Chapter 4
Question 2: Students with special needs include both those who have disabilities and those who are gifted. Technology can provide solutions to help meet the unique needs of both groups. However, schools typically have limited budgets for technology. Considering that the needs of all students should be met, what do you think the best allocation of limited technology dollars should be to meet these students’ needs? Give examples to support your views. Technology allow teachers to differentiate learning for all students. Every student is an individual and learns in a different way. Technology allows teachers to provide materials for students of every learning style: auditory, visual, and kinesthetic. We can record lectures, provide interactive PowerPoint presentations, provide engaging simulations. All these tools can be brought to bear to engage all our students. We have a special responsibility and lawful duty to provide for the special needs of those with disabilities. This is not an option and is required under the Children with Disabilities Act. School budgets must consider these children and we must accommodate for them. Talented and Gifted (TAG) students’ needs need also be met and can be with existing technology and teacher accommodation. In my experience, I have had both SPED and TAG students in my classroom and found that both can be accommodated. In fact, I have often used the TAG students to peer teach the students with disabilities. In this way both prosper. The TAG students gain the much deeper understanding that comes through teaching and the SPED students are relaxed with the other students and engaged with them in learning. In my short experience with teaching, I have not lacked the technology to engage either students with disabilities or talented and gifted students.1 Chapter 5. Question 3: What is the most significant opportunity presented by technology integration? What role does training play in effectively integrating computers in the classroom? Schools should reflect the culture of the society it serves. In this digital age the kids are often further ahead of the teachers and schools in terms of technology literacy. It is essential that we incorporate more and more technology into the classroom. The opportunities of doing so are many. First, technology gives teachers the ability to engage students in a deeper way, and in a way familiar to them. If we present material to students in the way we were taught, it would seem quaint, old fashioned and the results would be less effective. Technology gives us the ability to present material to students in different ways. Every student is different and have preferred learning styles. Technologies most significant opportunity, it seems to me, is the ability to differentiate and present materials in ways to meet each students individual learning fingerprint. Training must be an on-going part of teacher professional development. Technology grows and changes, and teachers must be trained to change with it. We must embrace technology and incorporate into our daily professional lives’. This requires training. Luckily most IT departments are more than willing to spend time with teachers individually or in Professional Development training. School districts are more-and-more willing and able to upgrade and allot the money required to incorporate technology and to train teachers and administrators. Chapter 6. Question 2: Some teachers believe that too much emphasis is placed on computers and other technologies in the classroom. Considering the technologies you have learned about in this chapter, do you agree or disagree? Defend your view. I believe that in the digital age that a computer with internet access is the gateway knowledge. We no longer have a real choice as to whether to use computers in the classroom. Computers and digital technology are ubiquitous and an essential part of our everyday life. Technology is the water that our students swim in and to decide to limit use of these technologies in their education would put students at a disadvantage. Every student must have a computer and internet access and we must challenge students with new technologies that will engage them and prepare them for a future where even more advanced technologies await them. A large part of our responsibility to our students is to prepare them for the future. The future for these students will include more technology and more advanced technology. As a technology immigrant myself, I am continually amazed by this technology and the opportunities it brings. As someone who had to go to the public library to find information for high school term papers, I stand in awe that the accumulated knowledge of the entire history of the world is accessed in seconds through a computer or a smart phone. Every student must have this tool at hand, every day.
3 Comments
6/23/2019 10:35:41 pm
Hey John, I think that your ideas on using TAG students to peer teach SPED students are great. Like you said, it benefits both types of students. I also liked what you said about needing technology for SPED and TAG students because these are the abnormal situations where assistive technology can really help them. Great responses!
Reply
Gary Lee
6/24/2019 04:53:36 pm
John, I like the way you were able to use the gifted students to help tutor the students with disabilities. Peer tutoring sometimes works better than even having a teacher tutor, I guess students just like to listen more with there peers haha. There are a tons of resources available to help aid all students, despite their situations. Differentiated instruction I think is great for gifted students and those with disabilities.
Reply
Saiva Baker
6/30/2019 06:31:10 am
John,
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorJohn Oglesby ArchivesStudent Blogs:
|