Our kids today are so adept with computers, we call them digital kids. There is nothing like access to computer programs that support concepts being taught through classroom curricula, for helping kids who experience learning challenges make substantial academic gains.
Students who have special needs, or exceptional life circumstances that cause them to fall behind, need to be afforded every opportunity to catch up. Working in a classroom that has no digital equipment save for a projector, disallows for that. We have books, activities and teacher created games, and with creative lessons, our students have made some gains but we are limited in what we can do with these digital kids. Having an interactive large screen computer on the wall for group lessons will help our students jump the divide between being behind and at risk, to being at grade level and competitive with their peers.
How can that happen? Interactive online programs have been created specifically for kids who are learning disabled, dyslexic, ADHD, and those who struggle with print and behavior challenges. Many of the programs are free and as a matter of practice, I purchase memberships to others that have printable worksheets, but that also have digital products as well, for no extra cost. Lower and higher level skills are practiced in the form of digital games and activities for every subject. With teacher guidance, choice of programs and teacher created activities that are specific to a child’s needs, the sky is the limit.
Alaska is, and has been, in a recession. Our governor has proposed to decrease the education budget by at least 25%. That, and the continuing efforts to repair damage caused by the earthquake we experienced in November, leave less than no funding to modernize our room for our most at risk students.
About my class
Our kids today are so adept with computers, we call them digital kids. There is nothing like access to computer programs that support concepts being taught through classroom curricula, for helping kids who experience learning challenges make substantial academic gains.
Students who have special needs, or exceptional life circumstances that cause them to fall behind, need to be afforded every opportunity to catch up. Working in a classroom that has no digital equipment save for a projector, disallows for that. We have books, activities and teacher created games, and with creative lessons, our students have made some gains but we are limited in what we can do with these digital kids. Having an interactive large screen computer on the wall for group lessons will help our students jump the divide between being behind and at risk, to being at grade level and competitive with their peers.
How can that happen? Interactive online programs have been created specifically for kids who are learning disabled, dyslexic, ADHD, and those who struggle with print and behavior challenges. Many of the programs are free and as a matter of practice, I purchase memberships to others that have printable worksheets, but that also have digital products as well, for no extra cost. Lower and higher level skills are practiced in the form of digital games and activities for every subject. With teacher guidance, choice of programs and teacher created activities that are specific to a child’s needs, the sky is the limit.
Alaska is, and has been, in a recession. Our governor has proposed to decrease the education budget by at least 25%. That, and the continuing efforts to repair damage caused by the earthquake we experienced in November, leave less than no funding to modernize our room for our most at risk students.
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