Selecting Education Applications to Meet Student’s Goals and Objectives

Lately I have been focusing on assistive technology in literacy (reading and writing). Math requires that students have a good understanding of number sense and basic facts. We will now look at the ways a computer and the internet can enhance instruction in math for students with disabilities.

Good Educational Applications on the computer are effective tools for students with disabilities because they provide practice and repetition to help students to master the skills that they need. Teachers can also modify these applications to present information in a way that best meets the student’s individual learning characteristics. Because students with disabilities often struggle to “attend to a task without stimulation” (Carroll, 1993, as cited in Dell, Newton, & Petroff, 2012), computer applications keep them engaged in the learning.

Key Questions When Selecting Educational Applications

It is important for teachers to first understand the features of educational applications in order to best meet the needs of students with disabilities. In my previous post I explained that educational applications help students to master the skills that they need through practice and repetition. The next step is choosing applications that will best assist in meeting the student’s goals and objectives. When selecting education applications, teachers should ask themselves these questions:

·         What is the intended outcome of the use of the educational application?

·         Is the educational application likely to fulfill the intended purpose?

·         Can the educational applications be used as an alternative to traditional classroom activities to enhance student participation? (Dell, Newton, & Petroff, 2013)

Reflecting on these questions will allow the teacher to make the best decision regarding the use of education applications to enhance instruction of a student with a disability. When using educational applications in my classroom I am able to choose specific activities for them to use on the computer. This not only helps me to best meet each of my student’s needs, but to also use classroom time effectively.

REFERENCE

Dell, A. G., Newton, D. A., & Petroff, J. G. (2012). Assistive technology in the classroom: Enhancing the school experiences of students with disabilities. Upper Saddle River, N.J: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.