Last Class: Case Study Presentations

While I'm glad to see the holidays are just about here, I am sad to see this class end. It's definitely been an eye opener into all of the issues surrounding students with special needs, the supports they recieve/don't recieve and the possibilities for success when teachers work together and take the time to learn about their students and the resources available. I know everyone has gotten excited about the possibilities, and the ripple effect that results in our excitement will positively affect teachers and students around us.

Great job, everyone, for your amazing case studies. I know as teachers we know that students learn as much from their peers as they do from their instructors, and while we may not be experts in assistive technology like Barbara, it really is amazing to learn from each other's unique situations and experiences using the technology and interacting with students and colleagues. It is amazing the successes that have been acheived in such short amounts of time! Kudos!

Thanks too for your feedback about my own case study. I was feeling a bit discouraged about the red tape and resistance I recieved from the administration at the school at which I had originally hoped to work. Of course we should always make sure that we are getting proper authorization and consent when doing research on our students. Now I know to contact Judy White, the HRSB senior staff advisor with inquiries such as case studies. I did realize that the student I ended up working with was a bit young to be concerned about in terms of literacy skills, but am glad that the teacher, class and student will benefit from our time together.
Thanks to all my classmates, and especially Barbara Welsford, for sharing their expertise, thoughts and ideas in this exciting journey of discovery into the possiblities of assistive technology for student and teacher learning!