2. About Me
I am an Idaho
native but i’m a beach
bum at heart. I am
married and have 2
boys, life is never
boring at my house.
In my spare time I dabble in
photography. I love music, reading,
and movies. Pink is my favorite
3. Where am I going?
i’m not sure where mY special ed
degree will take me. I know what I
want to do but i’m not sure how and
where i’ll get it done.
In a nutshell; I want to rock he
world.
My dream is to advocate and teach
others to advocate for
themselves. I dream of a world
4. What I have
Learned
Table of Contents
1. Cover 7. Word Processing
2. About me 8. Communication &
3. Teaching Goals Exploration
4. Table of contents 9. Spreadsheets
5. Role of Technology 10. Presentation Software
11. Favorite Internet Sites
5. • Technology is a
valuable training tool
Technology
as a way of getting a lot
of information to many
people in a timely
As a tool for my self and my
paraprofessional colleagues…
manner.
• Technology has
transformed the
special ed system
– Communicate needs to
Medicaid and the school
district more efficiently
– Billing is much faster
– Parents can communicate
back and forth over e-
6. Technology • Adaptive Technology
cont.
– Switches
– Talk pads
– Touch screens for computers
– Simple machines
As a tool for my students…
• Computers help standardize
the information
• Word for learning to type even
with an inability to write
• The internet for gathering info
and researching students’
needs
7. Word
I will use Word in communication with
parents, perhaps in a newsletter.
Word will help me keep track of what needs
to be done for content standards
Word will be used to teach students written
communication so that they can learn and
communicate at least vital information such
as a Name, Phone number, and/or Address
8. Communication &
Exploration
The internet can take you anywhere!
• Use the internet to learn new
things with a webqwest
• Talk to parents in their own
setting through Skype
• Email information and
get responses quickly
• Access education programs
like touchmath!
9. Spreadsheets
In addition to keeping track of grades when necessary; I plan to
track data and student’s progress.
This can be done visually by comparing data from 3 different
6
points throughout the year.
4 Sept
2 2.2
2 1 1 Jan
0 May
Mobility Social Math Reading
Excel will also be used to make calendars and reward charts
which are very effective in this setting
10. Presentation Software
Power Point is great for tackling training and large
amounts of info that people may want to write
down.
• In my training presentation, paraprofessionals are given the tools they
need to get encourage optimum progress from our students. I was given
this same info via power point and it obviously was effective.
-You can view an explanation of this project in my week 13 discussion board
• Parents can be presented with a variety of information to prepare them
for the school year on back to school night
11. Favorite Internet Sites
• I
http://www.touchmath.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=WYT.welcome&page=LearningDifferences
have talked about touchmath throughout this
class so here is the link. touchmath is a great
hands-on visual way to teach math skills. If you
can count, you can do any math with this system.
• http://www.specialednet.com As an educator we all know that
there are new resources and new information
constantly becoming available. I love this site
for that that purpose!
• http://www.google.com Yes, I know it’s just Google but
it’s invaluable as a resource for finding out the
newest changes in advocacy laws and learning
more about a student diagnosis.
12. I found Mr. Olson’s obituary in the paper on 5/7/10.
Since this is the week for this final project I
wanted to include something about him…
In Memory of This is the man who came into my second grade
classroom on the first day with a girl in a
Steve Olson wheelchair. He introduced her as Brenda and
explained why she was different and opened the
1950-2010 floor for questions. Any questions anyone
wanted to ask no matter how embarrassing he
answered them with dignity. This event changed
my life and shaped who I would become.
Since that day in school I spent every recess in his
room and continued this habit into Jr. High and
High School. When I was old enough to legally
work, my first job was as a Special Ed assistant in
summer school. I still have ongoing friendships
with many of the kids I served; including Brenda.
Today, I still refer back to his attitude of acceptance
and empowerment that shaped my education as
a young child. I never saw him again to tell him
what an impact he made or to thank him for
what he taught me.
