§126.2.(4) Information acquisition. The student uses a variety of strategies to acquire information from electronic resources, with appropriate supervision. The student is expected to:
(A) apply keyword searches to acquire information; and
(B) select appropriate strategies to navigate and access information for research and resource sharing.
The only problem with this assignment is that it does not cover all areas of learning and ages. Obviously if you pick a younger age group it's harder to find a TEK that calls for use of technology. Kindergarten music, for instance, is not something that generally requires any use of technology. Any teacher could modify or accommodate on a student to student basis. However, what happens when the parent of a 5 year old doesn't want them playing around on computers or using technology. There is not one specific TEK that calls for the use of technology in the classes that I plan on teaching, and throughout this class there hasn't really been one. The closer I get to graduation the more I try to cater things that what my degree is in. It is extremely difficult to find anything about technology on a kindergarten music TEK that has been modified or accommodated for a special education student.
In my opinion that is the most difficult thing when it comes to this ETEC class, there are definite ways to integrate technology into classes. However, it becomes a little more difficult to do when you are working with a 17 year old student who has the mental capacity of a four year old. On certain occasions, yes, a student with needs can be given help through technology. I am not talking about AT or anything that is necessary to benefit the child in learning. I am talking about things that we have learned in this class. It is a very difficult task to find not only age appropriate, but functional appropriate technology for students with severe needs. There are so many ways to incorporate technology into the classroom but it becomes less and less applicable with every week that progresses in this class.
Jaci, I have worked with special needs kids for the last 6 years now and we have them in a classroom (lifeskills) teaching them things like math some of them do have the capabilities of a preschooler, but there are things out there in the technology field that you can do even for that. We use programs that grab their attention like Brainpop jr. This is a learning program that ranges from pre-k to 3rd grade taht shows them educational movies gives them a learning advancement on a subject that we may not be able to explain to them. We have children that are on all different levels but we have brought them to the ability to excel to boundries that you would be suprised. Just do not give up on them. You will be suprised at how much they know and how much they can fool you into getting out of things. Yes you will have some children that just can not do it, but you will have some that will blow you out of the water with how smart they really are!!
ReplyDeleteShona Brewer
That's really cool that you worked with special needs children for so long Shona, where at if you don't mind my asking? I agree about not being able to write off students, you never know.
ReplyDeleteMark Hudson