Good for All, Essential for Some: Technology to Motivate, Engage, Teach, and Challenge in the Inclusive Classroom

OR…..Crap I Learned Along The WayColette Boynton MECT 2014

cboynton@csd17.orgcboyn203@yahoo.com

• Lessons Learned

• Why It Is Important

• How Technology Can Help

Attention/Auditory

• http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/misunderstoodminds/attention.html

• Critical for students with disabilities to have strong classroom management

• http://www.classdojo.com/

Easy-Quick-Useful Data Collection on Behaviors Using Apps

Useful for collecting data for IEP Goals AND/OR documenting behavior prior to student service referrals.

http://www.online-stopwatch.com/classroom-timers/*Transitioning*Staying on task*Tolerating unpreffered activities*Time Outs*Promoting Independence

http://www.reallygoodstuff.com/talk-point-electronic-recorders/p/160809/?gclid=CPzZudn0vLwCFa9aMgod-CoAzQ

Differentiation of Classroom Work

Edhelper• All subject areas• Great for Sub plans• Takes time to set up, but once

done saves time • Free samples-$39.98/year

• http://www.edhelper.com

Vocabulary City• https://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=EW3WL4djHV4

• Spelling and Vocabulary• Can individualize based on

the student• Interactive and motivating

games• Free-$50.00 for premium

classroom (25 students)

Reading Difficulties

It’s important to find motivating text and look for auditory options when availablehttp://www.techsupportalert.com/free-books-audio

Graphic Novels of popular books: Twilight, Redwall, The Hobbit

*Appeal to visual learners*Fonts are more easily decoded*Not at intimidating

• Motivating Reluctant Readers

Reading is “boring” Discouraged by too

much text

• Choose Your Own Adventure Apps

• http://www.148apps.com/tag/choose-your-own-adventure/

Interactive Fiction************MOTIVATION*****************• Skeleton Creek Series:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hpan3abKktI

• Infinity Ring: http://infinityring.scholastic.com/

• Spirit Animals: http://spiritanimals.scholastic.com/

• Tech for Writing• Neo 2 Alphasmart• Avoids distractions of a computer/laptop$30-$40 on Ebay

Speech to Text and Text to Speechhttp://www.talktyper.com/

Aps* iVoice*NaturalReader

Math http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/misunderstoodminds/math.html

• Basic skills practice

• Timez Attack—FREE w/progress reportshttp://www.bigbrainz.com/

• Times Tables the Fun Wayhttp://www.citycreek.com/Times-Tables-the-Fun-Way-Activity-E-Book-p/abtebook.htm

MULTI-STEP PROBLEMShttp://www.pbs.org/wgbh/misunderstoodminds/math.html

Interactive Boards-Hands On Equationshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_83dLoPDTu0

• Visualize math concepts• Hands-on concrete

Notes, Absences, Missing Work-Show Me App

*Great Way to record direct instruction so students can review OR for absent students*Students can use it to verbalize their thought process during Math problems

• Remind 101-homework, home communication,

• https://www.remind101.com/

Access to lessons and absent work• Planbook.com• https://www.planbook.com/welcome.html– Allows more you to see other teachers lesson and

collaborate online– Gives student and parents access to the information

that you choose– Allows you to create links to websites, files, and

worksheets

What to Take Away• There are ways to utilize technology in your classroom,

lessons, and assignments w/o “dumbing down” curriculum for the general learners, but that can be significant in allowing those with special needs to access and input the information that they are processing.

• Technology is a tool we use for learning-it does not replace high-quality, personalized teaching any more than the radio, movie, TV, or e-readers will replace a good book!

cboynton@csd17.org