This week, I really pulled from Chapter 6 by Picciano in regards to how I teach. I teach using many different types of differentiated instruction. I use instructional games and problem solving type games to help my students relate by using their visual learning to connect that to the real world. I have also enjoyed using CDs, books on tape, and DVDs as media sources to help my students in the classroom. Being a special education teacher, I have learned that all students, whether regular education or special education learn differently. We must use different techniques with our students to succeed. In the articles from Using Technology to Differentiate Instruction, there are numerous websites that teachers can use online for their students to learn. These websites have different lessons that can be used based on the type of learner the student is. Also, the Education World website gives numerous websites for teachers and students who have special needs. These resources are so helpful in the classroom. I have found that teaching students is rewarding in many ways. What I love is that God gives us the tools to teach ALL students, no matter what their abilities. We serve an amazing God. I will leave you with the Bible verse that I think of daily while teaching. Proverbs 22:6 states, "Train up a child in the way he should go;even when he is old he will not depart from it." (The Holy Bible:ESV, 2001).
References:
Picciano, A. G. (2011). Educational Leadership and
Planning For Technology (Fifth ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey:
Pearson Education, Inc.
Starr, L. (2010, September). Teaching Special
Kids: Online Resources for Teachers. Retrieved from Education World.
Tenkely, K. (2014). Using Technology to
Differentiate Instruction. Retrieved from Teaching Community:Where
Teachers Meet and Learn.
I use technology daily in my class. Being a special education teacher, I use input and output devices as a form of communication for my students. We have adaptive switches for students who have physical disabilities. There is so much different types of technology that I cannot begin to imagine. Picciano states in chapter 3,"For a variety of other challenges including hearing, speech, and multiple disabilities, technology is also being used to provide the primary means of communication. Special education students are able to have computers in their homes, on their wheelchairs, and in minivans, in addition to the classroom. For many of them, especially those with severe physical disabilities but unimoaired brain functionality, the computer can become the primary means of communicating with the world around them,"(Picciano, 2014, p.40). It amazes me how these students can use technology and how far it has come. I don't know where these kids would be without technology to show us what they know and a way to communicate. God is good.
Hey everyone. My name is Adrienne Chancey. I live in Tennessee. I am a special education teacher for Cleveland City Schools. It is my dream job. I teach students who have a wide range of disabilities. I teach grades K-1. I have been in the field of education for nearly 9 years, but been a lead teacher for 4. I have been married to my husband, Bryan, for almost 8 years. He is a sheriff's deputy on patrol. We are in the process of buying a family farm. We have 4 horses, 5 dogs, and 8 cats. We do a lot of animal rescue. The farm is really just for our horses and animals to run. We enjoy pretty much anything outdoors like fishing, camping, four-wheeling. We spend a lot of time with family and friends. I am in my last semester here at Liberty. I will graduate either early winter or fall with my Master's in Teaching and Leadership. I have enjoyed my time at Liberty. I look forward to learning from everyone in this Educational Technology class as we use technology daily with my students in the classroom.
