Hi! My name is Ms. Bri, and I am the human Teletubby! Ok, I'm not really a human teletubby, but that it how I feel sometimes! About 5 years ago, I introduced my first ipad to my students. In that moment, I knew that I found a powerful tool, with the capability of reaching all of my students.
The students in my class are in grades K through 3 and have moderate to severe disabilities.
My students are full of energy and always keep me and my staff on our toes. Most of the students in my class are non-verbal or have severe speech delays. Students communicate using a combination of pictures, signs, and voice output devices when appropriate. Our class is a functional skills class so our main focus is functional communication and social skills training. I also teach students pre-academics. I have found over the past 5 years that my students are big fans of visual technology. I have used the ipad to teach some of the basic skills (numbers, letters, shapes, etc) as well as communication and social skills through use of video modeling. Although I do teach a self-contained class, we are situated in the middle of a wonderful public elementary school. Staff and students at our school are extremely welcoming and inclusive.
My Project
At this time, I am requesting an interactive whiteboard. My students have been extremely receptive to learning when using the ipad. Unfortunately, the size of the screen makes it so the ipad is not accessible to all students at all times. I would like to create vibrant, interactive lessons that all of my students can access at the same time. I can imagine all of my students, seated and engaged in our group lessons. I look forward to the time when I do not have to be the human teletubby. I will be able to teach to the entire group, all at once, rather than passing a tablet around from student to student. And I will be able to create specific lessons that will address students' individualized education plans.
If this project is funded, I will be able to reach out to students with special needs.
My students will be able to access lessons which will enable them to make progress on their individualized education plan goals. Students will learn how to focus, work, and learn in a group setting.
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