Assess, Assist, Assign

Good teachers prepare their lessons with all of their students in mind. Because our classrooms are diverse, this might include modifications or accommodations for students with special needs. The Edutopia video, “Enabling Dreams” (2005) clearly portrays how special needs students use technology as a means of accomplishing their goals and dreams. Teachers must be more mindful of the unique challenges these students face in their daily lives and must also be creative in devising activities and assessments that are not only appropriate but also rigorous. In the ASSURE lesson plan the first step is to “Assess learners” (Heinich, Molenda, Russell, Smaldino, 1999). In the process of assessing our student learners, we must make sure that our special education learners are given the same opportunities for success.

This process of providing accommodations and modifications starts with planning lessons that are accessible to all. The teacher must assess whether the tools necessary for the lesson are readily available to all students. This may mean asking questions such as: Do all the students have computer access? Do all students have internet access? Do the students have the skills necessary to successfully complete the lesson? In terms of using technology, the teacher must also consider the ways in which technology may be able to enhance the lesson. If a student is blind, then what technology can the teacher use to make sure that the student will still be able to have access to the information needed to successfully complete the assignment? In many cases the teacher must think outside the box and conduct research to find the tools and gadgets (assistive technology) that will insure success for the special education learner. As stated in the Edutopia (2005) video, one of the reasons noted for why assistive technology is not implemented in some schools is because “people aren’t aware” of the technology that is out there. Teachers have to be the advocates for their students and search far and wide for the tools their students could use to be successful learners.

With or without these tools, teacher must make it a point to plan their lessons with the success of all students in mind. In most cases, the strategies used to insure the success of a special education student can be employed to also insure the success of general population students. Access to lap top computers definitely helped Susanna Martini who was born with cerebral palsy (Ellis, 2005). Using voice recognition software, Susanna is able to complete her university-level assignments. Lukas Bratcher, too, uses his computer to complete his assignments (Ellis, 2005). Technology definitely plays a central role in the success of these students and thus it is imperative that teachers realize that all educators must be aware that assistive technology exists to help them teach and to help the students learn.

The video of Mike Philips is yet another testament to the ways in which assistive technology has provided him with the means to better communicate with others, but also to hone his skills as a gamer, writer, reviewer, etc. (Assistiveware, 2007). Teachers must stop focusing on the limitations, but rather concentrate on the possibilities. As teachers we must enable the dreams of all our students.

What is important to remember is that teachers must strive to help their students to become successful learners. This does not mean that the bar should be set lower for the students, but rather that the teacher set the bar higher for him/herself to engage, inspire, and enthrall student learners.

Resources:
Assitiveware. (2007, May 30). One thumb to rule them all [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BhHwk9qSvI

Ellis, Ken. (2005, February 02). Assistive technology: Enabling dreams [Video file]. Retrieved from Edutopia website: http://www.edutopia.org/assistive-technology-enabling-dreams-video

Heinich, Molenda, Russell, Smaldino (1999). Instructional media and technologies for learning. Retrieved from The Assure Model website: http://www2.unca.edu/education/edtech/techcourse/assure.htm