They may have special needs and learn on a different level than the students in a general education classroom, but they are still children growing up in the world of Web 2.0. My future plans include designing a program where my students spend the school year learning to do their assignments on the computer in order to help their progression. Students will learn new ways of expressing themselves and will use the tools that Web 2.0 has to offer, in an effort to develop higher order thinking skills. They will receive the assistive technology that they need and will be able to try out new devices that may assist them even though the device might not be intended for their particular disability. Students will receive accommodation through computer-based technology. They will receive lesson enhancements and remediation in the form of games and activities on the computer.
All of these things will be put into practice, allow the students to gain the self confidence to be able to do it on their own. This will lead into my long term goal… Overcome regression.
The average student loses as much as 40% of what they have learned during the school year, over the summer break. For students with mental handicaps or severe learning disabilities, to lose as much as 70% is not uncommon. I want to overcome that gap. By designing a distance education program that allows the students to keep their minds actively engaged, I will be able to help them retain what they have learned.
I found a great 3 part article that provides a great introduction to Web 2.0, its tools and its students. I plan to use what I have learned from these Blogs and to assemble a program that will work for my students. Back to School with the Class of Web 2.0 gives a lot of information that will help me to achieve my goal. Here, Brian Benzinger provides a categorized list of the tools available and identifies what each tool can do. Keep in mind the blog was posted in 2006 and many things have changed since then; there are more tools like these and some of the ones listed are no longer available, but it is still a good starting point.
Benzinger, B (2006, September 29). Back to School with the Class of Web 2.0. Solution Watch, Retrieved April 03, 2008, from http://www.solutionwatch.com/512/back-to-school-with-the-class-of-web-20-part-1/
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The issue of continual available recourses is also a concern of mine with nurses and nursing students. During semester breaks it is not uncommon for students to take a few weeks to get their bedside skills back up. Our college will be offering on demand video reviews of skills starting in the fall. These will include such skills as changing a sterile dressing to inserting a nasogastric tube. This will allow for review/remediation prior to the start of the new term.
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