Technology Usage in Special Education Classrooms

 Technology is significantly important in education, especially in special education classrooms. The use of technology in a special education classroom not only helps the students educationally but in many other ways as well. Types of technology used in a special education classroom include virtual reality, tablets, touchscreen computers, NOVA chate devices, and more. NOVA chat devices I feel are a crucial part of implementing technology in a classroom. This device helps a student that struggles with communication the ability to communicate and express emotions with others. This device provides images of objects that an individual may want or different facial expressions to imitate emotions. Once the student chooses which image they want to communicate they simply tap the image and the device verbalized out loud what the image is imitating. There are several ways that technology can be helpful for a student in a special education classroom including greater independence, less anxiety, improved connection with classmates and teachers, and increased academic performance. Overall, technology is a great resource to have in a classroom. 

Students using tablets in a classroom. 

My experience with technology usage in a classroom has really changed my perspective on how important technology can be. While in school, I didn't have that many opportunities to use technology so I never understood the importance. Now that I am older and have observed technology being used I have a different perspective and understand the importance. Technology can help students succeed in many different ways academically and independently. I plan to implement technology in my future classroom by utilizing communication devices in order for my students to communicate with me and other classmates. Another source of technology is a SMARTboard. I plan to implement practicing the days of the week, months, holidays, weather, and emotions using the smartboard. This method can help the student academically and also help their motor skills by being able to grip and use the pointers/pens on the board. Technology can really impact students and I am glad that I came to that realization. Children are becoming experts at using technology and they enjoy using it so why not utilize something students enjoy and implement it into learning academics. 

Parental Involvement in Special Education

 Importance of Parental Involvement in Special Education:

Parental involvement in special education is tremendously important. It is beneficial to help the child reach their educational goals. An important part that parents need to be involved in is the child's Individual Education Plan (IEP) team. The IEP team's role is to express the needs and form educational goals for an individual child. Parents know their children the best and know what type of support their child needs. Another great thing about parental involvement in the IEP team is that they can advocate their own goals they would like to see their child succeed at. Parents can also help a teacher with the case history of their child. They can identify what techniques work best for their child and which ones do not work the best. An additional thing is that parental involvement can help parents incorporate techniques that the child has learned at school and practice them at home. 

My Beliefs/Experience:

Mother and son with disability sharing
a loving moment or touching
foreheads

I completely agree that parents need to be involved in their children's education, especially special education. It is empowering to the children to see their parents involved in seeing them succeed. From experience, it can make any child lose motivation for schooling when they feel their parents do not care. A parent's involvement is one of the most important things to a child. I believe that parental involvement has many benefits when it comes to education. In a special education classroom, it can be extremely difficult to completely understand and gain the trust of a child. With the help of parents, they can give teachers great and very helpful information in order to assess their children to the best of their ability. The sharing of information can be beneficial to parents too. Teachers can share milestones and challenges with the parents and they can also work with those milestones and challenges at home on their own. A child can feel more comfortable at home with their parents and may be open to trying new things. In conclusion, I feel parental involvement is not only helpful to the child but to the teacher and the parents themselves. 

IDEA/Special Education

Defining IDEA/Special Education

IDEA/Special Education is something that has been around for many years. Special education is a form of education designed to ease curriculum for better understanding for a student with a disability. Even though, a lot of people know what special education is, a lot do not know what IDEA stands for. IDEA which stands for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is a law that was created in 1975. This law was passed to ensure a free appropriate education for any eligible child. This includes special education and any other special services needed.

Girl with Down Syndrome happily being
 included in a classroom with other students.

 IDEA is important in the education field because it ensures that every child no matter their disability can not be turned away from receiving the education needed. No matter the disability nor challenges faced the child still is eligible to receive an education. 

My experience

My experience with IDEA/Special Education is very significant in my life. In high school, I was given the opportunity to volunteer as a peer tutor in one of the special education classrooms in the school. At first, I did not know what to expect but I quickly realized my purpose in advocating for students with disabilities. This experience is one of the main reasons that I chose to become a Special Education teacher. The feeling of seeing a child reach a certain Individualized Education Program (IEP) goal is one of the best feelings in the world. The ability for a child to reach an IEP goal would not be possible without IDEA. IDEA allows children no matter their disability a chance to earn an education and develop new skills. IDEA also allows an opportunity for inclusion. Being included can help the child have more confidence in themselves and allow other students a chance to learn more about disabilities. Before, this law children with disabilities were seen as a punishment to the parents but, now children with disabilities are seen as an inspiration. IDEA not only opens gates for greater opportunities for education it also allows the children to show their own unique abilities!