Today's Special Education Classroom!

     Special Education is a term most people use as the dungeons in the basement of the school. However, I can speak first hand and say that is not true. There are certain regulations put in place that limits the restrictive environment of children will special needs.
     Look at this classroom and you can see that it is a very happy environment. Teachers are looking at the individual needs of each student and integrating them as a whole.  This Westdale classroom is a perfect example!







     Some classrooms even have the newest technologies. According to the Systems Theory, SMART board activities can be implemented into instruction (Roblyer & Doering, 2012). The basic idea is for children to learn through a research based program including specific objectives (Roblyer & Doering, 2012). There are reading and math programs that have SMART board activities embedded into their program. My favorite piece of technology in the classroom is indeed the SMART board, because it can be used for all ages. The board also has multiple uses. Besides learning, the children enjoy using it as a big screen to watch their favorite movies. Google Reader has some great subscriptions about technology. Here is a reference to get some more information about technology in the classroom.
Free Technology for Teachers
     If you are parent and have questions about your child's needs, talk to their teacher. Parents have a right to request an referral for special education because you are your child's main advocate. This website will give you more information about different disabilities and some of their characteristics. National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities

References (Roblyer & Doering, 2012)

Roblyer, M.D. & Doering, A.H. (2012). Integrating educational technology into teaching. 6th edition. Columbus, Ohio: Merrill Prentice Hall.