Inclusion in the Classroom Using Technology

I feel as if teachers should strive for inclusion with all their students, not just the ones that have special needs. Every child is different, therefore they all learn at different speeds. Using technology in the classroom could be a good way to get everyone involved and on level playing ground. 

One good way of getting kids all involved and on the same playing ground would be to get everyone on a computer at least once a day. Whether they are working on typing or playing an interactive learning game I feel like all kids would benefit from that. For those who have special needs, there are keyboards that are specially designed to help them too. 

Another good way to get everyone involved would be to watch some video, for those students who's attention span is short when it comes to regular lessons. It would grab their attention and maybe make it easier to absorb information if they have a different way of grasping the material. It might take many different methods to reach just one child and I feel as if using a movie or movie clip in a classroom will reach them differently.

Another way to use technology in the classroom to include everyone would be to play an electronic game. Maybe if kids could get hands on experience while they are learning, especially while playing a game I feel like they would learn more. Maybe an educational game made for a game boy would grab a little boys attention more than a boring old lesson. 

Even low tech technology could help kids learn material. Like for example, learning how to count using the touch method. The one where each number has these imaginary dots on it that the kid touches and learns to count with. When I was little I was taught this method and I still use it today. When I am adding numbers I will take my pencil and hit the place on the number where the dots would be. I feel like this is a good way to teach math in another way so that the kids that don't get it the first time, have another chance to get it this time.

Having computers that talk to you could also be beneficial in the classroom. Maybe an interactive program that is voice activated, or even a touch screen for a computer would give kids the hands on type of learning that they need sometimes. Especially if the child has a disability and can't talk well the touch screen would really help them out.

Having the kids who are learning their letters use magnetic tracing boards would help them practice in another way than just on paper. That activity would actually be fun for them, but at the same time they are getting the knowledge they need to learn it. This isn't a really high tech method but I feel like using technology in the classroom doesn't mean that the technology has to be flashy.

Technology of all types would help kids who learn differently than others. When putting technology in the classroom no child would fall behind because of all the neat things that you can do with it. I feel as if technology is the bright future of education, and that soon children with special needs will be able to sit right next to all the other kids in the classroom.