The diversity of learning needs in today’s general education classroom and media center continues to grow, including students with disabilities and those who are English-learners. Students with disabilities can benefit from a number of features that are built into existing technology available in the media center and many classrooms such as PowerPoint, Windows Movie Maker, and Kidspiration/Inspiration. These Software and web-based resources allow teachers and media specialists to gather video clips, pictures, maps, audio clips, and other means of presenting information. They can also provide students with advance organizers, such as outlines, study guides, "while you read" questions, and diagrams which present overviews of new material to be studied.
By the same token, English Learners can benefit from web resources which provide background information, interactivity, and relevant instruction, and multi-media presentations. The non-judgmental nature of the computer allows most students to make errors without embarrassment and can provide immediate feedback and correction. This can be as simple as writing in Microsoft Word with the spell-check turned on, or using an English language tutorial, such as the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/?ok). You can customize their Learning English site with a choice of 26 different native speaker's languages. The Voice of America Special English(http://www.manythings.org/e/voa.html) site is one of many that have word lists and quizzes.
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3 comments:
Yes, I agree. These diversities need to be addressed and met in the media center. Today's technology is an excellent medium to meet these needs. I liked what you said about the non-judgmental computer. It can be used to many ways to address these areas. Thanks for the web site too. I will certainly use it in the future for my media center.
Your suggestions on how to meet the needs of students with disabilities were very informative. These students deserve alternative approaches to learning. As educators we can't expect for them to learn the way everyone else does. That's why they are exceptional students. This does not eliminate the media center for meeting these same types of needs for those students. In fact all students benefit from these diverse learning tools.
You mention a lot of great technology tools in your post. I agree that using computer programs to help English language learners can very beneficial. I have seen students use reading and language programs like that very successfully. Students today are so use to instant gratification, so the immediate feedback is perfect for them. I also think it is so enriching for students to learn about each others cultures and traditions. It helps our world become more understanding and, hopefully, more tolerant.
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