1. Describe issues related to training special education teachers to use technology.
The book mentions a number of issues related to training special education teachers to use technology in the classroom. One of the main issues is actually providing the training in order for these special education or specialists to properly use the technology that they have at their disposal. The book mentions that much effort has been put in to identifying the knowledge and skills needed by teachers and specialists to use technology in special education classes. The problem is that most teachers begin their journey into teaching with minimal experience using technology in the classroom. Another issue that deals with the adequacy of training special education teachers on technology centers on the use of interdisciplinary teams for evaluating the need for assistive technology and decision making in the selection of appropriate devices and services.
2. Give examples of no-tech, low-tech, and high-tech solutions for special students.
Some examples of no-tech solutions for special education students are non-electronic tools or games for example that provide the special ed student with mental stimulation such as checkers that are no-tech but provide a stimulating activity for special ed students. A low-tech example would be joysticks or switches that are relatively low-tech but provide certain special Ed students with the ability to function and open up the lines of communication between them and the teacher. A high-tech approach would be using several computer based software programs that allow the special ed student to open up their imagination and mind like never before.
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Paul, thats a good point that there are a number of no-tech solutions to assisting special ed students. I think some teachers may be reluctant to look for high tech solutions, because they either don't feel they have the time, or don't know how to use those resources. In the event that a teacher cannot use technology, it is important to return to the basics, and teach the students using traditional techniques. Manipulatives and other exercises can be good tools. However, teacher's should not limit their students by avoiding technology, they should start small and use one resource at a time. Integrating the technology carefully and with great consideration will be the key to the teacher's success.
ReplyDeleteIt is true that most teachers begin their career with out much experience with assisstive technology. The problem is that technology changes so quickly, if a teacher were to take a course at the beginning of their college career, by the time they graduated, the technology may have changed and their knowledge may be outdated. Not only that, there is so many things out there now, it would be impossible to prepare a teacher beforehand with all of the tools they may need. Teachers at the beginning of their career don't know what kind of students they are going to have, and therefore don't know what programs they will need to help these special needs students out.
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