Blog Post #3

Technology in Special Education
Ms. Cook is a wonderful educator, it takes a special person to be able to teach special needs students. She understands their needs and has a desire to learn and inform others about effective teaching methods for children with special needs. Technology she believes is important in helping encourage student participation. Many of her students have diasabilities that effect their verbal and physical abilities. Technology has opened up a whole new avenue of helping them learn in an exciting and faster way. It keeps their attention while allowing them to do things they may not be able to do on their own. The teacher can build relationships and connections with the students. Communication and learning is a easier and more successful process. Her vision for the students is that they can continue to learn about the value of technology and all of the new ones so that they can use their knowledge to assist them in the future.

This video really helped me to realize and think about the importance of technology in the special education classroom. Technology can be effective as well with other students who may have learning disabilities. In my future classroom I can fully integrate the technology into the classroom to help the children learn along with the other students. They can be apart of the class as well group work with the communication opportunities that this technology brings.

Apps for Special Education
I came across an app called Eddy's Number Party which helps children match, count, and lots more. It would help the children by giving them a visual and interactive tool that can allow them to have fun while learning. This application uses colorful graphics and a story line to help the children to learn math skills. Also it can help the children learn application for real life as they count the balloons and other things at the party.
I really like the idea of using iPads and other technology to help special needs children. Children learn better with hands on material. Using theses applications can be effective in keeping these childrens' attention while giving them the extra practice and assistance that they require. In the video we watched How the iPad Works with Academics for Autism we could see how the dad used this technology to help his child learn words and numbers at his own pace. The application was interactive which also helps him to learn better.

Gary Hayes Social Media Count

When I watched this it really amazed me and put things in to perspective. I don't think we realize how much technology and especially social media has become such a large part of our society. We live in a generation where technology is changing every day and as educators we need to be up to date on all of it in order to better relate to and teach our students. We need to take advantage of the technology and help prepare our students for their future as it will become a major part of their lives.

In my professional career as a teacher technology can be a very important tool in educating children. It can keep their interest while providing the essential skills they will need in the future. Technology is something that everyday becomes a bigger part of our lives and is constantly changing. When children grow up they will need to know about them to succeed in school and future careers. It can also benefit me by learning from fellow educators about effective teaching methods and create a positive learning community.

A Vision of Students Today
In this video it shows the thoughts of students and the lack of technology in classrooms. The statistics and facts show that students spend more time on Facebook, email, and other forms of technology rather than on schoolwork. Students become bored by just sitting and listening to a lecture. With college class sizes averaging around 100 people they become far too large for a personal learning experience and some students don't even bother to come. Class becomes boring so students find themselves not paying attention and doing on other things on their computer rather than note taking.
We are a technology driven society and by utilizing this effectively in the classroom students will be more engaged in the lesson. Schools need to look at the needs of their students and work to fill those. Hundreds of dollars are spent on books and thousands on school tuition. We should use this to make the learning experience more of an effective one by helping them prepare the future, which will most definitely include technology.