TF-VI.B. Apply technology resources to enable and empower learners with diverse backgrounds, characteristics, and abilities. Candidates:
1. Assist teachers in selecting and applying appropriate technology resources to enable and empower learners with diverse backgrounds, characteristics, and abilities.
2. Identify, classify, and recommend adaptive /assistive hardware and software for students and teachers with special needs and assist in procurement and implementation.
VI.B Artifact(s):
- Adaptive and Assistive Technology Resources (PDF Document) (Click to Open)
- Assistive Technology Exercise (PDF Document) (Click to Open)
- Technology Plan of Thomas Starr King Middle School 2004 (PDF Document) (Click to Open)
- Technology Plan Critique for Thomas Starr King Middle School (PDF Document) (Click to Open)
JUSTIFICATION:
I created an Assistive Technology Website Resource handout with a vast list of resources to help me support the diverse learning skills of my students. By downloading different tools that help develop students' higher-order skills and creativity, I’m able to create learner-centered strategies that address the diverse needs of a variety of students.
Another way that I kept my classroom learner-centered was through an online lesson plan that I created to support learning through inquiry-oriented activities designed to give the students a variety of ways to learn. The website not only provided students with hands-on materials that they could print out and terminology resources, but also provided them with resources for activities on a variety of other lessons that can help them better understand the topic and increase their computer skills. I am open to speaking with students via email and via online chatting (both of which I created just for my students) which is another way to encourage my students that prefer one-on-one attention directly from the teacher to enhance higher learning. All of these appeal to the diverse learning styles of my students and I’m always looking for new ways through technology to accommodate their diverse learning abilities.
