Describe issues related to training special education teachers to use technology.
Adequate and effective training for special education teachers to integrate technology instruction is a necessity to today's educational system. Our students deserve the same opportunities that the regular education students receive. The problem with effectively training the teachers is that it costs money. Unfortunately, NCLB funding is concentrated on the core curriculum, which leaves technology on the back burner.
Give examples of no-tech, low-tech, and high-tech solutions for special students.
No Tech-strategies used to minimize the impact of a person's impairment. An example could be a ramp which is used for a wheelchair bound person. Another example could be a seeing eye dog for a blind person.
Low Tech-strategies used to provide a person with support to be successful in a specific task with out the use of electronics. Examples include a highlighter to emphasize major points of a lesson, and personal dictionary with lists of words for the student to remember.
High Tech-strategies or devices used to provide a person with support to be successful in a specific task with the use of electronics that are really complex. Examples include a powered motorized wheelchair, stair lift, or an electronic spell checker.
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Cheri,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the adequate training for all the teachers. It does get costly if you are looking at over 20 teachers in the campus. I feel a little technology in the core curriculum is ok. What I have to do is fight to have an LCD at the beginning of the year because it is true that supplies and technology is limited. The only reason I get mine is because usually I put request by email early--- before school even begins. Also majority of teachers have noticed that I am the queen of cornell notes. I never paid attention to no-tech, low-tech, and high-tech until this course
I do agree with Cheri that adequate and effective training for special education teachers/instructors to integrate technology instruction inside the classroom is a necessity in today’s educational system. Special education students do deserve the same educational opportunities that the regular education students receive and providing special education teachers/instructors with the knowledge on how to properly use and integrate technology is one big step in that direction. And Cheri’s point on the lack of funding to train special education teachers/instructors on how to properly use technology in the classroom is a real big problem facing the country at this time. Hopefully the Federal Government in the very near future will allocate the proper funding toward those technological educational programs for all teachers, especially special education teachers/instructors.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you one hundred percent. It seems that NCLB has made a decision that special education is not going to receive the same amount of funding as the core classes. Teachers need training and like you put adequate training so that they can deliver proper services for special education students with the support or help of technology. Technology training is too important for educators and the correct placement or implementation of the training should not be wasted. The proper training for special education teachers needs to be a priority in schools as well as technology training for all teachers. This population of students needs to be serviced to create the least restrictive environment.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that No Child Left Behind has mandates that it does not fund. It is unfortunate that the same attention given to regular ed students is not afforded to special ed students. Teachers are not properly trained to use the technology in their classrooms. This is unfortunatate because technology can be used to make learning more meaningful for the special ed students. Their many programs available that can be integrated in the classroom that will allow a student to learn at his or her level. Since schools are too preoccupied with the state standardized tests, they sometimes overlook the special ed needs.
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