Hello everyone... thanks for checking out my blog! My name is Rachel Lessick and I am a special education teacher for students with multiple disabilities in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. I am currently working towards my Master's in Integrating Technology in the Classroom, which has influenced the creation of this blog. This is my first attempt at blogging, and I am extremely excited to get your feedback and responses. I plan on using this blog to provide others with resources and insight into using technology in the classroom, with an emphasis on tools for students with special needs.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Welcome to Rachel's Special EdTech Experience!
Hello everyone... thanks for checking out my blog! My name is Rachel Lessick and I am a special education teacher for students with multiple disabilities in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. I am currently working towards my Master's in Integrating Technology in the Classroom, which has influenced the creation of this blog. This is my first attempt at blogging, and I am extremely excited to get your feedback and responses. I plan on using this blog to provide others with resources and insight into using technology in the classroom, with an emphasis on tools for students with special needs.
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Hi Rachel! You know I am a fan of your blog! I do love the design! Do you have any specific ideas yet that you will be using on the blog? I am wondering if you have any good sites to share? I ask because our Special Education teachers are always looking for great resources and sites to use in their rooms and I would love to share your blog resources with them! :) Great job!
ReplyDeleteHi Ellen!
DeleteI plan on posting some great SMART Board resources (especially for special ed.), my favorite being SMART Exchange. This site allows teachers to search for SMART Board lessons that have been created by teachers, download them, and then tailor them (if necessary) to meet your exact needs. I use it every day! There are thousands of lessons for every grade and ability level. I download lessons on everything from money math to cooking to economics. It's awesome! If you haven't already checked it out, please do, and let me know how it goes! :) Thanks for the positive feedback!
Hi again Ellen,
DeleteSomehow, when trying to have my post read as a Reply rather than a Comment, I deleted your reply! I apologize! Feel free to repost, but do know that I read and appreciated what you had to say :)
Hi Rachel
ReplyDeleteI also love the SMARt Exchange site! I often use it as a starting point for many of my lessons. I have to be careful though, there are so many great lessons that I'm always tempted to check them all out, simply wanting to find the best, and also just to make sure I don't miss anything good. I've had to set a limit for myself to keep from spending too much time searching for one lesson. At this point I only allow myself to look at two pages of lessons unless I really haven't found anything useful (this has never happened). If I find two that look great, I do my best to combine the two. Do you have any strategies to keep from getting overwhelmed by the vast number of lessons plans available at this site?
Also, as a Special Ed teacher, have you had students who were unable to manipulate the SMART Board due to physical limitations? I currently have a student who can only move one arm 6 inches and that is it. He LOVES to use the SMART Board but physically can't do so on his own and tires quickly. I would love to have an IPad or something handheld for him to use to play the games we use on the SMART Board.
Hi MIndy!
DeleteLike you, I agree that SMART Exchange can get overwhelming! I tend to just stick to the first few pages of activities as well. I also preview them before downloading so that I can get a good idea of what the activity includes. Since I work with students with special needs, I usually am looking for activities that are very interactive, and that include lots of visual aids. Also, some activities are easier to modify and adapt, so I look for those as well.
In response to your question, I do have students who have some difficulties accessing the SMART Board. At the beginning of last school year, I had my SMART Board mounted to the wall of my classroom, at a lower level so that my students in wheelchairs would have easier access to it. This has made all the difference! I do also utilize the iPad in my room for students with physical limitations. It's portability and ease of use makes it a wonderful tool. Even though the screen is smaller, my iPhone and/or iPod Touch have also been great tools. Let me know if you are able to try any of these with your student. Good luck!