Four months ago, my idea of technology integrated in education was very simple. I had no idea about the different options, considerations, and affects of certain technologies on a student or a whole classroom. Technology is not something you can just stick in a classroom and expect to work miracles. Educators and students need to be trained to use the technology. Lots of pre-planning needs to be done before technology is chosen and bought to be used in the classroom.
When considering the idea of Universal Design for Learning, classrooms should be using technology. Technology is apart of our everyday lives and it also helps incorporate learning in the classroom. There are two different types of technology that I think should be used in the classroom. The first is technology for individual students. Students that need assistive technology, have their right to receive it. Students may have communication disabilities, mobility disabilities, or cognitive disabilities. Technology may be the right answer for these students. This type of technology should assist them in progressing in the general education classroom. This technology has to compensate for something the student has difficulty doing. Whether that be math computation, reading, vocally speaking, or writing. The second type of technology is technology that a whole classroom can use. These types of technology should enhance their learning experience, not take place of instruction. When I think of classroom technology I think of computers, Internet, SmartBoards, etc. These tools provide a different type of learning experience as opposed to just using a textbook. They provide more visual and interactive learning.
The use of technology can positively or negatively impact the educational experience of students with disabilities. The piece of technology has to be specifically chosen for the particular student. You can’t just give every student who has difficulty vocally communicating a Dynavox and expect it to work for them. There is so much that goes into choosing the right form of assistive technology for a student. They include things like consideration, implementation, and evaluation. If the technology compensates for a task a student has difficulty completing and the student can operate the technology correctly than the student can have a very positive and rewarding experience. Outcomes of using technology with a student with disabilities can again have a positive or negative outcome. It is all about considering the student and their strengths and needs before using a technology. If a technology is the right fit for a student, a student should be able to have the same outcomes of a student who didn’t have difficulty with that task.
Effective technology for students with disabilities looks different for each individual. Effective technology can be a piece of tape for one student or a thousand dollar device for another. Technology caters to the student. The student doesn’t cater to the technology.
My views on technology have completely becmme more detailed. I have also learned that technology should not be the priority in the classroom. The priority should be the student’s needs and then the technology is based off the student. It’s not about price, how cool it is, or who wants it. It’s about helping a student do something the student had trouble doing before. Not all technology works for every student. Each case is individual and sometimes the technology may not be the right fit. With the right research, data, and planning, technology can work wonders for every student.
I completely agree with you! Technology has come such a long way that we must embrace it and help others to use it. Students may have difficulty learning how to use it at first, but it is our duty as educators to teach them and allow them to grow. Each student is unique and deserves the same learning opportunity as everyone else, and assistive technology makes that possible.
ReplyDeleteAs a person who works with technology and education, I can say that simple concepts, like computer based lessons, are abandoned within our school systems, for the most part. You're starting to see it in more affluent schools, but it seems to be neglected in the earlier years.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to play devil's advocate here and say technology is destroying much needed skills. Handwriting, for one and math for the other. The ready availability of technology doesn't allow students to learn skills we take for granted.
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