Welcome to MyIDEAs a blog especially created for special education administrators and teachers. Special educators have unique perspectives and job demands--the paperwork--the meetings--integrating the general curriculum. There are few blogs just for us. I would like to share my 30+ years of experience from PL 94-142 to Response to Intervention. I want to learn more about how you are using web 2.0 tools to enhance the educational experience for students with disabilities. Please share your interests and innovations--your IDEAs may mean a child finds success in the classroom.
We all know that technology is the great equalizer for students with disabilities. Check out the Video Bar at right. These educators are increasing student participation, helping parents work with their children at home, and have found other innovative ways to use iPods in their classrooms. Are you using cutting edge technology with your SpEd students?
I find the idea of students with special needs using assistive devices that are in use by everyone as being an excellent solution to address the needs of students without being intrusive. As an administrator, we need to embrace i-pods, etc., as useful educational tools and not keep fighting to keep them out of the classroom.
ReplyDeleteThis video excited me by watching all the ways the special education classroom used ipods to help their students and parents. They used them for signing vocabulary for stories and for content areas, verbal memos to parents instead of the time consuming written reports, giving the parents a chance to use compatible signs at home, and signing books and stories so the children may enjoy them also.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing such a new and innovative idea.
David,are your teachers using iPods and cell phones for instruction? If so, has your school board policy changed to allow them to be used during the school day?
ReplyDeleteMarcia, this inexpensive technolgy can make a significant difference for students with disabilities--and to echo David's comment--allows increased normalcy for them. Do you think you will try to incorporate iPods into your work with students with hearing impairments?
ReplyDeleteI have been trying, with little success to post to this blog. Finally, I think I've got it! You need to post instructions for the less-savy tech geeks.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many digital tools out there! Apple seems to be in the forefront marketing their devices as educational tools. Take a look at http://edseminars.apple.com. There you can see info on Apple's educational seminars being held all around the country. There is one in Norfolk today for applications for special needs students. Webinars are also available.
ReplyDeleteJust think how cool the students would think they and their teachers were using their previously forbidden entertainment devices for something as mundane as learning!!
We need to catch up with the kids.