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							  Technology and Inclusion




Brooklyn Bawulski and Rachel McKinnie
         EDMT 330 Copeland

         November 21, 2005
             Group A
Students with special needs in your classroom.


   A student with mild disabilities and no physical or noticeable
    handicap may be rejected by other children in the class simply
    because they exhibit behaviors that may seem atypical. Educating all
    students about disabilities can help with this. Visit Education World
    for free lesson plan ideas.
   Students with special needs may have trouble understanding lessons
    that are not specifically adapted for them. They may be unable to
    concentrate on lectures or follow directions. They could also be easily
    distracted by other students.
   Students with special needs may have trouble completing
    assignments in the same amount of time allotted for other students.
    They may also have trouble completing tests or homework in a timely
    manner.
   Students with special needs may also feel embarrassed about their
    handicap or disability because other students don’t understand or
    don’t have any prior knowledge or experience with special needs
    students.
What are some issues in helping students
with special needs learn in your classroom?

   Many times, students can have a
    special need that is not apparent in
    everyday situations. Atypical behavior
    of these students can cause them to
    loose self-esteem and feel ostracized
    by peers.
   Some students with special needs
    may not be able to communicate
    effectively without the use of
    technology.
   The use of certain technology can
    help to build the communication skills
    and self-esteem of students with
    special needs.
   Technology can also allow special
    needs students the ability to learn at
    their own pace in a format that works
    best for them.
How can technology help students with
special needs learn better?


    Technology can give students alternative ways to participate in the
     classroom.
    Technology can connect students to their classrooms from home. It can also
     allow them to work at their own pace. A class website is a great idea to allow
     students access to class materials from home. Geocities offers free web
     hosting for web sites.
    Technology can allow students with speech impediments to communicate
     clearly with others. It can also allow students with hearing impairments to
     “hear” what is going on. Technology can also allow students with vision
     impairments the ability to know what is going on and participate the same as
     any other student. Check out Links to free software that enable computers
     with these capabilities.
    Information can be presented in a variety of ways to students with special
     needs. Computer software programs are all over the internet. Visit The
     Teachers' Institute for Special Education to see what products are available.
How can technology help students
with special needs learn better?

   Presents information in a variety of ways,
    including rewording and restating of directions
    to provide students with multiple opportunities
    to comprehend what is expected.
   Provides a multisensory approach to learning.
   Provides a careful balance of immediate and
    delayed feedback while students learn to
    become confident in their own abilities.
Credits
   British Journal of Education Technology v. 36 no5. (September 2005) p. 739-55.
   Moeller, Babette. “Forging special pathways: teaming and technology make inclusion possible grade after
    grade. (using computer technology to smoothly integrate special need students with regular classes for
    long-term inclusion)(the Pathways for Learning Project) (Industry Trend or Event.” Electronic Learning
    15.n3 (Nov-Dec 1995): 18(2). InfoTrac OneFile.Thomson Gale. Eastern Michigan University. 17 November
    2005.
   O’Donnel, Donna J. “Promoting self-esteem. (Special Needs).” Learning & Leading Technology 32.5 (Feb
    2005): 26 (4). InfoTrac OneFile. Thomson Gale. Eastern Michigan Univeristy. 12 November 2005
   http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/lesson115.shtml
   http://geocities.yahoo.com/home/
   http://e-bility.com/links/software.php
   http://special-education-soft.com/