Introduction





//Mabuhay!// (means Long Live!) I am Mrs. Cyra Grace L. Atazan, a Special Education Teacher of Panorama Elementary School. I am teaching students with Autism on different grade levels- grades 3, 4, 5 and 6. I am handling a structured class of the Regional program.

I came from the Philippines and this will be my four years staying in this country. I had been a regular teacher and special teacher from our country for 20 years. I finished the degree of Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Masteral courses in Special Education.

I came in this country as Teacher Exchange Visitor. As a teacher exchange visitor, I need to share what I have learned from my teachings here to our country. Last spring break, I was given the opportunity to go home and share to my former collegues about the use of assistive technology in teaching Reading to students with special needs.

Maryland Teacher Technology Standards
Access, evaluate effectively and apply information efficiently and effectively. || 1. Identify, locate, retrieve and differentiate among a variety of electronic sources of information using technology. 2. Evaluate information critically and competently for a specific purpose. 3. Organize, categorize and store information for efficient retrieval. 4. Apply information accurately in order to solve a problem or answer a question. || A. Use technology effectively and appropriately to interact electronically.
 * ** Seven Standards and Outcomes ** || ** Indicators ** ||
 * ** I. **** Information Access, Evaluation, Processing and Application **
 * ** II. **** Communication **

B. Use technology to communicate information in a variety of formats. || 1. Use telecommunications to collaborate with peers, parents, colleagues, administrators and/or experts in the field.

1. Select appropriate technologies for a particular communication goal. 2. Use productivity tools to publish information. 3. Use multiple digital sources to communicate information online. || Demonstrate an understanding of the legal, social and ethical issues related to technology use. || 1. Identify ethical and legal issues using technology. 2. Analyze issues related to the uses of technology in educational settings. 3. Establish classroom policies and procedures that ensure compliance with copyright law. Fair use guidelines, security, privacy and student online protection. || Use technology to analyze problems and develop data-driven solutions for instructional and school improvement. || 1. Research and analyze data related to student and school performance. 2. Apply findings and solutions to establish instructional and school improvement goals. 3. Use of appropriate technology to share results and solutions with others, such as parents and the larger community. ||
 * ** III. **** Legal, Social and Ethical Issues **
 * ** IV. **** Assessment for Administration and Instruction **
 * ** V. **** Integrating Technology into the Curriculum and Instruction **

Design, implement and assess learning experiences that incorporate use of technology in a curriculum-related instructional activity to support understanding, inquiry, problem solving, communication and/or collaboration. || 1. Assess student’s learning/instructional needs to identify the appropriate technology for instruction. 2. Evaluate technology materials and media to determine their most appropriate instructional use. 3. Select and apply research-based practices for integrating technology into instruction. 4. Use appropriate instructional strategies for integrating technology into instruction. 5. Select and use appropriate technology to support content-specific student learning outcomes. 6. Develop an appropriate assessment for measuring student outcomes through the use of technology. 7. Manage a technology-enhanced environment to maximize student learning. || Understand human, equity and developmental issues surrounding the use of assistive technology to enhance student learning performance and apply that understanding to practice. || 1. Identify and analyze assistive technology resources that accommodate individual student learning needs. 2. Apply assistive technology to the instructional process and evaluate its impact on learners with diverse backgrounds, characteristics and abilities. || Develop professional practices that support continual learning and professional growth in technology. || 1. Create a professional development plan that includes resources to support the use of technology in lifelong learning. 2. Use resources of professional organization and groups that support the integration of technology into instruction. 3. Continually evaluate and reflect on professional practices and emerging technologies to support student learning. 4. Identify local, state and national standards and use them to improve teaching and learning. ||
 * ** VI. **** Assistive Technology **
 * ** VII. **** Professional Growth **

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//STEP GOALS FOR 2009-2010//

1. Enhance learning for all children through the appropriate use of technology in the classroom. 2. Collaborate with other teachers in the use of technology.

//Objectives ://

1. Reflect on classroom practices in order to use technology effectively and appropriately. 2. Draw upon appropriate curriculum frameworks to plan lessons and activities that integrate technology. 3. Share with other teachers the educational applications of technology and to keep pace with changing technology. 4. Work with other classes to integrate technology into K-6 classrooms.

Reflection Teaching students with special needs is a challenging work of a teacher. On how your are going to introduce to them the appropriate curriculum on their levels, have them on task, encourage and motivate them to participate in a whole classroom activities. The use of varied technologies like the computers, assistive devices, websites, projector, digital camera, video camera and document camera made a great a difference on students interest and learning. The teachers research work and preparation of the lesson are all accessible on a certain websites. There's a continuity on the flow of the lesson. The colorful, engaging and a connection on students life activities made a meaningful experience for them. And teachers are given a chance to share information to collegues and parents with less paper work.

As a mediocre in the field of technology, all I need is more hands on practice especially on creating sites in our classroom setting.