Multiple Intelligences
I feel that I teach a variety of learning styles. Since I work with special ed. students I have to use a variety of methods to help them understand the material. However, i do feel that kinesthetic is generally the way that my students learn best so i gravitate toward that. When I took the assessment it showed that my top one was social, which i totally disagree with. I do not like talking or being part of a group and prefer to work on my own and my own pace, rather than having to adhere to the group demands. I am a visual learner so I do also tend to use that style with my teaching. Nettrekker is great in this regard because i can find materials to cater specifically to all my students unique learning styles and also at a reading level they are comfortable with.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Nordy on -
Great to hear about your appreciation for being able to address your students' unique learning styles. To that end, it would be great to hear your ideas on how we could make it even easier to do so. What type of updates to the content or features would help you find materials that match each student's needs?
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Permalink Reply by Jacinda Garrison on -
It is difficult to find materials that make it easier for special ed. students to have the same advantages as everyone else. That is why I give them a learning style assessment at the beginning of each school year so I know which way they learn best and try to teach in a variety of ways. Most special ed. students learn best kinesthetically or visually. They find it easier to learn by using manipulatives, charts, maps, etc. In the school I work in, special ed. students are mainstreamed for science and social studies and have direct service classes for math and language. arts. So as new books get adopted each year we try to get materials that are made for special ed. students that still provide grade level content but at lower reading levels. The best thing to do is to modify assignments and tests and allow them whatever will help them to learn the material.
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Permalink Reply by Katherine A. Buonavolonta on
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I am also a special education teacher and would like to know more about what kind of learning style assessment you give your students. I imagine I could "google" it , but I like to hear from other teachers with both positive and negative feedback. Thanks
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Permalink Reply by Amy Ellisor on -
Jacinda,
Thanks for your comments and your excellent discussions in NT101. Several classmates are implementing some of the strategies that you have shared from your work with your special education students
Great work!
Amy
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Permalink Reply by Danielle on -
Jacinda,
I have a learning challenged child myself. (Trying to stop saying Learning Disabled since he's able to learn, just learns at a slower pace and differently than what we call the "norm".) He loves the movies and activities as well. Just last night he huffed at me and told me "that's not what Moby says. Let me show you" and then he proceeded to "show" me the math problem with his cars, then jumped onto the computer to "show" me Moby proving it to him. We were both right, I just didn't have the "wow" factor of Moby and was using drawings. He had to manipulate the math problem off the paper. Since that's his learning style, I then used netTrekker to find other hands on interactive sites for him to use. But here's my question and concern. This is great because he's learning the material, but he's still not able to convey that he understands it in the "traditional" form for the state test.His teacher said he will not be allowed to have blocks, cubes, and other manipulatives in front of him when it's time for FCAT. How do I help him transfer those skills and knowledge set?
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Permalink Reply by Diane Forte Barfield on
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Hey, I don't know about the FCAT but in Georgia we have a state website from GPAT (Georgia project for assistive technology) that lists all of the accommodations that are allowed on standardized testing. There are many things that can be done IF they are listed in the IEP. Not to sound critical, but some teachers and administrators are not aware of all of the allowable help on tests. So check into your state's official list. For example, i was told that our students could not use color overlays. But they can.
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Permalink Reply by Diane Forte Barfield on
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Hello all...I am new to the discussion and to the Village but have used Net Trekker for a while. Colquitt County is in south Georgia and we are blessed with lots of resources for our students with disabilities--or as I like to say "other abilities". By combining Net Trekker and Smart boards I have been able to help students accomplish their tasks and master standards when they could not do so in more traditional ways. I am responsible for seeing that every child has the assistive technology he or she requires to participate in class and I have the opportunity to train groups of teachers as they attempt this. I am thrilled to be able to show them the D.I. features on Net Trekker. I have also been building searches for some of our teachers who have requested the help...I know they can do their own. But they are in the trenches teaching hard and I have the time to help them. In our district portfolio I have lessons, activities, and web searches organized by category (visual impairment, hearing impaired, adhd, etc) and teachers can go there to find a lesson that will help them. Thanks to Net Trekker for having the resources and for making them so easy to find.
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Permalink Reply by Kirsty Wertz on -
Hi Diane--have you heard about the "Personalized Learning in Action" video contest we're running? It'd be great too see your use of netTrekker with Smart boards in Colquitt County. Here's some more information. You could win a $1500 scholarship (there are two to be won) to attend ISTE 2010 in Denver this summer!
Would you mind if we shared your story (as you've outlined above) with others?
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Permalink Reply by Diane Forte Barfield on
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You may share it. I will look at the contest.
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Permalink Reply by Kirsty Wertz on
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Thanks Diane. Let me know if you have any questions about the contest.
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Permalink Reply by Nordy on
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Diane, that's great. The way you've described categorizing the resources is very helpful. It helps me understand additional tags ("visual impairment, hearing impaired, adhd, etc") we could place on resources to allow you to match them more specifically for your students' needs. Are there other "tags" that you believe would be helpful if already placed on resources? Are there other ideas you have for helping to personalize resources for students?
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