Technology and Special Needs

In recent years, technology has started to become commonplace in many of today's classrooms. Piles of evidence, along with the actual usage, have shown, parents, students, and teachers alike the many advantages of using technology in the classroom

The benefits of being able to go beyond the textbook, engaging students using the very technology they use for entertainment, increasing attendance scores, and behavior, and creating an organized learning environment for students has made the lives of willing teachers easier in a field that is becoming more and more demanding. Giving teachers the tools to help students be successful as teachers are being held to higher standards and levels of accountability is only going to help all stakeholders.

However, there are still naysayers who believe that technology takes away from learning, can be a distraction, and offers little assistance in improving the classroom environment. Beyond the fact that evidence is overwhelming for the positive effects, teachers can still be hesitant for various reasons, and administrators often hesitate due to budget concerns.

However, all students, and in particular, students with special needs, can benefit greatly from the use of technology in the classroom. Students with all needs, great and small, and on both ends of the spectrum, can benefit from the use of technologies for physical disabilities such as assistive technologies to aid in visual, audio, and physical issues; classroom resources to adjust the needs of students with learning difficulties; enrichment resources for gifted students; and even resources for parents to have a greater hand in the students' learning process.

As the push for inclusion increases and the need for teachers to take on that responsibilities due to budget cuts, students from very wide ranges of abilities are now in today's classrooms. The need for differentiation is great, and technology is one way of alleviating the stress on teachers to provide a quality education to such deeply varied classrooms.

Resources

Martin, Sylvia. Special Education, Technology, and Teacher Education.

Relative Advantages of Technology in the Classroom

If used properly, technology in the classrooms has clear and measurable advantages. Students today are so immersed in the various technologies available to them that is only seems logical to embrace some of those technologies and put them to good use in the classroom.

With little to no money at all, technology can transform the classroom and make a positive impact on students. Studies show that technology can improve student proficiency scores, behavior, and attendance, as well as increase the likelihood of students attending college and receiving scholarships (Stratham & Torrel, 1996). This evidence alone should be good enough reason to use technology in the classroom.

However, beyond these pieces is the dramatic need to keeps students engaged. While technology can be an awesome resources, the constant flood of entertainment in today's culture, it can be very difficult to hold the attention of these very same students with pencils, paper and books. The need to embrace technology to hold student attention and ensure students are remaining engaged.

Technology is not going anywhere. In fact, it is becoming an integral part of our culture, so it should be a part of our educational system as well. If used properly, students can have access to educational opportunities unheard of in even our recent past. Learning how to use it properly and in meaningful ways is key to using technology in the classroom.

Stratham, D. S., & Torell, C. R. (1996). Computers in the classroom: The impact of technology on student learning.