Assistive Technology Benefits All Students

I found this article to be extremely interesting just because I would like to get some of this assistive technology in my classroom. I know some of the technology is available to special education students in the special education classroom. However, I would like to get the technology for my classroom. I was especially intrigued by the programs that would read highlighted words to students and the program that allowed students to scan books and have them read. Some of the special education teachers in my school are writing a grant for the classroom amplifying system. I am excited about the prospect of using that system. I also like how the founder of the company was motivated by his own and his child’s needs. He is actually making technology that would be helpful to him.

Filtering Software

I believe filtering software is absolutely necessary in an elementary school classroom. The only question is how the filtering software is managed. So many malicious websites are set up so they may be found by accident (or on purpose) by kids. Unfortunately, you often cannot perform web searches without bringing up a whole list of inappropriate sites. I am sure many people would relish the thought of their inappropriate material making its way into schools.
I also believe some important management steps must be taken. First, the teacher should take the responsibility to teach students ethical ways of using technology, how to avoid trouble, and what to do if you accidentally do something wrong. No matter how carefully teachers monitor, students will find a way to misbehave. Second, a mechanism must be in place to easily make blocked sites available for teachers. I actually had a website specifically created to support one of the classroom textbooks blocked because the web address was too long. The website is still blocked. I find that ridiculous.

In Classroom , Computers Often Yield More Glitz Than Guts

I completely agree with the article. The debate over whether or not technology is increasing student learning will not be decided by what type of technology is in the classroom. Instead, the important factor is how the technology is used. If students are left to do what they will with the technology in the classroom, not much learning will occur. Teachers must find meaningful and productive ways to use the technology in the classroom. Technology used in this way can introduce students to worlds they may not be able to visit and help students/teachers navigate around obstacles to learning. For instance, in my previous class about balanced literacy, I learned about TrackStar. TrackStar allows you to make a guided tour through internet sites about a topic. TrackStar allows you to annotate each site so you can specifically communicate to students what you want them to do at each site. This type of activity can significantly enrich learning in the classroom. Instead of just having students google “weather,” I can give them specific websites they will find useful about weather.

ISTE Standards Self-Evaluation

While my students get to experience many of the activities in NETS performance indicators for grades 3-5 (I teach 4th grade), we only have the opportunity to significantly touch on a few of the standards. We have many opportunities to use input/output devices, discuss issues with technology, determine what technology is useful for a situation, and determining the accuracy and bias of an online resource. While I consider myself at least a somewhat technology literate person, I could do a better job of providing opportunities to my students in the classroom. A day does not go by that I don't use technology to enhance learning in my classroom. Of course, some days are more effecient than others. I do a pretty could job of achieving the majority of the indicators for teachers, but I could, of course, do much better. I find that teachers (especially this teacher) are usually hindered by either the lack of a specific type of technology or the overwhelming nature of the technology that is possessed.