Journal 4 : One Size Never Fits All

(NETS-T 2, 3, and 5)

Courduff, J. (2011). One size never fits all. Learning & Leading with Technology, 38(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-june-july-2011.aspx

      In the article, "One Size Never Fits All", Jennifer Courduff discusses the way one Southern California school district, Etiwanda School District, incorporated technology into general education classrooms, and then into special education classrooms, which is the focus of the article. Since special education programs have such a broad spectrum of needs and are so complex, they focused on "tiers not years" when implementing the program. They realized that it will take time, and to do it right, they should not rush it but rather work through the three tiers at a comfortable pace. Tier one includes a hands-on workshop for teachers, to learn how to use the ATToolkits which included Fusion writing program, headphones, and microphones. Tier two focuses on the development of e-portfolios for student-let conferences. The teachers also get a digital camera and case and memory cards for the portfolios.The raining in this tier is a hybrid of face-to face and online. Tier three moves toward more online and texting, and social networking as a way of communicating. Teachers and students refine the skills learned in the first two tiers and then start to incorporate new technologies such as student response systems, digital storytelling, and interactive whiteboards.
     The article then goes on to discuss the great success stories they have had in implementing this program. Some of the highlights have been in reading and writing skills by using text-to-speech and speech-to-text. Students who are not motivated to write have become much more excited by telling their stories to the computer as it writes it down, and then using the "Fusion" typewriter to help them with the physical aspect of typing. One student who had stage fright narrated his presentation in power point and it did the talking for him as he stood in front of the class. These stories touch the hearts of both the teachers and the families of the students who have struggled throughout the years.

QUESTION 1: What might be a reason why other school districts don't find the success that this one did?
Access to the technology might not be available in some places. The cost of the technologies themselves, as well as the time spent training and the effort involved might be an obstacle for districts who don't have a lot of money, or who do not place priorities on special education or on professional development.

QUESTION 2: What are some technologies that I would like to use in my future classroom?
Text-to-speech and speech-to-text seem very helpful for exceptional students. If I end up in a general education classroom (or special education classroom), I will definitely try to incorporate the interactive whiteboards and student response systems (if money permits). This article did not elaborate on them, but they are awesome technologies!