Final Reflections

Today was our last class for this course (and my last class for the degree!!!). Some observations and my final thoughts:

Observations from presentations:

There was a lot of discussion about how discrepancy in technology between various schools can put kids at a disadvantage. Karen spoke of scrambling around the school to find accessible wireless, using her own iPad! Maureen and Tiffany showed the writer plus - which some schools use as their "technology". Outdated technology, or no technology at all is putting kids with learning needs at a disadvantage.

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We also spoke about discrepancy between school boards as well in terms of technology. Barb spoke of the fact that she would hand Karen's student an iPad mini to use, simple. That won't happen in our reality. With access to so much technology, much of which is inexpensive isn't it neglectful of us to withhold this type of technology from our students with learning needs?

Makiko's presentation made me terrified to take on a learning center job in the future! It sounds quite difficult to organize the students and EPA support. Am I fully prepared to take on a position like that? What if I have no other option? Scary!

The question "how will it work?" came up quite often. If we make progress with kids in one school year then how can we be sure that the progress continues year after year? Maureen and Tiffany spoke of resistance from a teacher regarding using technology in the classroom. It's a shame to think that work done in one year can be undone in the future.

Final thoughts:

This course, as well as the Assistive Tech I course from the summer, has been extremely eye opening in many ways.
Time - The use of technology is definitely a better use of teacher time and student time. As teachers we can create communication boards much faster than before as well as design other opportunities for learning more efficiently using various apps.  Students with learning difficulties often spend copious amounts of time trying to produce work with pen/paper. With technology they can spend much more time creating work in ways that are more suited to their learning style. Why waste time if we don't have to?!
Motivation - Kids are motivated by technology. It's a fact. We should spend more time working with it than against it. Rules regarding "no technology" are archaic and are not in keeping with 21st century learners.
Discrepancy - This course revealed many discrepancy's between boards and schools. It is a shame that the kids in our classes who have the highest learning needs are the ones that are at a disadvantage in terms of access to technology.
UDL - As an educator the whole point of my job is to help kids learn, grow and become well rounded, educated citizens. The use of technology in the classroom helps to develop a classroom that is designed for universal learning.

I have a lot of work to do to continue to learn about new technologies, strive to access those technologies in my classroom and continue to grow as an educator. This course has helped me realize how much is available to me to use in my classroom to make learning more efficient and effective for all.