Wrapping it all up!

As I submitted my final CEP assessment, I took sometime to really reflect on the importance of classes like this one for future educators like my myself. I realize that not everyone is meant to teach special education but learning how to meet their needs if put in the situation (which is almost guaranteed to happen)! Learning alternative methods for effectively using technology in the classroom is beneficial is just keeping the direction and learning environment fun! Before this class I was not a regular on twitter, whether for social networking or educational but after learning how it could benefit me, I'm able to pick up something interesting everyday because I am now following well informed/knowledgeable professionals. I was never a fan of blogging because I just didn't think it was necessary, although I still wouldn't call myself a regular I have become more comfortable with it lately. The course overall taught me some interesting teaching methods and it also taught me how to navigate things I may need later on through my college years. One of the things I'd say that kept me most interested in the class was the fact both my professors gave us a real life outlook on the world of special educator from the viewpoint of a special ed teacher and a special ed student; literally the best of both worlds! Sara would give some of here educational standpoints of things concerning special education teachers. while Ira gave the harsh flip side of how hard things are for the teacher! Learning of these things make me better equipped for when I do get in that position! There is nothing like those real world perspectives and I think if more parents/teachers/students could work together to tell people how things really go, our student retention rate wouldn't be so low and our teachers wouldn't want to switch over after less than a year! Ira and Sara you guys really did a great job in creating such a warm learning environment, thank you!

Another perspective of living with a Learning Disability

The youtube video "My life with a learning disability" gave a very powerful perspective of what life is really like for a student suffering with ADHD. It's common for people to sympathize with openly autistic, deaf or blind students but I learned from the video that students with disabilities not visible are the one's who need the most attention but very seldom get it. Hearing the teen boy tell "his story" was one of the most heartfelt things I've ever seen. He discussed all the things he struggled with that the average kid his age, or even a teacher may have overlooked. His story touched me as a student and as a future teacher because I know there are a lot more kids in the classroom with the same unfortunate story. What I thought was worse was that, he was too embarrassed to ever reach out to anyone for help and most importantly of everyone in the school (teachers, principal, counselors) no one noticed that there was a problem. That made me a little nervous. As a future educator myself, I fear having a student in my class who needs "extra help" or is seeking to be noticed but never gets it. What is the common ground for teachers with a classroom full of students with different needs and a student in need of help but being overlooked because of the majority? I know the answer to this question is far from simple but at some point it has to be addressed in some way because too many students of our capable students are being "left behind".

Can you help a teacher out?!

Getting the assignment that required each group to prepare an IEP (Individualized Education Program) for various students in different "special" situations. Everyone was expected to participate in constructing the best IEP for the student, but instead of us having to assign one person to type and responsible for recording, we were about to all add our input in the IEP with the help of Google docs! All 4 of my group members and myself, individually added what we felt was the best alternative for the student to insure some type of academic improvement. Super easy and convenient for us all to work together, get the input of everyone and devise the best plan for our student. This made me think of my near future as a special education teacher who will be responsible for preparing IEP's for my students. How helpful and possibly less confrontational would it be to be able to sit amongst coworkers and devise the best plan and have confidence that my voice is being heard and my opinion actually matters? I've heard many different stories about how intense some IEP meetings go amongst the teachers, administrators and even the parents! I personally think because the IEP's are so important for the future of the child, it is important that the IEP is done correctly. Sometimes the problem is, everyone wants to the "know it all", everyone thinks they know "whats best" for the child and in all honesty so much focus is paid attention to those small unnecessary details, the most important thing (the child) is no longer #1 priority in the discussion which totally is unacceptable! If computers were to be available during the times that everyone meet up to start the IEP, it would help everyone be able to share their ideas in a helpful way. Not all people are verbal (like myself) I'd prefer being able to just add what I felt was best and explain why than to automatically be shut down by someone for verbally expressing to everyone. It would definitely come in handy for people like me, then again some people may not like it at all, which is fine too! It's just another "alternative" that could be used to better assist a student in need of a accomodations.

Helpful Resourses for Teachers

Last week we were introduced to Google documents and presentations and it was extremely helpful! Seeing all the helpful features the programs had to offer made me think of how resourceful they could be for teachers. These Google functions allow teachers to be creative and all their own personal touches to the learning process in the classroom. Playing around with Google forms and creating my own questionnaire for my imaginary class :) was extremely cool! I had the ability to ask what I wanted, make it any kind of question I wanted (multiple choice, paragraph form, etc), which I found to be really fun! As a future teacher I'm really enjoying finding all these extra tools that I KNOW will eventually help me once I'm in a classroom of my own (can't wait)!

My first Online Classroom expierence!

This weeks class (October 25), was definitely held a lot different from I've become accustomed too! My instructors making the decision to host a full class session online was extremely foreign to me but after experiencing it for the first time I love it! Seeing how we (students) were able to actively engage in conversation with our instructors as they taught, as well as having meaningful discussion with our peers about what we were learning was fascinating to me. This is to me, is just another mind blowing way of seeing how vastly technology is improving! As a future educator myself I found this to be an extremely beneficial learning tool for students who may have extreme illnesses that may prevent them from coming to call regularly, or for my students who may not participate actively in class, this could be an alternative for participation since you can chat while the teacher is instructing! The one down fall I have is, the fact that I plan on teaching in an urban setting. At times it is hard to get the neccessities in the classroom (enough books for the entire class, unlimited copies for assignments, etc) so my fear is that not all my students would have access to resources like this. Granted it is more common, almost required that every home has some sort of internet access (computer, smartphone, etc), it is a harsh reality that not everyone can afford that luxery! I would definately use this online tool as a resourse for students who may not be able to physically attend class. I was literally able to sit in my bed, with pajamas on and listen to the lecture as well as actively participate in discussion... just great! Seeing the benefit myself, I believe some of my special education students would enjoy and benefit from it as well! I'm always open to helpful alternative approaches to learning, especially for students with special needs.

The evolution of technology- Digital Books

As a future special education teacher I am very open to alternative learning methods and devices because I know in my classroom, I will be using them to better assist my students. With the ways things are steadily evolving through technology, I find no surprise behind the use of digital books. I support the whole idea of digital book alternatives but I am not so sure if I'm for the use of digital books as a replacement to regular printed page books.
I think Lynch made a good comparison in his article when he used the way we now listen to music as a comparison to this possible book replacement. There was a time when in order to listen to the music you wanted to hear on a regular bases, you had to go to a record store and purchase it. Now with the way things are steadily improving there are many alternatives! People rarely even buy Cd's and cassette's anymore but you can now download music to your computer or ipod. I found that comparison to be closely related to this debate over the switch between regular print and digital books. When we look back at the transformation in the music industry, we do see change but we also still see the opportunity to use other methods. If books are evolving to digital print I'm all for it but don't it be the only form of reading!
We all know that not everyone learns the same so having a variety of tools to assist in reading, writing and etc. is very important! I know there will be some people who get hold to digital books and fall completely in love, then there will be people like myself, who need words on a page when reading in order to get the full effect. We can't expect for things to stay the same, we know that technology is vastly changing everything but we still do have to take into consideration, it isn't always easy for everyone to embrace the "change".
If exposed in the right way, I see a great future for digital text. It would be a great tool to use anywhere people would be and it would be a great alternative for non-readers or people who struggle with sitting down reading fine print. I personally can't wait until I'll be able to introduce this as a reading alternative to a student, to better assist them.
I wonder though... I mentioned earlier the comparison between music and books. When downloading became available it was important to back track all the music possible so that they could be listened to too! If digital books/print turn into the modern day paper back book, will the same thing be done? What will happen to things like a printed bible or important writings like the constitution? Maybe I'm thinking too much into it but I do wonder?