SPED 3000 Chapter 9 Week 7

Technology in the classroom can be extremely useful if used when appropriate and not overly done. I think that it is important for children to know that there are other ways to get answers, take notes, or compute equations than just using technology. They may not always have the technology at their side so it is important for student to develop the skills they need to be independent from technology, while it is also important for them master certain tech items. I think that technology can be an integral part of special services for children with disabilities. In our class a few weeks ago, Jason mentioned that his wife records her students on a Ipod doing activities in the appropriate manner, then if the child begins acting inappropriately she gives them the Ipod with the video of the appropriate behavior playing to show them the correct way. This method has worked with her special needs students. Another incorporation of technology for special services could be allowing a student to use headphones to listen to music when they need a few calm moments. The assistive technology can be the students main mode of communication also. I watched an interview with a teenage girl that has severe autism. She has an Ipad of some kind that she used to communicate with those around her. She cannot talk or write, but after research she is finally able to communicate for the first time through technology. Inventions like that make incorporating technology so much more important. In cases such as hers, using the technology is greatly important. It is less severe cases that educators need to be careful in making sure the students do not become too dependent.