Technology for Special Needs

   Special needs is a broad spectrum of students that has become a growing population in the school system.  Technology has become an important tool for helping special needs students learn more effectively in the classroom.  The purpose for this presentation is for teachers to have an idea of different ways to use technology in schools for special needs children.  This presentation presents several different special needs populations such as autism, gifted students, specific social needs, visually impaired, hearing impaired,  and dyslexia.  Although special needs students are all unique in their own way, this presentation gives examples of ways that may help students improve in the classroom, socially, and in everyday environments. 

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1oQwLtHhQECWeDJLiPpuW7MRdP09k2e6p35jQnzYhCd8/edit#slide=id.g11e881732a_0_6

Digital Literacy

Digital literacy is the knowledge, skills, and behaviors used in a broad range of digital devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktop PCs, all of which are seen as network rather than computing devices. Some advantages of being digitally literate are that it is very important in a work environment to be able to work different forms of technology.  Being adaptable will give you advantages when different jobs require the use of computers, tablets, or smart boards.  Being digitally literate will also help you learn faster because you can look up information, facts, and figures. Digital Literacy is important for children to learn because technology is becoming very popular and being used almost everywhere. When children get out of school and into the workforce, they will be expected to practice digital literacy. It will also help become higher level thinkers. 

Examples of digital literacy in the classroom are things like learning how to search for items, finding reliable resources, knowing how to communicate professionally with others, knowing how to use digital tools like videos, blogs, presentations,etc. and knowing how to protect themselves from harm that can come from social medias or other digital items. Some examples of digital literacy outside of the classroom is social media, surfing the internet, creating videos, posting pictures, and communicating with others. Some of these are used inside the classroom as well.

Digital Literacy. (2016, February 13). Retrieved February 15, 2016 from, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_literacy

Copyright

Copyright is a type of protection used so that others can’t use original items and claim it as their own.  When learning about copyright it is important to learn the meaning of plagiarism so you understand what is legal or illegal. Plagiarism means to copy others text, not cite outside resources, and also turn in previous work or others work. Passing on someone else’s work as your own.

You can teach young children how to appropriately cite their sources and what steps to take to complete the process.  This is important to teach students early so they are well prepared and will be able to use these skills in everyday life. In the classroom you can teach kids how to take their own notes during the research process so they can put information in their own words verses using words from others.

Copyright for teachers. (n.d.). Retrieved February 15, 2016, from http://www.auburn.edu/citizenship/copyright_for_teachers.html

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fkOIL6QEPDZ9naPc4J2RcTst--SaJ3n_qKrkU8T_cso/edit

PBL and IBL: Advantages and Uses in a Physical Education Classroom

Project Based Learning

Project Based Learning is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge.  This style of learning challenges students to problem solve  and use critical thinking skills.  Some of the advantages to using this style of learning with your students are that it is enjoyable for students, improves learning process, and builds skills for success in upper grades.  Not only is this learning style fun for students but it makes teaching more enjoyable and connects the students with the real world.  In a Physical Education class this style of learning will encourage students and teachers to think outside the box.   

There are many uses for Project Based Learning in a physical education classroom.  For the upper grades who have health classes this style of learning would benefit teachers when trying to make the class more fun and interesting.  Students can do many different projects using this style of learning for alcohol, tobacco, drugs, health and nutrition.  This style of learning could be beneficial for students to gain knowledge and experience on key issues they may have to deal with in their everyday life. In a PE setting students can actively engage in project based learning by challenging groups to make up new games.  They would have to use critical thinking skills to come up with all the different aspects of developing new games.  

Problem-based learning. (2016, January 25). Retrieved February 04, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problem-based_learning

Inquiry Based Learning 

Inquiry Based Learning starts by posing questions, problems or scenarios.  Teachers are responsible to guide students towards finding the correct answers by posing the questions to the teacher.  This style has more of a sequence of events that needs to happen before they can get to the end result. For this style of learning you must collect data to gain the knowledgeable information so it can be applied to real life. Some of the advantages to Inquiry Based Learning is having collaborative approaches that benefit students in learning 21st century skills, the ability to work in teams, solve problems and apply knowledge from one situation to another. This style of learning can be incorporated in a physical education class and in health.

Some of the many uses for this style of approach are posing questions and scenarios to different groups. Inquiry based learning can give students different ways to think in a PE setting. This style can be used in health classes by setting up different scenarios of sexual education, peer pressure, drugs and alcohol. Students will be able to question the teaching and use the information to gain knowledge. With that knowledge students will be able to come up with a solution or conclusion to the problem. Students will be able to gain useful knowledge they can take with them and use in the future.

Inquiry-based learning. (2016, February 3). Retrieved February 04, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inquiry-based_learning

https://prezi.com/xv6jrnimbjgr/project-based-vs-inquiry-based-vs-discovery-based-learning/   

About Me

Hello! My name is Stacey Andrews and I am from Greenville, NC.  I am a Senior at East Carolina University studying Physical Education.  My plans after graduating is to stay here in Greenville teaching physical education at an Elementary School.  I was born and raised in Greenville and have been a pirate since birth.

I would describe myself as a family oriented person who loves sports and has a passion for helping others.  Family is very important to me and has always been apart of my life.  My parents are very involved in my life, a brother, sister, and two nephews.  I enjoy spending time with my nephews and playing with them.  I have a dog named Miller who is my best buddy!  I am newly engaged and have started the planning process for my June 11, 2016 wedding. http://www.reflector.com/occasion/95777 At a young age I found my love for Softball and continued playing throughout college. I am a former ECU Softball athlete and enjoyed the many experiences it gave me.  My passion for sports has ultimately led me to wanting to pursue a career in physical education.

My first degree was in Recreation and Park Management but wasn't ever satisfied with what I was doing.  An opportunity came up to work in the school system with children with Autism.  I taught for 3 years in an Elementary school and finally realized I love teaching but not in the classroom.  Now I am finally following my dream and going to be doing something I love.

Living a healthy and active lifestyle is something I am working on myself.  I want to use my knowledge and experience to help young kids develop healthy and active lifestyles.  My goal is to have an impact on kids lives one way or another!