The
inclusion of technology in the classroom does wonders for motivating students,
for bringing resources into the classroom, for
remediation purposes, and for many other beneficial purposes. One of the most beneficial purposes for
technology is the assistance that it can give Special Education students. Through the recent advances in technology,
teachers can provide these students with specialized software, websites, and
hardware in order to meet their specialized needs. Due to No Child Left Behind and inclusion, teachers
can expect to have students with a wide array of abilities and disabilities in
their classrooms (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p. 402). Special Education students with mild
disabilities, moderate and severe disabilities, physical disabilities, sensory
disabilities, at-risk behaviors, and those with gifts and talents can all
receive specialized instruction that is tailored for their needs through
different technologies.
Those students with mild
disabilities usually struggle in learning how to read and write. This type of disability is the most common of
the disabilities; therefore, teachers will encounter these students and will
need to know how to best assist them (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p.
406). For the students who struggle with
handwriting, the Neo Writer is a great piece
of hardware that assists students by offering large keys and many other
beneficial features. Students who
struggle with reading and writing can also benefit from using software that is
designed for their needs. Students, who
have Dyslexia and other types of reading disabilities, can use WYNN Literacy Software. This particular software is helpful as it
highlights certain parts of the text and it speaks to the user.
Students who have moderate and
severe disabilities need to learn how to take care of themselves. They need to be taught how to function in
today’s society. For example, teachers
focus on teaching them how to dress according to the weather, how to use money
to purchase groceries, etc. Teaching of
the basic subjects is not so much of a focus with students with moderate and
severe disabilities (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p. 408). These students learn well from watching
videos and through interacting with specialized software. The Go Talk NOW iPad App is perfect for
aiding those students who struggle with communication (Roblyer & Doering,
2013, p. 408). This app features big
symbols and audio capabilities. The Talk Trac Wearable Communicator is a device
that’s worn on the wrist. The device
assists wearers with beginning conversations.
This device is perfect for students who need assistance with
communicating appropriately.
Students with physical disabilities
are those who have complications in moving.
Students may have problems with fine and/or gross motor skills (Roblyer
& Doering, 2013, p. 408). These
students can be accommodated by using certain devices that help them perform
the same tasks as the other students are doing in the classroom. Students with physical disabilities often use
switches in order to manipulate computers (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p.408). A Pal Pad is a type of
hardware and can be connected to computers and is triggered by touch. IntelliTools is software
made specifically for students with disabilities. Students with physical disabilities can learn
the required educational standards as well.
The software can be manipulated with special switches and keyboards.
Students with sensory disabilities
are those that have a loss of hearing or vision. Students that fall in this category may be
blind, deaf, or impaired in seeing or hearing (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p.
409). A device that can aid the vision-impaired is the MagniLink Vision. This hardware magnifies reading materials,
photos, etc. that are placed under the lens.
OpenBook Scanning and Reading Software changes text
into electronic speech for those who are visually-impaired. For those students who are hearing-impaired,
the Prime Link Classroom Audio System amplifies the
teacher’s voice so that he/she can be heard by all. Software for the Deaf teaches
children through the use of American Sign Language.
Students with at-risk behaviors are
those who don’t have a Special Education diagnosis but struggle in one or more
academic areas. These students may be
behind in reading, writing, math, etc. These students learn well when the
software and websites are motivational and presented in a fun way (Roblyer
& Doering, 2013, p. 409). The
website, BrainPOP, offers videos
on an array of subjects. These videos
are presented by interesting characters that make learning fun. Tom Snyder Products offers software
that focuses on intervention in math, science, reading and language arts, etc. Students with at-risk behaviors can benefit
educationally from these two resources because they are motivational and
provide intervention in important academic areas.
Students with gifts and talents are
typically those students who are achieving academic success at a higher rate
than those of their own age (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p. 411). These students can be academically challenged
through the use of technology. These
students and their parents can gain valuable information and resources from the
website titled, Duke TIP. Through this link, subject-related resources
can be purchased in order to challenge gifted students. These resources enable students to work independently
and at their own pace. Instructional and
learning tools can be purchased for gifted students from the website titled,
Hoagies' Gifted Education Page. Games, books, toys, software, etc. can be
purchased from this site. As with all
students, those with gifts and talents need to be challenged in order to bring
out their full potential.
In conclusion, it is an educator’s
duty to do all in his/her power to insure that all students, regardless of
their abilities, are being educated appropriately. Upon high school graduation, all students are
expected to be responsible citizens. This
can only be achieved if their potential is realized and brought out through
effective teachers.
Google Reader Reference While reading through blogs, I came across a post titled, "First Browser for Autistic Children: Zac Brower," on the blog, A Media Specialist's Guide to the Internet. The blog post provides a link to a tutorial on a browser that was designed specifically for children with Autism. The browser (Zac Browser) was created by the grandparents of an Autistic child named Zac. They wanted Zac to be able to manipulate the computer in a way that was conducive for a child with Autism. This post touched my heart. I love to read about families who fully support their child's needs. This blog post can be found by clicking here.
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