Assistive technology in the classroom is a must for verbally challenged students. Assistive technology is sometimes the only voice autistic children can acquire. A M Baggs story describes the frustration of speech impairment and the lack of understanding.
Think for one minute, what if you had no verbal or written language, how could you make others aware of your thoughts? How could you express your wants and needs to anyone? Yes, sign language is one way, but not everyone knows sign language. Through technology all voices can be expressed and understood by everyone.
This blog seems to incorporate humor, classroom ideas, and is informative. I love all the pictures the teacher, Mr. Brunaccioni, has used to illustrate classroom activities. This site has given me many ideas for a classroom blog. I think the layout could be a more dramatic. The site contains information about the teacher and classroom activities. This outlines and gives you insight to the kind of teaching methods Mr. Brunaccioni demonstrates as humor, hands on, and discovery. I really enjoyed this site.
Just like any emerging technology tool, YouTube’s value is not a given it depends on how the teacher uses the video content to support and advance learning.
Taking a class of students down to the computer lab to watch a few catchy videos has no more learning benefit than turning a class of students onto the Internet for a half hour of random surfing. The power of YouTube only is activated when the teacher has a clear idea of how a specific video clip can be used to introduce a concept or theme, instigate a discussion, or serve as a writing prompt.
To help you learn about the ins and outs of using YouTube in the classroom, Edutopia’s Chris O’Neal has written, A Teacher’s Tour of YouTube. In that article, he not only points teachers to some of the educational gems found on YouTube; he also reminds readers that the ease with which we can access those videos can make the site risky for students, since the videos and accompanying comments and discussions are unfiltered and un-moderated. The article confirms the need for teachers to be vigilant about being mediators between YouTube videos and students.
In the reader comments accompanying the O’Neal article, teachers share their favorite YouTube sites as well as thoughts about how those sites can be used in the classroom.
Landmark College states, “With the reauthorization in 1997 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), assistive technology (AT) is no longer viewed by educators exclusively within a rehabilitative or remediative context, but as a tool for accessing curriculum.”
Non-verbal students would not be able to express or participate in the curriculum without a voice. Assitive Technology is their voice. Working with alot of non-verbal students the task of teaching would be more than frustrating without the dynamos, step by steps, and other assistive devices. These devices give them a voice, a choice, and the ability to participate along side with other students.
Ellen is a wonderful example of what an assistive device can make in a child’s life.
April is Autism Awareness Month…so fellow teachers it’s time to become more aware.
Professor Vernon Smith is a Nobel Prize Winner who also happens to have autism. Listen to his incredible story and celebrate diversity!
Personal experience has taught me that those who think in different ways should not be written off despite the challenges and obstacles that are often thrown in their way. For several years I was in a special education system that practiced enforced conformity. The belief was that anyone society labeled “disabled” could only go so far. Sadly, these misconceptions had the potential to become self-fulfilling prophecies. When the expectation is that people of a certain type can only reach so far, they are not provided with the same challenges and opportunities that educators give mainstreamed students. Professor Vernon Smith is an exception to the story and so are many more.
Autism Awareness is becoming more prevelent since one out of every 150 children born are diagnosed with autism. It is important for parents and other families to collaborate together so they are not alone. There is much support for parent, families, and teachers to understand and contribute to autism awareness.
Listen to Teddy Willis’s story, a young boy who is aware of his abilities and is not affraid to open his heart to others.
