Collaboration has graduated from face-to-face meetings with co-workers, to online blogging between individuals who share the same passions and hobbies. Whether the online community discusses education or gardening, helpful collaboration, suggestions and advice still occurs. The online communities that I am most interested in are advice columns. Blog spots that I can gain handy information from that is given by people who share and have experienced my passions. This is why I chose to follow http://lifeinspecialeducation.com. These bloggers have shared the same experiences as me. They also provide fellow bloggers with beneficial educational resources, advice and links. My blog was created as a combination of a journal to document my experiences and to provide others with advice that will benefit them as an educator. I am also open to gaining information from others about how they would or have tackled a situation that I may need advice on.
Blogging is the new collaboration between others.
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Friday, April 5, 2013
Technology That is Used in a Lesson.
Do you view technology within a lesson as a lazy way for a teacher to teach students information? Or do you view technology within a lesson as a way to gain students' attention, teach in a more creative way and teach according to students' interest?
Me, I use technology to teach according to my students' interest. If they are interested in the presentation of the lesson, they will grasp more knowledge. I also use technology to gain and keep my students' attention. Teaching in the front of the class to students with moderate to severe disabilities and lack of attending skills can be rough. I have learned that. Before I started to use technology in my classroom to introduce or review a lesson, I found my staff and I spending almost the whole lesson redirecting the students attention back on me. When I started using technology, my students were more focused and willing to participate in the lesson. To them, it was like watching an interactive cartoon on TV. To me, it was a different, but successful way of presenting a lesson to my students.
How do you view technology within a lesson?
Me, I use technology to teach according to my students' interest. If they are interested in the presentation of the lesson, they will grasp more knowledge. I also use technology to gain and keep my students' attention. Teaching in the front of the class to students with moderate to severe disabilities and lack of attending skills can be rough. I have learned that. Before I started to use technology in my classroom to introduce or review a lesson, I found my staff and I spending almost the whole lesson redirecting the students attention back on me. When I started using technology, my students were more focused and willing to participate in the lesson. To them, it was like watching an interactive cartoon on TV. To me, it was a different, but successful way of presenting a lesson to my students.
How do you view technology within a lesson?
How I Reached a Shy Student to Learn About What They Know.
Two years ago, I received a new student in my class. I taught a kindergarten through second grade Autism SDC. This kid was in kindergarten. He had some speech, but would use it to hum or sing songs. His father would always sing to him. This student was also Echolalic. His mother would always tell me how smart he was. It was just hard for me to see what he could do because he never wanted to do any work. He would just sit with his head tilted down. His mother once told me that at home, he would only write with a dry erase marker and on a dry erase board. So, I thought to myself, "Ok. I will modify his handwriting lesson." I started him off on a dry erase board. Next, I let him write with a large crayon on paper that was placed on a mini dry erase board. Then, I gradually moved to a beginner's pencil. It worked! The student eventually started writing with a regular size pencil. His handwriting was neat too. Wow!
On the rug during circle time and other academic lessons, this student would sit quietly with his head tilted down. One day, I was teaching the students about patterns. After presenting my lesson, I sent the students to work in their groups. I had this student stay on the rug. I was determined to make this student work and show me what he could do. So, I pulled my chair close to him and sat in front of him with some bear counters. That didn't work, because he would not look up. So, I thought to myself for a moment. I sat down on the floor right in front of him and slid each bear counter under him and in his view. What do you know! This student started working on the two colored pattern with me. He did great! Wow! After working on a few lessons down at his level and in his view, his head began to gradually rise over the days. He was starting to feel more confident and comfortable.
As educators, we have to be creative and literally get down to the students' levels, to find ways to reach our students. We have to work with their comfort levels and teach them according to their learning styles. Every child is capable of learning. It's just a matter of how information is presented to them.
On the rug during circle time and other academic lessons, this student would sit quietly with his head tilted down. One day, I was teaching the students about patterns. After presenting my lesson, I sent the students to work in their groups. I had this student stay on the rug. I was determined to make this student work and show me what he could do. So, I pulled my chair close to him and sat in front of him with some bear counters. That didn't work, because he would not look up. So, I thought to myself for a moment. I sat down on the floor right in front of him and slid each bear counter under him and in his view. What do you know! This student started working on the two colored pattern with me. He did great! Wow! After working on a few lessons down at his level and in his view, his head began to gradually rise over the days. He was starting to feel more confident and comfortable.
As educators, we have to be creative and literally get down to the students' levels, to find ways to reach our students. We have to work with their comfort levels and teach them according to their learning styles. Every child is capable of learning. It's just a matter of how information is presented to them.
Exposing Your Students to Childhood Events (Trick or Treating, Easter Egg Hunt, etc.)
I love to host various holiday parties and activities for my students. I do it because unfortunately some kids are only exposed to the TV, their homes and school.
On Halloween, I hosted an on campus "Trick or Treat" activity for my students. My students got to dress up in their costumes and walk around the campus to collect treats and goodies from volunteer staff and parents.
On March 28th, I hosted an Easter Egg Hunt for my students. My verbal students were so excited that they asked me about the Easter Egg Hunt and party for a whole week and a half. My students were so happy and having so much fun as they walked the courtyard looking for Easter Eggs. I love to expose my students to these type of childhood events. Seeing their smiles and faces light up is priceless. I love it!
On Halloween, I hosted an on campus "Trick or Treat" activity for my students. My students got to dress up in their costumes and walk around the campus to collect treats and goodies from volunteer staff and parents.
On March 28th, I hosted an Easter Egg Hunt for my students. My verbal students were so excited that they asked me about the Easter Egg Hunt and party for a whole week and a half. My students were so happy and having so much fun as they walked the courtyard looking for Easter Eggs. I love to expose my students to these type of childhood events. Seeing their smiles and faces light up is priceless. I love it!
School and Work! Ahh!!
Starting a new teaching job and finishing up classes to clear my credential has been a bit overwhelming at times. Teaching, IEP Documents, IEP Meetings, Progress Reports and Administering assessments. Ahh! Staff Meetings, School Fundraisers, Parent-Teacher Communication Journals, Updating IEP Documents with assessment information (CAPA, Alternate to the CELDT). Ahh! Trying to stay sane and take time out for myself, which I have not been able to do in the past. It's pretty tough, but it must be done. This is why I look forward to all of my vacations and days off. Even though I am not completely relaxing due to my own school work, my time off is well needed. At least I will have a lot less things to complete. Although, some things may not stop for you, you must stop for yourself. Give your brain a little breather and gain some sanity. You will be able to accomplish more and think clearer when you take a step back for a moment.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)