Rationale for Artifact Five:  Accommodating Special Needs Students

Context

In FDN 3100 class, we had a session dedicated to helping students with special needs.  First we applied high contrast by going to the control panel, then to accessibility options.  This made the fonts larger, the text white, and the background black.  Then we looked at a website that is designed for visual impairments entitled “ReadPlease” (www.readplease.com).  “ReadPlease will read any text you see on your screen.  This can be from your browser, email, word processor, spreadsheet or any program which displays text.” 

I visited a website (www.ldonline.org) that has many resources for teaching students with learning disabilities.  I have included a printout called, “Teaching Students with ADHD: A Checklist for Teachers.”

I went the website www.freetranslation.com and translated a letter to a parent from English to Spanish.  I also translated a website from English to French.  I have included a printout of each translation.

Impact

When I teach, I will have students with visual difficulties.  I can try applying high contrast and installing the ReadPlease program to help these students.

I will also have students who have learning disabilities in my classroom.  The learning disability website will be a useful resource for me when I teach.

It is very probable that I will have students in my class who have English as a second language.  The free translation website will help me communicate with these students and their families. 

Alignment

I have met NETS-Competencies IIA, VIB, and VIC in that I have learned a variety of ways to help special needs students in my class.  I realize it is imperative for me to assist students who are learning disabled, have English as a second language, are visually impaired, and who have physical challenges.