One of the challenges of teaching today, is being able to reach all of the students. This becomes more of a challenge in a class with where there is a wide range of learning needs. Not all students learn the same; therefore, to be an effective teacher it is essential to adapt the curriculum to address all types of ability levels. Technology, combined with different teaching methods, strategies, and materials, can be used to help design a more inclusive classroom.
It is important to understand that if a child is struggling with comprehending an idea or concept, it is the curriculum rather than the student that is disabled. (www.cast.org/publications/UDLguidelines /version 1.html#intro) A non-flexible curriculum deprives students of learning opportunities because it doesn't create room for alternative teaching methods to adapt to the range of learning, auditory, motor, or sensory disabilities. Just as detrimental, it also fails to meet the needs of advanced learners and students that have lost interest in school. If a teacher fails to address the diversity of learning needs in their classroom, then ultimately they are failing their students.
However, assistive technology coupled with alternative methods can be used to effectively provide students with the information that they need. Some examples of useful technology that can benefit students include: the Alphasmart, Type to Learn, the Lomak, the Tango, as well as programs like Read Please, and Start to Finish books. The Alphasmart can be used to help students improve their writing and spelling skills. Typing is an important skill that all students need to learn. The Alphasmart and a typing program like Type to Learn can be used to assist students struggling with basic coordination and typing skills. The Lomak is another devise that assists a student with typing if the student cannot control their arms, hands, or fingers, a fine motor skill. A great devise that is a very important for children, who struggle with autism or other disabilities that interfere with their ability to communicate, is the Tango. The Tango allows the students to not only become engaged in the classroom and talk to their peers, but it also allows those students to ask academic related questions. These are all great high tech devices that make learning easier for kids that have a physical disability that interferes with their learning. Despite the benefits of advanced assistive technology, one of the drawbacks is that it is very expensive and many schools have a limited budget to spend which makes it difficult to get this technology into the hands of the students.
However, there are some more simple, lower tech devices that can be helpful. These include things like manipulative tools, like a cardboard "pizza" cut into slices to help students visualize math. Students with motor control issues can benefit from using a large pencil grip to help with writing, or a Touchscreen to navigate a computer screen. Books on tape can be used to help students with reading troubles and dyslexia to follow along in a story. Start to Finish books can be used to assist advanced readers who read at a faster rate with less assistance from the teacher.
Although these are only a few of the many different types of assistive technology that can be used, there are hundreds more. These types of technology not only help students with different learning types and ability levels, but it also helps students become excited and interested in learning. Many times children lose interest in learning because they become frustrated with how they are being taught. However, if they have a curriculum that is tailored to meet their needs with the use of assistive technology, then they will feel better about learning and become excited about it once again. If we as future educators can meet the needs of the students with assistive technology and teaching methods then we can motivate them and get them engaged in learning. Students that love learning, that can be seen as a success.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Education in the 21st Century
A part of being an educator is being able to be flexible and willing to introduce new tools in the classroom, even if that reaches beyond a certain traditional comfort zone. Being a teacher in the 21st century, an age of limitless technology, means that is has never been more important to incorporate new techniques. Each day we are exposed and bombarded by the technological world with the use of computers, cellphones, ipods, text messaging, e-mails, and t.v; it is unavoidable. As a result, students today are becoming more and more dependent on technology and if education wants to keep pace with its students then it needs to learn to incorporate it into teaching. As a future educator, technology in the classroom is an essential tool that can assist in teaching as well as learning if it is used properly.
It is the goal of teaching to use the most helpful methods and techniques to assist students and motivate them to do the best that they can. It becomes the responsibility of the educator to keep pace with those methods and bring them into the classroom; and with the average student spending nearly 3.5 hours each day online, it is evident that computers and technology are a huge part of students lives.("Vision of Todays Students" Youtube video) Because of constant exposure to technology, students have become "digital learners" and multitaskers.("Pay Attention" Youtube ) They are always talking on their cell phones, playing video games, checking facebook, and listening to their ipods. They are addicted to being entertained, so when it comes time to sit down and watch a teacher write on the blackboard they become uninterested. In order to reach out and connect to students to draw their attention back to learning, is to create an entertaining and creative curriculum with the use of the technology that they are most familiar with. Technology has really become a part of who we are as a society and without the use of technology in classrooms, we are seriously setting children back. We live in a world where we are forced to coexist with technology, so to use it in the class not only prepares students for life beyond school, but it helps to connect to the students and helps them to gain an interest in learning.
Not only is technology the best way to engage and reach out to students, it is also a very helpful tool that can be used where textbooks sometimes fail. Sometimes textbooks can become outdated, inaccurate, and brief on certain subjects, this limits the amount of knowledge that students can gain on a particular topic. Not only that, but textbooks do not discuss real world, current events going on. However, where textbooks sometimes fail students, the Internet as a source can be very helpful. The Internet has thousands of entries on certain topics, it can go more in depth on a subject, and it is easy access to current information in a fast paced, ever changing society.
In a rapidly evolving society, technology also exposes students to other cultures and it connects them to a global society, as well as motivates them to get involved with issues in their own communities. Web cams and e-mails between classes in different regions and countries strengthens tolerance and communication, as well as creates a more direct way to learn about other cultures rather than to read about that particular culture in a textbook. The Internet also allows students to read about current issues in their area and to get involved with their community. This early experience of students voicing their opinion about current and local issues empowers students by getting them interested, invested, and letting them know they can play an active, productive role in their community.
Despite the endless positive possibilities and ways that technology can be used as a tool to enhance learning, it can also create problems if it is not used properly. The Internet is a powerful resource but not all sources are accurate, so it becomes essential to teach students to tell the difference between an accurate and an inaccurate web page. Also unmonitored Internet use is inviting for students to drift off task and e-mail one another. Another problem that technology has created is a dependence on the need to be entertained If its not entertaining students tend to tune it out. Technology only enhances this type of attitude, when it is just as important to work on developing the skill to focus on a topic or subject when it doesn't have a flashing power point, youtube video, or movie that goes with it. However, if we as future educators can create a healthy balance with technology in the class, it will only improve and strengthen education and a love of learning.
It is the goal of teaching to use the most helpful methods and techniques to assist students and motivate them to do the best that they can. It becomes the responsibility of the educator to keep pace with those methods and bring them into the classroom; and with the average student spending nearly 3.5 hours each day online, it is evident that computers and technology are a huge part of students lives.("Vision of Todays Students" Youtube video) Because of constant exposure to technology, students have become "digital learners" and multitaskers.("Pay Attention" Youtube ) They are always talking on their cell phones, playing video games, checking facebook, and listening to their ipods. They are addicted to being entertained, so when it comes time to sit down and watch a teacher write on the blackboard they become uninterested. In order to reach out and connect to students to draw their attention back to learning, is to create an entertaining and creative curriculum with the use of the technology that they are most familiar with. Technology has really become a part of who we are as a society and without the use of technology in classrooms, we are seriously setting children back. We live in a world where we are forced to coexist with technology, so to use it in the class not only prepares students for life beyond school, but it helps to connect to the students and helps them to gain an interest in learning.
Not only is technology the best way to engage and reach out to students, it is also a very helpful tool that can be used where textbooks sometimes fail. Sometimes textbooks can become outdated, inaccurate, and brief on certain subjects, this limits the amount of knowledge that students can gain on a particular topic. Not only that, but textbooks do not discuss real world, current events going on. However, where textbooks sometimes fail students, the Internet as a source can be very helpful. The Internet has thousands of entries on certain topics, it can go more in depth on a subject, and it is easy access to current information in a fast paced, ever changing society.
In a rapidly evolving society, technology also exposes students to other cultures and it connects them to a global society, as well as motivates them to get involved with issues in their own communities. Web cams and e-mails between classes in different regions and countries strengthens tolerance and communication, as well as creates a more direct way to learn about other cultures rather than to read about that particular culture in a textbook. The Internet also allows students to read about current issues in their area and to get involved with their community. This early experience of students voicing their opinion about current and local issues empowers students by getting them interested, invested, and letting them know they can play an active, productive role in their community.
Despite the endless positive possibilities and ways that technology can be used as a tool to enhance learning, it can also create problems if it is not used properly. The Internet is a powerful resource but not all sources are accurate, so it becomes essential to teach students to tell the difference between an accurate and an inaccurate web page. Also unmonitored Internet use is inviting for students to drift off task and e-mail one another. Another problem that technology has created is a dependence on the need to be entertained If its not entertaining students tend to tune it out. Technology only enhances this type of attitude, when it is just as important to work on developing the skill to focus on a topic or subject when it doesn't have a flashing power point, youtube video, or movie that goes with it. However, if we as future educators can create a healthy balance with technology in the class, it will only improve and strengthen education and a love of learning.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
My Introduction
This is my very first experience with blogging. I am a sophomore at the University of Maine at Farmington, where I am studying to become an elementary education teacher. This is my first day of my practicum block, which I am excited to begin.
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