Thursday, March 27, 2014

Week 20

Technology in Education

For me technology is the fast way to find out information to help my students. Technology is also good to supplement my learning in an efficient way. You have right there on the spot good lectures, video, study skill tools, I can generate multiple choice tests, I can see labs in chemistry, any kind of thing that is useful.

When I need something for a student, before building one from scratch I look online to see if someone has already a shareable version. Good examples are math pages, lab pages, open university web pages, quizlet for study skills, and articles related to the subject I am teaching. In the process I am showing the kids how to be more independent and resourceful. For students with auditory learning a student can use a dictation software on their computer. Students can use that as a technological extension of their body. They can learn what they dictated by reviewing. If the are visual learners for math they can use a graphing calculator that allows the student to slide the curve by changing the equation. This allows the student to see more complex functions. 

Even though all of the technology is available to students (and many do plagiarize and that needs to be pointed out to each student if they use the technology incorrectly) teachers in the high schools and some colleges, consider the use of technology such as dictation, recording, smart pens for note taking as a form of cheating and do not allow students to use it in their classrooms. This is counter productive when these are excellent tools for a student to reach their full potential.  Technology is not a curse but a gift especially for children with learning differences by enhancing their learning through the technological tool. This is considered assistive technology. 

Teachers should have as part of their training, a class about how technology can benefit the students learning experience. 


This is a page by LD online with links about assistive technology.

Video about a high school student's story about using technology to support her dyslexia:

(I could not link this the regular way please click)

A lot of other students I have worked with are denied access to technology to support their learning. Consequently they are unfairly docked points because of their learning disabilities rather than because they did not study or complete an assignment to go to a party.

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