Student Capabilities

I teach every student in the school, and have come upon some challenging problems with technology and special needs students. I believe that when allowing all of our students to participate in Internet projects, they are many things that need to be considered:

Special Needs Students

When talking about special needs students, there are three categories of students that fit under this broad umbrella: gifted, physically handicapped, and learning disabled. When gifted students are given an Internet project, the classroom teacher should expect more in the way of creativity, critical thinking, and attention to detail. These students can often work individually and on their own. When teaching students that are physically handicapped, it is important to accommodate them so they are comfortable working on the computer, this may include special seating for access to the keyboards, or designating someone to type for these students. Learning disabled students also pose challenges that are easily overcome. Often, it is easiest to pair these students with another student. This allows them to learn but also to share responsibility for a project that they may not be able to complete on their own. Overall, all of these groups of students seem to welcome technology into the classroom and excel with it.

For more information on teaching special needs students (all books found on Amazon.com), click on these links below:

Adaptive Technology for Special Human Needs (Suny Series, Computers in Education) by Arlene Brett, Eugene F. Provenzo (Contributor)

Adaptive Technology for the Internet : Making Electronic Resources Accessible to All by Barbara T. Mates, Doug Wakefield, Judith M. Dixon

Computer-Assisted Instruction for Students at Risk for ADHD, Mild Disabilities, or Academic Problems by Renet L. Bender, William N. Bender

Exceptional Solutions: Computers and Students with Special Needs by Merrill C. Sitko (Editor), Carolyn J. Sitko (Editor)

Technology for Students with Disabilities: A Decision Maker's Resource Guide

Disadvantaged Students

Data from national surveys suggest that American schools still have less than sufficient resources to allow students to use technology for the uses of collecting, analyzing, displaying, and communicating information. Many of my students come from disadvantaged homes in which there is no computer. Currently, I see my students for twelve days and then there project must be done. When dealing with those students, that don't have a computer at home to meet deadlines or download extra gifs at home, I make every possible attempt to give them extra time. This includes coming to school early, working through lunches, or staying after school. It is important that every child has equal access to technology. It is their livelihood. For more studies concerning disadvantaged students and computer use, click on the links below:

http://www.iste.org/Research/RoadAhead/community.html

http://www.edweek.org/tm/1998/04monke.h09

http://www.ed.gov/databases/ERIC_Digests/ed339400.html

These two populations of learners should definitely be remembered, and more focus needs to be put on looking at, how we can teach every student in America.

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