Posted by:
Kirsten Peterson
University
Newton, MA

Topic:
Challenge Relates to Level of Awareness

Message:
Providing access to technology for students with varied learning abilities is a difficult tack, not because there aren't tools available for this purpose, of that they are too expensive. Rather, the task is difficult because educators may not be aware of the tools available for their students, and they may not know how to integrate these tools into their curricula.

There are a wide variety of resources available on the Web that can provide meaningful learning opportunities for all students. There are web sites, like Encartathat provide visual, textual, and audible resources on thousands of topics. There are dozens of web sites that provide digital text that can be manipulated to support students with special needs. There are shareware products that can convert text to speech to support students at widely varied reading levels, and other products, like Inspirationthat can be purchased inexpensively to support all students learning to improve reading and writing skills. In addition, common software applications like Microsoft Word can be used creatively to support students at all levels. The trick is to learn how to use these tools effectively.

With classrooms across the county filled with students at widely varied skill levels, additional professional development opportunities need to be provided to help educators better meet their needs. Hear at EDC's Center for Online Professional Education, our EdTech Leaders Online program (http://www.edtechleaders.org) offers an online course (Special Students in Regular Classrooms: Technology, Teaching, and Universal Design) for teachers and administrators to support teachers in the effort to understand how to use web-based resources to support all of their students. Like any effort to enhance teaching and learning, this endeavor requires an investment of time. With limited financial resources, professional development is crucial, as many educational resources are available at minimal cost to enhance the learning experience for all students.

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