Kristi Young’s final project

The Final Technology Frontier

About Me

I am an Idaho native but I’m a beach bum at heart. I am married and have 2 boys, life is never boring at my house.

In my spare time I dabble in photography. I love music, reading, and movies. Pink is my favorite color and if you were to visit me you would see my kitchen which is completely decorated with I Love Lucy memorabilia and pink appliances.

Where am I going?

I’m not sure where my Special Ed degree will take me. I know what I want to do but I’m not sure how and where I’ll get it done. In a nutshell; I want to rock he world.

My dream is to advocate and teach others to advocate for themselves. I dream of a world where individuals affected by disabilities are seen for the valuable people they are, they are smart and talented in different ways.

What I have LearnedTable of Contents

1. Cover2. About me3. Teaching Goals4. Table of contents5. Role of Technology

7. Word Processing8. Communication & Ex

ploration9. Spreadsheets10.Presentation Softwar

e 11.Favorite Internet Site

s

Technology

• Technology is a valuable training tool as a way of getting a lot of information to many people in a timely manner.

• Technology has transformed the special ed system– Communicate needs to Medicaid

and the school district more efficiently

– Billing is much faster– Parents can communicate back

and forth over e-mail instead of through the old notebook method

• Technology helps to keep my mind together and aids in planning and collaborating with teachers from other schools

As a tool for my self and my paraprofessional colleagues…

Technologycont.

• Adaptive Technology– Switches– Talk pads– Touch screens for computers– Simple machines

• Computers help standardize the information

• Word for learning to type even with an inability to write

• The internet for gathering info and researching students’ needs

As a tool for my students…

WordI will use Word in communication with

parents, perhaps in a newsletter.

Word will help me keep track of what needs to be done for content standards

Word will be used to teach students written communication so that they can learn and

communicate at least vital information such as a Name, Phone number, and/or Address

Communication & Exploration

The internet can take you anywhere!

• Use the internet to learn newthings with a webqwest

• Talk to parents in their own setting through Skype

• Email information and get responses quickly

• Access education programslike touchmath!

Spreadsheets

In addition to keeping track of grades when necessary; I plan to track data and student’s progress.

This can be done visually by comparing data from 3 different points throughout the year.

Excel will also be used to make calendars and reward charts which are very effective in this setting

Mobil-ity

Social Math Reading0

2

4

6

21

2.21

SeptJanMay

Presentation Software

Power Point is great for tackling training and large amounts of info that people may want to write down.

• In my training presentation, paraprofessionals are given the tools they need to get encourage optimum progress from our students. I was given this same info via power point and it obviously was effective.-You can view an explanation of this project in my week 13 discussion board

• Parents can be presented with a variety of information to prepare them for the school year on back to school night

Favorite Internet Sites• http://www.touchmath.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=WYT.welcome&page=LearningDifferences I have

talked about touchmath throughout this class so here is the link. touchmath is a great hands-on visual way to teach math skills. If you can count, you can do any math with this system.

• http://www.specialednet.com As an educator we all know that there are new resources and new information constantly becoming available. I love this site for that that purpose!

• http://www.google.com Yes, I know it’s just Google but it’s invaluable as a resource for finding out the newest changes in advocacy laws and learning more about a student diagnosis.

In Memory ofSteve Olson

1950-2010

I found Mr. Olson’s obituary in the paper on 5/7/10. Since this is the week for this final project I wanted to include something about him…

This is the man who came into my second grade classroom on the first day with a girl in a wheelchair. He introduced her as Brenda and explained why she was different and opened the floor for questions. Any questions anyone wanted to ask no matter how embarrassing he answered them with dignity. This event changed my life and shaped who I would become.

Since that day in school I spent every recess in his room and continued this habit into Jr. High and High School. When I was old enough to legally work, my first job was as a Special Ed assistant in summer school. I still have ongoing friendships with many of the kids I served; including Brenda.

Today, I still refer back to his attitude of acceptance and empowerment that shaped my education as a young child. I never saw him again to tell him what an impact he made or to thank him for what he taught me.