold, there was Jeremy! When Jeremy recognized and remembered me at that event, it cemented my desire to become a special educator.
TOPIC 2 - RANDY PAUSCH ON TIME MANAGEMENT
Randy Pausch's lecture on time management was an enjoyable "listen" (Randy Pausch on Time Management). He has a good sense of humor about the decisions we make and why we make them. This point in his discussion probably stood out the most to me because I have a real problem with saying "no." You can probably determine that from the list above of PTA jobs for which I volunteered or agreed to do. When I see a job that needs to be done and nobody else steps forward, I tend to feel obligated to do it. I am not sure if that is due to a personality trait, a strong work ethic or a need to feel needed. ???Who knows??? One thing I know I will have to implement during the next few months is Pausch's advice to ask "Why am I doing this?" Between the continued demands of a family and home and the new demands of college classes and all that is necessary to reinstate my teaching certificate, I think this question will become my new best friend. As a mom, I have become a master of time-management and multi-tasking, so if I can learn to eliminate the tasks that aren't important, maybe I can make it through this semester.
I also thought Pausch's whimsical comments on experience were entertaining. He jokingly states that bad judgement leads to experience which leads to good judgement. So many times we view our own bad judgement as "failures" in our life, but if we look at these experiences as stepping stones to coveted "experience" and "good judgement," then we can feel a little better about those "failures."
I am a forty-two year old mother of three who lives in Spanish Fort, Alabama. After dating almost eight years, I married my high school sweetheart (Craig). We went to separate colleges in South Carolina before marrying, and then we moved to Tuscaloosa where I went to work teaching special education and he went to law school. Upon completion of law school, we moved down south. At that point, I began teaching and coaching at Fairhope High School until we began our family. Since then, I have been the typical stay-at-home soccer mom. All my children (Mary Katherine - 13, Lora Ashley - 11, Cade - 7) are very active in sports activities. One or all of them participate in baseball, softball, volleyball, basketball and track, and I have enjoyed watching and/or coaching them in these activities. It may be obvious from that list that team sports is a passion. I think involvement in team sports teaches you things that can't be learned in a classroom (or anywhere else, for that matter). Between school, church and sports I am extremely busy; and although I have always been a good student, I am seriously worried about my ability to add three college classes to the "to-do" list!
So, I have been at home for the last 13 years raising kids. However, I have remained active in the educational field through my own children. Obviously, I have relearned almost the entire elementary curriculum through homework and projects. I have been room mom for one of my children's classes every year. I have volunteered in almost every position conceivable, including PTA Fundraiser Chairperson, Secretary, VP and President. I have been so involved at my children's school that my husband has often asked why I don't just go back to teaching so I can get paid for being there! I guess you could say that I am passionate about having a strong educational system, so here I am at South Alabama going through the steps of recertification.
An early hands-on experience with a special needs student is what led me to enter the education field. In sixth grade, I was chosen to work with Jeremy as a peer tutor. I was never told Jeremy's "label," but looking back he obviously had some type of intellectual disability. Jeremy also had several behavioral habits that needed to be worked on in order for him to fit into the school setting a little better. I worked with Jeremy every week and really developed a relationship with him. After leaving sixth grade and moving on to the junior high school and high school, I often wondered about Jeremy and how he was doing. I never saw him at school. Then, as a senior in high school I had the opportunity to be a "hugger" for the Special Olympics, and , low and behold, there was Jeremy! When Jeremy recognized and remembered me at that event, it cemented my desire to become a special educator.
TOPIC 2 - RANDY PAUSCH ON TIME MANAGEMENT
Randy Pausch's lecture on time management was an enjoyable "listen" (Randy Pausch on Time Management). He has a good sense of humor about the decisions we make and why we make them. This point in his discussion probably stood out the most to me because I have a real problem with saying "no." You can probably determine that from the list above of PTA jobs for which I volunteered or agreed to do. When I see a job that needs to be done and nobody else steps forward, I tend to feel obligated to do it. I am not sure if that is due to a personality trait, a strong work ethic or a need to feel needed. ???Who knows??? One thing I know I will have to implement during the next few months is Pausch's advice to ask "Why am I doing this?" Between the continued demands of a family and home and the new demands of college classes and all that is necessary to reinstate my teaching certificate, I think this question will become my new best friend. As a mom, I have become a master of time-management and multi-tasking, so if I can learn to eliminate the tasks that aren't important, maybe I can make it through this semester.
I also thought Pausch's whimsical comments on experience were entertaining. He jokingly states that bad judgement leads to experience which leads to good judgement. So many times we view our own bad judgement as "failures" in our life, but if we look at these experiences as stepping stones to coveted "experience" and "good judgement," then we can feel a little better about those "failures."
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
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