Journal 4: One Size Never Fits All

(NETS-T 1)

Courduff, J. (2011). One size never fits all. Learning and Leading with Technology, 38(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-june-july-2011.aspx

In One Size Never Fits All Jennifer Courduff she discusses that using technology in the classroom can be a useful learning tool for children with special needs, that it may indeed cater to individual learning styles of the children. In the Etiwanda School District in California Teachers went through a technology integration program where they were to learn how to use technological tools to their and their students' advantages in the classroom. Such technology provides an avenue for students to succeed at what they struggling with before. Jennifer Courduff provides an example of a fifth grader named Shannon, who in 5th grade, was reading at a prekindergarten level. With this technology Shannon was able to digitally narrate a story which she was not able to do before because her low reading level was a hinderance in her writing ability. Now, she is able to truly express herself and her own creative ingenuity. While it took years for the teachers to fully develop their confidence in using technology as a tool in their classroom, the end result was well worth it because technology is able to address the many and various needs that children have.

Question 1: Lack of time and funding are the biggest reasons that schools lack innovative technology. Do you think it is a valid reason to miss out on these opportunities, and what can be done to help support such programs in schools?

The success stories that came out of Etiwanda, California are so inspiring that it think many schools who can afford it, or who have parental support should try to implement this into their schools. It will take a lot of time for the teachers to become efficient and knowledgable in the technologies but the end result i think is very worth it. The best way to raise funds is to always ask parents for help. If their is not a lot of parental support in the district the next thing to do would be to fundraise. And if the their is enough support from the staff, the teachers can take time out of their evenings, weekends, or summers to begin the training process. The results show that such training can be very beneficial for the student, and that makes it all worth it.

Question 2: Without knowing a lot about Special Needs students, why do you think it is that technology can make them so successful in their learning?

I do not have a lot of personal experience working with special needs students so I cannot specifically identify what it is about technology that allows them to be so successful. I would however venture a guess that it is able to capture their interest. Technology is often very hands on, though virtually so. I think this adds an element of interest for the student. In any case, something that is captivating for the student is likely to stick with them, which in turn will allow them to build upon what have already learned. This would account for why Shannon was able to increase her reading abilities so drastically in such a short period of time.