Artifact # 5
Technologies for Children with Special Needs
Context
First, I went to the control panel of my computer and changed the display
to high contrast. I also went to the mouse options and put on the
mouse pointer trails. I t was very interesting for me to see what
it might be like to have a disability in the classroom. It was helpful,
however, to know that personal computers are equipped to handle those cases.
Next, I went to the website, www.ldonline.org,
and read an article called, “First Person.” It was written by a LD
student about advice on being a LD student. I printed out a list
of questions and answers from Dr. Silver, a specialist on learning disabilities.
I also found a list of “ABCs of LD/ADD,” which I printed out to keep in
my portfolio. Finally, I went to the website, www.pat.org,
and looked for information that could be useful to me. This site
is called Pat’s Carolina Connection and is for disabled people who use
assistive technology. I found a list of assistive technology resources
that can be found in North Carolina.
Impact
As a future educator, I will need to know how to help students in my
classroom who may have disabilities. It is important for me to know
the best resources to offer for any situation that may arise. I can
use the high contrast display option to show nondisabled students what
it might be like to have a disability. I can use the LD online website
to help parents as well as teachers know how to help a learning disabled
student. I can use the Pat’s Carolina Connection website to find
the most beneficial resources in assistive technology in North Carolina.
Alignment
The technology search for children with special needs aligns with competency
13.2. As a future North Carolina elementary school teacher I
will need to know how to aid children in my classroom with special needs.
I want to make them feel as “normal” as possible, and these websites will
certainly help me succeed in that task.
Alignment to INTASC Standards
This artifact also aligns with INTASC
Standard 3. It was created to demonstrate my understanding that
teachers need to respect individual learning differences in students.
The artifact provides a list of information on ways to adapt classrooms
to students with disabilities. The information can be used to make
learning more meaningful for all diverse needs in the classroom