Our Educational Policy Paper states that every child has an inherent right to education and that every child can learn. However, data collected from National Tests and Secondary Entrance Assessments (SEA) scores show that many students still score below the thirty percent that is required for placement into secondary schools. A fairly significant percent of these children are those with special needs. Studies done by Rhodes & Milby (2007) show that electronic books or eBooks as they are frequently called, can be effectively used to support students with disabilities as well as struggling readers.
Children need many opportunities to read. Traditionally, teachers provide time for repeated text readings using tape recordings. However some children require additional support . Technology in the form of electronic storybooks can provide the same benefits as audiotaped books but with the added multimedia effects such as sound, animation and interactive activities to support student understanding of the content. (Shamir & Korat, 2006).
Students with both physical and learning disabilities can use eBooks to enhance text format and the opportunities available for multiple readings. I distinctly remember having a student with a visual disability in my class last year and enlarging print for her to read was a challenge. The use of eBooks would have made learning so much less complicated both for her and me.
Teachers can meet the needs of students of varying abilites by using the multimedia features of computer applications and Internet sites. By using teacher created eBooks, students can gain access to literature and so deepen their understanding. For children with physical disabilities, the physical turning of pages is unnecessary and through multiple readings, students can acquire vocabulary, comprehension and fluency with the text.
Although many eBooks are available, as seen in this course, teachers can produce eBooks that are directly related to their curriculum with little effort using Microsoft PowerPoint. Integrating eBooks with instruction helps to level the playing field fr students with disabilities.
I find that I myself am truly impressed with the eBooks. I especially like the teacher created eBooks geared towards visually impaired students. With the mainstreaming that is the current trend in education for special students, I can see a wealth of possibilities coming out of the use of eBooks in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteSeveral years ago, I too had a child who was blind in my class. He had tunnel vision (that means that he could see as through a hole, but was considered blind legally), and I wish that I knew then what I know now, because eBooks could have worked wonders for him. Simply bringing the joys of reading alive for him would have been worth the effort.
Another student (Vera Bhajan, I think you know her, She was born without arms), is the ideal person to benefit from eBooks. It is firstly so much easier to use a toe to press a button and turn pages than to actually turn the pages using her toes. In addition, the Kindle and other iBooks would greatly benefit her. She is currently a student at Hugh Wooding, but it is never too late to apply the technology. I hope she knows the great benefits of eBook to her. Anything to make life easier is a good thing as I see it.
Bringing the benefits of this course as it relates to different students is a great way of applying what we learnt. If more teachers were exposed to what we have learnt here, so many more students would stand to benefit.
Thanks for researching and writing on this topic.
Hi Chandai,
ReplyDeleteYes, I know of Vera and the possibilities that eBooks and other forms of technology hold for persons with various disabilities. Isn't this wonderful?
The only sad thing is that most of the time the people who need the technology most of all are the ones who cannot afford it. However, I think the government is taking a step in the right direction to level the playing field by providing laptops to all secondary students.
Like you, I know that it is never too late to learn technology, I am living proof of this!
Thank you for your kind comments.