Using+SmartBoards+in+Today’s+Classroom+for+Students+with+Special+Needs

By Dianne Van Dunk
 * Teaching Technology in Today’s Diverse Society**

The world is rapidly changing and so are the students, we teach. We as teachers today face a diverse population. We must have awareness in the vas majority of different disabilities we encounter in the Public School system. This includes student multicultural backgrounds. It’s our duty to make attempts to reach all of our students regardless of their backgrounds and/ or disability. For a very long time, our students in low- income neighborhoods didn’t have the same advantages than their peers that came from an affluent neighborhood. Let’s not mention our students with special needs. Due to this, Law was created to treat everyone equally regardless of disability.


 * A Bit of Background History**

Public Law 94-142 (Education of All Handicapped Children Act)

In 1975, Congress passed Public Law 94-142 (Education of All Handicapped Children Act), now codified as IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). In order to receive federal funds, states must develop and implement policies that assure a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to all children with disabilities. The state plans must be consistent with the federal statute, Title 20 United States Code Section 1400 et.seq. http://www.scn.org/~bk269/94-142.html//

Our students still were not being treated fairly, just like everyone else.

Jose P. v. Mills Jose P. was filed by a group of disabled New York City School children over two decades ago to force the Department of Education to obey federal laws that require appropriate evaluation, placement and services be provided to all students with disabilities. In 1979 a judgment was issued directing a variety of relief measures. Numerous subsequent orders and so-ordered stipulations have been issued since 1979. The case is filed in federal court for the Eastern District of New York. Co-counsel on the case are Roger Maldonado of Balber Pickard Battistoni Maldonado &Van Der Tuin, PC and Chip Grey, Esq. Along with co-counsel, AFC continues to monitor implementation of the Jose P. judgment and orders. http://www.advocatesforchildren.org/josep.php//

A person can read a law and have an understanding of what the law states. Then we have others that want to enforce the law with the minimum amount of efforts or money. So once again we had this:

P.L. 100-407, The Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988

The primary purpose of this Act is to assist states in developing comprehensive, consumer-oriented programs of technology-related assistance, and to increase the availability of assistive technology to individuals with disabilities and their families. The Act was reauthorized in 1994, by P.L. 103-218. The reauthorization requires the development of a national classification system for assistive technology devices and services.

"Assistive technology device" is defined by the Act as "any item, piece of equipment, or product system whether acquired off the shelf, modified or customized that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities."

"Assistive technology services" are any services that directly assist an individual with a disability to select, acquire, or use an assistive technology device. This includes evaluating the needs of the child, including a functional evaluation in the child's customary environment. http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/outprint/nd15txt.htm//

With all that is said, we must focus on a student as an individual and look at their needs and make adaptations and modifications to reach each and every child so they may be successful in achieving to their highest potential.

Using Smartboards in our classroom as a tool to assist in the everyday delivery of information to assist in the process of learning.


 * What are Smartboards?**

SMARTBoard are interactive whiteboard that helps energize presentations and motivate learners. In 1991, it was the world's first interactive whiteboard. Today, it is the world's leading interactive whiteboard. Combining the simplicity of a whiteboard with the power of a computer, the SMART Board interactive whiteboard engages students and audiences around the world.

How does it work? The touch-sensitive display connects to your computer and digital projector to show your computer image. You can then control computer applications directly from the display, write notes in digital ink and save your work to share later. Best of all, the full-featured SMART Board interactive whiteboard is incredibly easy to use. If you can use a computer, you can use a SMART Board interactive whiteboard.

http://www2.smarttech.com/st/en-US/Products/SMART+Boards///

How does using a Smart board in our classroom assist in the facilitating of learning and teaching in a meaningful way?

Most of the students in an Alternate Assessment Classroom are students who are low functioning and/or non-verbal however they are able to communicate by using their specific communication system to answer questions. Teaching with means of a smartboard becomes a large Touch-screen window for students. They are able to engage in activities rather than old fashion teaching methods.

This links is a 2 Minute Tutorial on using the Smartboard- “Touch Write and Save” http://downloads.smarttech.com/media/trainingCenter/flash/Touch%20Write%20and%20Save.htm

These are sites where teachers can get online Smartboard lessons.

http://eduscapes.com/sessions/smartboard/ http://www.wacona.com/smartboard/smartboard.html

Dianne - Wow, this is one of the most interesting and complete discussions at our wiki site. I would, however, suggest some formatting changes that would make it //slightly// more readable. I would actually do these, but I'm not clear how to apply them to make your text more readable - I'd be happy to help. I hope these comments are viewed as helpful and not critical - your page is extremely informative. (John W)
 * Use a consistant font type (back and forth between REGULAR and //ITALICS// is hard on the eyes, especially when it does not differentiate content) - perhaps reserve //ITALICS// for the large legal quotes.
 * Whenever possible, create your links under descriptive text - type the description, highlight it, click the "Add Link" button at the top of the page, select "External Link" and put the URL there. This makes scanning the text for content easier.
 * Judicious use of **BOLDFACE** could help delineate section headings that clue the reader into the organization of your page.
 * Using __UNDERLINE__ could make citatioins more like APA style.

John, Wikis are designed so that you can anybody's work. Simply use the editing tools at the top of this page. I just made two edits that you suggested. I also agree that Diane has created an excellent page.

As a special education teacher I would love to have a Smartboard in my classroom. I think a smartboard will help me to reach my students a bit more. Also the Smartboard will help present me present the information being taught in the different formats. Students love anything that has to do with technology and they would love working with this type of technology. (aimee peguero)

I would suggest that you look into applying for the [|NYSCATE grant]. The award is $2500 and is awarded to teachers with a project that meets NYSCATE's mission of transforming education through the use of technology. You certainly have a mission of enhancing and transforming your students' education. I have worked in a classroom with a Smartboard in the past and know just how motivating and interactive they can be. Unfortunately the deadline for submission is April 30, 2007, but they provide you with a very simple format to fill out. I know for a fact that there have not been very many applicants for this years awards and that is why the deadline was extended. Good Luck! (lpolenski)

I have participated in a grant called the E2T2. The grant provided me with a laptop, projector and smartboard. You may want to have your school's technology department look into it. Some excellent resources for the smartboard can make your classroom that much more of an exciting learning environment. Stephanie Suthreland- Hansen Resources to Consider [|Tequipment Educator] Click on resources, downloads, and case studies. Click on teqequipmentEducator Resource Center and there you will be able to create a username and password for FREE to have access to Smart Notebook files aligned to NYS standards, links to interactive websites for all subject areas and grade levels, discussion forums, tuturial and more. [|NY Learns] NYLearns is a standards based educational website that offers resources and lessons, many are in the smartnotebook format. [|Smart Technolgies] SMART Technology is a site filled with a teacher created collection of smartnotebook files with lessons from around the world. Smart Board

The smart board is an excellent tool to assist with teaching. It allows for interactive learning. One important factor that must be thought about is how to implement the smart board with in the curriculum. It is vital to have a lesson that will develop skills of special needs students. We as teachers must know and learn how to match our teaching to the student’s exceptional educational needs. Written by Jane Lofton

I LOVE MY SMARTBOARD. My district was introduced to SmartBoards about 3 or 4 years ago. Orginally they were portable, and came with a "cow" with the projector. There were wires all over the place, and there were only about 3 for the whole building. Well, then our school went into restructuring by the State, which turned out to be a wonderful thing! Because our school was getting all this money to improve test scores, our District was able to purchase (and permanently mount) a SmartBoard and projector for EVERY classroom in our building. It is a beautiful thing. Young, old, rookies, veterans, and everybody in between has embrased SmartBoards and use them on a consistent basis. My SmartBoard is on and is used 90% of the time. I don't think I've used chalk in about 3 years. If you don't have one, become friendly with your Tech person and/or grant writer and request one! (Ryan Speer)