Techonology Giving A Helping Hand

 

Image of boy using tablet

By being an elementary school teacher, I must be able to create or adjust a lesson plan that will benefit all students, including students with a disability. In addition, I must be make sure to be aware of different types of assistive technologies that can benefit all my students in their education.

            Technology has proven to be very beneficial for everyone around the world. This is especially true for teachers where it has aided them in involving their students with a disability. In the video, “How Assistive TechnologyEnables Dreams” (2005), there was a student with a disability that made it challenging for him to use his limbs, which is challenging since he was in the music band. Although this student had this disability, the band director allowed the student to join the school band. The band director noticed the student was very passionate about playing, where if there was just one note he could hit, he was happy to do it. Through this, the student received an assistive technology that helped him be able to play the Euphonium Horn. This shows teachers must know there is technology out there that can help assist students in their passion and education.

          According to the textbook, " Exceptional Children- An Introduction to Children With Special Education" (2013),  IEP's are needed for students with disabilities between the ages of
3 and 21.  Through the IEP, it allows teachers know where the student with a disability is at academically in order  to plan out where to go from there. How I can achieve creating a successful IEP is by first, involving the parents. Parents know their child best and are able to give good input on what they believe their child needs in order to help them in their education. In addition, I will do research online to see if there are different types of assistive technology that can guide my student to achieve academically. Lastly, I will consult with teachers and ask for advice, especially teachers who might have had the student previously. Creating a lesson plan for a student with a disability is a learning experience for the teacher and the student. With the help of others, the student has a great chance in having a successful education.
    An assistive technology that I would like to  incorporate into my classroom would be the Ipad. I have two cousins with mild autism and they use the Ipad for entertainment along with learning. The Ipad helped my two cousins learn  through  the engagement of the educational games. When my cousin tested into preschool, they said that he already knew most of the basics. The only problem was he did not know how to write. This made my aunt and uncle feel glad their son is not too far behind in what he needs to know. 
      Overall, technology has came a great way to improve people's lives, especially those with disabilities. It can help give students the ability to follow their dreams, just like how it helped a student follow his passion for music. Technology benefits both the teachers and students in order for them  to succeed in their academic journey.



Faird, S. (2017, January 12) [Photograph] Retrieved from https://www.munfarid.org/virtual-reality-   for-assistive-technology/

 (2005). How Assistive Technology Enables Dreams [Online video]. USA: edutopia. Retrieved from
https://www.edutopia.org/assistive-technology-enabling-dreams-video

Heward, W. (2013). Exceptional Children, An Introduction to Special Education, 10th Ed.. New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.