Educational Impairment

In the traditional classroom, found in the majority of schools in this area, there is a teacher leading some type of instruction or activity, and a group of students performing the task set forth by the teacher. In most classrooms students with special needs, such as a visual impairment, can have simple fixes for in class activities. For example, they can be sat in the front of the classroom. But, as a general education teacher, I feel unprepared for a student with any other special needs that may require more than the basic seating change. I have had students in the past which needed magnified copies of handouts. I’ve also recorded class notes in a word document for students who have difficulty writing or reading the computer screen.

Even with these technologies, if a student were to come into my room and be considered legally blind or deaf, I am not sure I would be prepared to accommodate that student.  I have spoken with some of my colleagues about this topic in the past and they feel as if they are not properly equipped with materials and support to adequately provide our students with an education they deserve. I think there needs to be more educational materials and support in schools for students with sensory deprivation disabilities. Without these, the impairments in our education system are allowing these students to fall through the cracks.

Technology for Students

Students who are classified on the autism spectrum, like other students with learning disabilities, have to overcome more obstacles than a “normal” student. Not only do they have to learn concepts that every student struggles with, but they also have to beat their own difficulties. With education in our country based on how well a student scores on a test, the concentration of our system tends to be on individuals performing on standardized tests. In the classroom, students should be given every opportunity to be successful. The issue of standardized testing inhibits this goal that every educator should have, but that is an entirely separate discussion.

With this fact present in our education system, it is important to give every student opportunities to do their best in the situation they are put in. I have experience with students on the autism spectrum. The difficulties they can have in a classroom are sometimes due to techniques we as teachers utilize. As the article “Technology helps children deal with autism in school,” by Janice Youngwit, discusses, structure is extremely important to minimize unexpected circumstances for the student. The repeated classroom procedure, in which students get their notebooks and answer an engagement question at the beginning of every class, allows students with autism (and every student for that matter) to begin getting their mind in the correct state to learn whatever concept will be covered that day. It also can reduce the amount of anxiety that a changing environment can bring upon a student.

Along with a simple procedural technique, other more technological based techniques can also be useful to help students understand difficult concepts. For example, Debbie Marsh describes this in her article, “Assistive Technology for Autism: Available at All Costs and for All Levels.” The use of videotaping in the classroom can assist in student retention. If a student is able to watch a video of some concept being covered they can predict what will happen in the video. The visual cues and language used can be revisited as needed.

All students deserve a chance to succeed, regardless of how faulty the system may be. The use of technology and skills such as organization, planning, and social interactions can assist and give all students the chance they warrant.