final reflection

Thinking back when I was considering registering for this course, assistive technolgy meant programs like Kursweil. Expensive programs that were not user friendly and were not well recived by most students who would benefit from them. As is the case with most teachers, dealing with assitive tech was the domain primarily of the resource or learning center teacher.

The hope was that I would be introduced to software that would enable me to reach all levels of learners in my classroom. My experience this year is that more students with special needs are ending up in my classroom. Why is this case? Initially, cuts in funding to EPA allocation made the grouping of special needs students necessary. In the past,  each student with special needs may have had access to one EPA. In my classroom today, I have four Learning Center students; three who are considered autistic, two of these three are non-verbal and one of these students needs support with language. They all have one EPA to rely on for support. In a class of thirty students, finding activities tailored towards their needs is challenging to say the least!

This course has help me to realize that there is help available! Without sounding like an Apple salesman, the IPAD should be accessible to all students with special needs, depending upon individual circumstances. The number of apps available to engage these students is unbelievable! The key here is the creativty and imagination put into the making of these apps. The underappreciated factor here as well is the "coolness' factor- kids love technology and the IPAD is a device that is readily acceptable by all students. This is such a positive for special needs students; to look the same as everyone else. 

My goal in the future is to find a way to incorpate these devices into my classroom. The first step is to apply for funding which would enble me to have several IPADS and them load them up with apps! Twenty first century learners deserve twenty first century devices to enable their learning.