Inclusive technologies should provide a classroom where every student feels as though they are at the same learning level as the rest of the class. Even if some students find some subjects/tasks more difficult to understand and/or complete, the use of these technologies will help them perform in the classroom better. Some of the inclusive technologies available include books on tape, flash or face cards, and mouse alternatives.
Books on tape can be a great tool for both gifted children and children who are slower readers and/or have difficulty with comprehension. Books on tape would be a great technology for gifted students who are just starting to read, like kindergarten and first graders. If I was teaching kindergarten and I had a student who was at a higher reading level than the rest of the class, I would have that student reading along with the book on tape while I worked with the other students. This would keep the advanced student from becoming bored with the lower level reading that his or her classmates are working on. I would also use books on tape in my classroom with students who are struggling with the reading level that the rest of the class is working on. If I had a student who was having trouble reading but could understand things that were read to him or her, a book on tape would be used for that student to improve their reading level.
Flash cards and face cards would be great tools for me to use with a student who has autism, Asperger Syndrome, or PDD (pervasive developmental disorder). Students with these disorders/syndromes typically have a difficult time socializing and communicating. By having these cards, those students could tell me what they are thinking, how they are feeling, and what they need by giving me a card with the corresponding picture or words. Face cards are just what they sound like, cards with people’s faces on them. These cards usually show an emotion so the student with Asperger Syndrome, for example, could be able to read people’s emotions by their facial expressions (Face Cards).
Small hands, physical disabilities, and the lacking of fine motor skills can make using a computer mouse very difficult. Using mouse alternatives such as the BIGtrack can help navigating a computer easier. The BIGtrack is a circular device with a large rolling ball in the middle and two buttons on the sides. It is designed for children who haven’t developed their fine motor skills well enough to move and click a standard computer mouse. It is a large device and can be placed on a desk or in the child’s lap. It can be used on both PC and Mac computers and plugs into the USB port. If I teach in the kindergarten through second grade range, I would seriously think about getting something like this for projects on the computer.
By providing inclusive technologies in my classroom, I hope to make all my students feel as though they are not behind the class in any of the lessons. Without some kind of inclusive technology, some students would feel overwhelmed and frustrated because they are a little slower or need extra help on some topics. Inclusive technology also keeps the gifted children challenged and not become bored with class assignments that are too easy for them.
"BIGtrack." Inclusive Technology Ltd. 11 Sep 2008 http://www.inclusive.co.uk/catalogue/acatalog/bigtrack.html.
"Face Cards." Dunedin Multimedia 5, September 2007 11 Sep 2008 http://www.dunedinmultimedia.com/face-cards.html.
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1 comment:
Bri, a nice post with both reasons to include technology and specific examples of how you would use it, and who it would benefit. It is great to see the kind of learning activities you would plan to make your classroom inclusive. Jo
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