Technology, Teaching and Learning

Hello everyone,

I hope that summer has been kind to you all and that you are managing to find some time to enjoy being together with family and friends.

Today’s post is going to talk about technology and how we can use it in a special needs setting.

The iPad, a cool little techno gadget that has massive educational potential, if only you could afford one and figure out how it works!  What makes this newest Apple innovation so attractive is its size, the great graphics, it’s lightweight, extremely portable and there is a plethora of apps that make this little marvel extremely versatile.

Why should the iPad be considered for use in an educational setting with special needs students?  Recently in eLearn Magazine, I read an article written by Johnston and Stoll regarding the use of the iPad at the University of Cincinnati and wondered if a similar type program could be used to enhance learning in a special needs environment.  The university created an iPad lending program for the “instructors”.  This approach is innovative as it now puts the technology in the hands of the educators putting them on a more level platform with their students.  Johnston and Stall go on to explain that the iPad is “a tool, like any other, and in the classroom it must always be thought of as being in the service of pedagogy. The pedagogical foundations must be solid, because the tool will achieve no heights the underlying pedagogy will not support.”  The same logic can be applied when considering the use of the iPad in a special needs environment, so long as the pedagogy is sound, the users, both students and staff, will benefit from this interactive device. 

Here a link to a short video starring Dennis Lamme, a special needs student, who uses his iPad as en effective learning tool.  See what his parents and teachers have to say:

http://www.vimeo.com/16678024

Educators must be willing to take a risk, step out of their comfort zone and implement new technology, such as use of the iPad, to promote learner-centered and activity based learning.  An educational model that researchers Johnston and Stoll confirm consistently “results in better retention of knowledge and skills”.

Given the high price tag of the iPad a lending program is a creative way to ensure that the technology can be made accessible to a larger audience by limiting the time each participant is allowed to “borrow” the iPad.  Once users become proficient and parents see a benefit to their child, the use of this device might become more main stream.  As an educator in a special needs environment I am excited about the possibility of introducing my students to this technology and seeing what they can do with it as they never cease to amaze me with their creativity and intuitiveness when it comes to anything “clicky”.

Full article from eLearn Magazine: It's the Pedagogy, Stupid: Lessons from an iPad Lending Program

http://elearnmag.acm.org/archive.cfm?aid=1999656

Also check out this article from "Thinking Person's Guide to Autism" blog, an interesting read!
http://thinkingautismguide.blogspot.com/2010/11/ipads-near-miracles-for-kids-with.html

For my next post . . .  Doodle . . .  stay tuned!