Graphic organizing softwares
are supportive tools when it comes to working with those with special needs.
The particular software in this article that Barbara Green mentions she uses in
her own classroom is named “Inspiration.” This program “provides colors,
shapes, fonts, and patterns to groups and classify words, ideas, and concepts.”
The exercises that include such items help students who struggle with
cognitive, visual, or learning disabilities. In addition to assisting the
students with strengthening their skills, Inspiration also provides teachers
with helpful websites and templates they may need to use.
As someone who is going into
the field of special needs, I love the fact there are programs dedicated to
strengthening their needs. Technology is just as important to implement into
lesson plans so the students are able to feel comfortable around the
technology. One of my closest friends has severe Asperger syndrome and she
enjoyed school much more once she was introduced to computers. The technology opened
up a world of passion’s she never knew had existed before and now she makes a
living as a computer game designer.
With exercises that are
helping with the visual, cognitive and learning disabilities, the ISTE
standards for students are met through creativity and innovation. Standard 4 is
in play with the students hard at work with their critical thinking, problem
solving and decision making. They are analyzing data all while coming to
conclusions. Teachers meet all the standards set by ISTE. Engaging students and
creating innovative ways to involve students is constantly in play. Every
student is a different case, so every lesson plan must be adjusted accordingly
(Standards 1 and 2). By developing authentic lesson plans (Standard 2), the
teacher’s must showcase their knowledge and skills as they teach in a digital
society (Standard 3). Promoting the model digital responsibility teaches the
students to understand diverse needs of different learners and cultures
(Standard 4). And by making certain all the above standards are met, Green is making certain she is growing professionally (Standard 5).
Green, B. F. (2008). Inspiring students with special needs. Learning
& Leading with Technology, 36(3), 38-39.
This sounds like a great program. I like that while it is a program that assists the students with cognitive, visual, or learning disabilities it also has resources for the teachers to reference if needed. Your statement about integrating technology really strikes a chord with me. Even for students that don't fall into the special needs category I think it is important for them to at least feel comfortable with it. I feel I am sometimes a bit behind in understanding the technology that is out there and by the time I learn it's already evolved. It's a never ending game of catch up and I think part of it is that I never really used it much and as a result was only slightly familiar and comfortable with it and now I'm realizing all the opportunity there is but am still behind the power curve!
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