Sarah Cordett, M.A. 1

Agenda Unit 7 Topics  Assistive Technology  Research Activity  Video: Demonstration of AT devices  Virtual Field Trip: Family Center on Technology and Disability  Video: Josh’s Story Unit 9 Final Project

3 Explain the importance of play and the limitations of children with special needs Identify strategies for facilitating play for children with special needs Explain the importance as well as the variety of uses of assistive technology Describe how assistive technology can foster learning in the classroom for young children with special needs

4 IDEA (1991) defines AT as any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of children with disabilities.

5 Research: Click on the link “Intro to AT” in the Information Box. Take 8-10 minutes to read the article (literally!) Share at least one major benefit of assistive technology. What is meant by “appropriate education”?

6 Video: Demonstration of AT devices Share: What did you learn from watching the video? What device did you find the most interesting?

7 Virtual Field Trip: Family Center on Technology and Disability (FCTD) 1st: 2-3 min exploring site 2nd: Click on “Success Stories” link on left side of screen. Choose one child and read their story. Share: Give a brief summary of child and disability. How did technology help them succeed?

8 Video: Josh’s Story Share: How did Josh benefit from the use of assistive technology?

Unit 9 Project: Part I Unit 9 Project is due on Tuesday, February 15th. Part I: Use the Kaplan Library along with your textbook and other outside resources to research three of the following: hearing impairments, blindness and low vision, physical disabilities, health impairments, ADHD, and low-incidence disabilities, which include severe/multiple disabilities, deaf-blindness, and traumatic brain injury. Compare/contrast your choices in a 2-4 page research paper. Please remember to cite your sources.

Unit 9 Project: Rubric Final Project – 280 Points Part I: The paper compares and contrast three disabilities. (___/70 points) This section includes an introduction, a body and a conclusion. (____/10 points) The library was used and cited (____/10 points)

Unit 9 Project: Part II Part II: Using the sample IEP as your guide, design one intervention activity (in lesson plan format) that targets any of the Short Term Objectives listed on the IEP for Alexis. Notice there are 4-5 Short Term Objectives listed below each Annual Goal. You also may refer to pp in your text “The Exceptional Child: Inclusion in Early Childhood Education”.

Unit 9 Project: Rubric Part II Student used the sample IEP as their guide to design one intervention activity that targets any of the Short Term Objectives listed on the IEP for Alexis. (___/20 points) The template that is provided is complete and includes the following: An annual goal is listed (___/10 points) Objectives are stated (___/15 points) An activity is listed and contains detailed steps (___/20 points) Vocabulary words for Alexis are listed (___/15 points)

Unit 9 Project: Part III Part III: Write 2- to 4-page paper using the same IEP listed above and knowing that Individuals with Disabilities Education Act IDEA requires that all children with disabilities be educated in the “least restrictive environment.” Put yourself in the place of a classroom teacher who is involved in the IEP for Alexis. Describe at least three considerations essential to deciding what the least restrictive environment would be for Alexis. How would you implement these adaptations? Include one reference page and one title page for the entire Final Project

Unit 9 Project: Rubric Part III The project contained 2- to 4-page paper discussing the IEP and the teacher’s role in IEP process and in making a recommendation for least restrictive environment. (___/40 points) Student explained the considerations of least restrictive environment and the adaptations that should be made in that placement in three supporting paragraphs. (___20 points) The paper included an introduction, a body and a conclusion (___/10 points)

Unit 9 Project: Rubric Organization and Structure Each section of your paper meets or surpasses minimum requirements for length, follows required format and contains no spelling or grammatical errors. It contains a separate title page, properly formatted, a separate reference page and was typed using a 12 point font (Ariel or Times New Roman). (___/40 points)

References Allen, E.K., Cowdery, G.E. (2009). The Exceptional Child: inclusion in early childhood education. United States of America: Thompson Delmar Learning

Have a good week!