After this week discussion, it really opened my eyes about supportive technologies that will help students with learning or physical disabilities. These technologies will motivate students and keep them interested.
Like I stated in my discussion, schools want inclusion between general education classrooms, and special education classrooms. There are many benefits to inclusion in the classroom. Students will have equal learning opportunities and students will learning disabilities have a better chance with staying on par with their classmates.
I am disappointing in the lack of education/training that the county is giving teachers. In my school, we had to pay for the training. I think is should be a free training because it is helping students who really need it.
I found an article online from the National Center for Learning Disabilities called "Assistive Technologies". This link includes videos, books, applications and other steps to help students with different disabilities. Please give it a read, and I hope this is helpful in your classrooms.
http://www.ncld.org/students-disabilities/assistive-technology-education
I found the discussion on assistive technology interesting. It has prompted me to look into what hardware/software accommodations that my school offers. We have a Disability Support Office where students have to request services. I've had former students request extra time on tests, but nothing beyond that. This is an area that needs more attention by the school system. It is unfortunate that you had to pay for training.
ReplyDeleteHopefully schools will see how necessary it is to have the proper supportive technologies and training for the technologies
ReplyDeleteI also find frustration in the lack of training available for teachers. I do not know how school systems can expect us to perform to the best of our ability if we are not given the proper tools to make us effective. I believe that using inclusion classrooms is a worthwhile endeavor, but I also believe that teachers need to be supported, so that they, in turn, can support the students. I would love to see more training available in terms of assistive technology and strategies to help differentiate instruction, as well as technology techniques in general that would support the learning of students will special needs. If we expect all students to succeed, it is not enough to just create an inclusion classroom. Things do not happen in a bubble. There must be training, preparation, and support.
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