Amy West

Engineering Innovations

Students no longer need to sit passively in individual desks in rows and with the teacher in the front of the room. In order to prepare students for their future careers, classrooms need to shift to accommodate 21st century learning practices. I believe our special needs classroom will benefit by being able to participate and interact with their learning. Having a special needs classroom my students are already at a disadvantage compared to their similar aged peers. My students are multi sensory learners and I believe having interactive technology in the classroom will benefit my students on many levels. This year I want my students to feel empowered in their learning! Interactive technology will reach all my students learning styles and this will help them retain information as well as improve participation due to their disabilities. Interactive technology enables students to have a voice in their education. Having multiple types of disabilities in my classroom from ADHD to autism, interactive technology will benefit them in so many ways. My students have trouble focusing, staying on task, and struggle with paper pencil work. Many students have such poor motor skills and are unable to even hold a pencil, let alone write. Their hands will become weak and when this happens they will often avoid doing their work because they are just physically unable. Their avoidance turns into distracting behaviors for themselves as well as the class. I want to create a classroom where a variety of learning styles are able to be reached and I want my students to take control of their education. Allowing my students the chance to move around and interact in their education will create an engaging atmosphere that they will love to be a part of. Many of my students already feel defeated in their education. I want to create in them a love for learning and an excitement in them to want to learn. Building a classroom with multi sensory tools will enhance the education of these special needs students. The first phase in creating a multi sensory learning classroom will be implemented by creating a flexible learning environment for my students. A sensory integrated environment, various types of seating, as well as multi-sensory options will create a classroom environment that the children will love to be a part of. Adding an interactive board share will add and improve the children’s drive to want to learn and participate. Children with disabilities are often aware that they do not learn like the other children. Many of my children are physically unable to participate the way other children do. This will often times cause behavior issues, low self esteem, and a student who is avoiding classroom involvement. Boardshare will give my students access to a differential style of teaming.