WeAreTeachers Blog

[#1]

Using technology to support lessons is something you do every day—but how about to support your special needs students?  Here are six easy ways you can incorporate technology into your classroom to help your special needs students learn more efficiently, more creatively and more effectively.

1. Use e-readers to support reading.  Uploading essential reading material onto an e-Reader for a special needs student will not only help them to keep all of their books in one place (bye bye huge heavy backpack!) but will also allow them to have immediate access to reference materials like a dictionary and thesauruses.
2. Play games.  Use technology to help you play games in your classroom and engage your special needs students in a way that's compelling and effective.
3. Use apps to practice skills.  Practicing handwriting is more fun when you can do it on an iPad with Space Boards.    Practicing math and grammar is more interesting when you can play a game.  (Have a favorite app?  Tell us about it here and you could win an iPod Touch or a $25 gift card!)
4. Utilize individual technology in your lessons.  Allow your special needs students to work at their own pace with individual technology.  (Need ideas? We have seven tips on how to effectively integrate individual technology into your lessons on our blog.)
5. Integrate podcasts and videos into your lessons.  Vary your teaching techniques—and accommodate various learning styles—by integrating rich media like podcasts and videos into your lessons.

Question for you:  How do you use technology to support your special needs students?

[#2]

Use interactive whiteboards to encourage students to work together and focus attention on the teacher.