Assistive Technology for Students with Emotional Disturbances

     Students with disabilities are capable of great accomplishment in the classroom, but they sometimes require extra planning and strategies to ensure they reach their potential. In these cases, assistive technology can help to supplement classroom instruction and promote learning. One group of students that can benefit greatly from assistive technology are students with emotional disturbances. Under IDEA, our nation's federal legislation regarding education of students with disabilities, an emotional disturbance is defined as "a condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree that adversely affects a child's educational performance:
   A) An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory or health factors.
   B) An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers.
   C) Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances.
   D) A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression.
   E) A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems." (parentcenterhub.org) One common struggle for students with emotional disturbances is a short attention span, and an inability to concentrate on certain tasks for long periods of time. Another struggle is causing disruptions in the classroom, often as a reaction to intense feelings of anger, frustration or depression. Students with emotional disturbances may even start fights. These behavior issues interrupt their own instruction and that of their peers. Struggles with social interactions lead to rejection by their peers, which can further contribute to lack of interest in school activities. Along with these struggles, and largely resulting from these issues, students in this disability category are among the lowest achieving and frequently perform below their grade level.

      There are several types of assistive technology that can improve learning and combat these struggles for students with emotional disturbances. For example, since reading requires a lot of concentration and can lead to a frustrating experience for a child with an emotional disturbance, a text to speech device can help a great deal. Students are able to hear the text read aloud while following along on a computer screen. Text to speech computer software can read from a file or from a webpage. Tablets use text to speech technology as well, and can read digital books aloud. Tablets also provide the opportunity to change the voice of the reading, or the font size or color of the text on the screen. Click here to see a variety of text-to-speech options available for students. 

         In a similar manner, talking word processors can help students avoid extra challenges in writing. As the student speaks, the processor records the information in text format. When the student has written their thoughts, the processor can read the information back to them. By simplifying the process, students with emotional disturbances can work with less stress and are less likely to get upset and act out in the classroom. If they had negative experiences in the past with reading and writing, it may also help to negate fears or expectations associated with those experiences. This article provides more information about talking word processors.

   
             With continuous technological advances, the future of assistive technology is sure to be productive and helpful for teachers and students alike. Based on current technology use in the classroom, it seems that the most helpful devices are those which help prevent possible triggers in a student's behavior by helping to simplify classroom tasks. It is not usually helpful to draw more attention to the student, so those which are relatively quiet or personalized offer the best hope for success. Also, if technology is incorporated into a student's learning experience early, it may help create some stability for them to know that their devices can ease a lot of fears they have. I expect teachers and parents to continue to rely on and promote assistive technology for students with emotional disturbances for the foreseeable future.

References:
http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/emotionaldisturbance/
http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ967467.pdf
http://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/tools/software-assistive-technology/text-to-speech-readers
http://www.gpat.org/Georgia-Project-for-Assistive-Technology/Pages/WS-Talking-Word-Processing-Software.aspx

DL School Choices

For a class assignment, I took on the pretend-role of a parent hoping to enroll my child in a distance learning school. I researched five different Ohio options and listed my observations and thoughts below. Each respective website was also evaluated in terms of the clarity and understandability of information, the look and feel of the DL environment, and the presence of a FAQ page. I also included a general rating of "Would/Would Not Recommend" for each school.

School # 1: Ohio Connections Academy
Website: www.connectionsacademy.com/ohio-eschool
On the homepage, I was greeted with an invitation to chat about any questions as soon as the page loaded. There was also a banner with student and teacher testimonials, a short blurb about OCA, and an introductory video. The video was very high quality and included information about the school and personal stories from both students and teachers. There were also highlights from field trips and clips of teachers interacting with students through live lessons and phone communication. Overall, the website is very easy to navigate and seems to include all the information any parent could want or need. The website is professional and promotes the distance learning option as a viable choice for all types of families. OCA also prides themselves on designing their school around what works best for DL environments, as discovered through research. Their Family Support Program caught my attention - this added bonus includes orientations for parents and students, a program that connects experienced parent "coaches" with parents who are new to the school, and opportunities to connect local families through events and online communication.

Verdict: After exploring the website, I feel convinced that my child would have an excellent educational experience with OCA. They value academic instruction and encourage interaction between students, parents, and teachers, and they also promote social involvement between families. 5/5 Would Highly Recommend

School # 2: Virtual SchoolHouse
Website: http://virtualschoolhouse.org/
Exploring this DL option was not the greatest experience. On a practical note, the website itself is not very engaging. While the ads on the home page include colorful pictures that change back and forth, the rest of the page is a disappointment at best. Two of the first sections I found while scrolling down on the homepage are the School Calendar, which has not been updated since the last day of the 2015-2016 school year, and the Announcements section, which was completely empty! There is also a video at the bottom of the page that probably explains more about the school, but the sound doesn't seem to work properly. I could not find a FAQ page while clicking on tabs across the top of the page. My initial impression after visiting this website is that VSH is a school best used as a last resort - They advertise their credit recovery program and encourage site visitors to refer a friend known to be struggling. Overall, the website seems poorly attended,

Verdict: This website seems poorly attended, and didn't leave me wanting to entrust VSH with my child's education.  There are some potential highlights mentioned, such as art inititiaves and prom and graduation for high school students, but these alone are not enough to encourage attendance.
1/5 Would Not Recommend

School # 3: ECOT Online School
Website: https://www.ecotohio.org/
One of the first sections I found on ECOT's homepage was very practical, titled "Why ECOT?" The video posted below did a good job of explaining the school's offerings and included descriptions of various "paths" - Students can choose between a full day of live online sessions with teachers, or mix it up with some live sessions and some more flexible options. Field trips, social interaction and events with other ECOT families ensure a well-rounded educational experience, and high school students have their own social network to encourage further connection with peers. Teachers also schedule face to face meetings with parents and students. The website is user friendly and includes an updated school calendar, descriptions of roles parents can take on as members of the Parent Advisory Committee, and a section called "Who Benefits" with several relatable categories for prospective students considering DL options. You can also access FAQs by clicking on the info tab, but it did take me a few minutes to find them.

Verdict: The information and accompanying videos displayed on the website present a viable option for students interested in DL. ECOT supplies computers that don't allow surfing to unathorized sites, so this could help a lot with ensuring that students stay on track with their cirriculum. The program also includes plenty of opportunities for students and parents to engage socially with other families 5/5 Would Highly Recommend

School # 4: Ohio Virtual Academy
Website: http://ohva.k12.com/
OVA's website is somewhat plain but easy to navigate, and supplies ample information for families considering DL options. Prospective families can request information, attend a face to face or online discussion event, or call with questions. There is a video which provides a good overview of the school. (It comes off a little boring but still succeeds at presenting needed information.) After exploring a bit, I am impressed with all that OVA has to offer. They encourage parental involvement in student education, and teachers stay in contact with students and parents through phone communication and online. The OVA experience offers an Individualized Learning Plan for every student in attendance, and various course offerings include AP classes, multiple world languages, career builder electives and content for advanced learners. They also have a college credit program for qualified high school students. I couldn't find a FAQ page per se, but I felt that any questions I had about the school were answered from the provided information.

Verdict: I like the diverse course offerings, extracirricular activities, and other opportunities for social interaction that are provided through various clubs and student council. It also seems like teachers work hard to stay engaged with students and their families, and two-way communication is highly encouraged.  I would definitely feel comfortable sending my child to Ohio Virtual Academy.
5/5 Would Highly Recommend

School #5: Virtual Community School of Ohio
Website: http://www.vcslearn.org/
The website for VCS is engaging and user friendly, but there are some questions that I have after exploring the information provided. On a positive note, the school uses an interactive digital platform and holds one on one sessions with teachers. They also provide life skills coaching which looks extremely useful, including sections for single parenting, character development for K-3, conflict resolution, test anxiety, bullying, and more. Students can participate in clubs, and students that excel can be  recognized with awards and merit roll/honor roll. There is a helpful FAQs page that is separated into grade level, and it also includes a section for special education. One question I had was about the curriculum - the website states that grades 6-12 use Florida Curriculum??? There was also a video meant to promote the school, but most of the student stories were not relatable, at least for me. For example, I would never encourage my child to pursue athletics to the degree that it caused a need for a less structured school environment.

Verdict: Overall, I'm unimpressed with the offerings of VCS, especially when compared to some of the other options available in Ohio. I did really like the life skills coaching, but I don't think I would trust my child's overall educational experience with this setting.
2/5 Would Not Recommend  


I hope this information has been a helpful starting point for any parents who are considering the DL options! Of course, before enrolling a child in any of these schools, I would recommend contacting the school to set up a face to face meeting in order to ensure they could adequately meet your child's educational needs.

My Prezi

                                                                                                                                     

I want to teach high school math someday. In order to introduce myself to potential employers and future students, I created a Prezi with details about myself and my goals as an educator. I also included a couple of links that are helpful for fellow teachers to reference. 

This was my first time using the Prezi software, and I had some difficulty using it. I found it challenging to make the text fit in certain slides, or to organize pictures near text. I did enjoy how easy it was to switch the order of slides or add new items to the path. I definitely would prefer to use PowerPoint in the future since I am more familiar with it and can do a lot more with it. I'm still glad I tried something new though, and maybe I will get used to Prezi in the future!

Three Great Teacher Blogs

In this post, I want to share three teacher blogs that I find enjoyable and helpful:

1) MISS CALCUL8
http://misscalculate.blogspot.com/

"Miss Calcul8" is a blog created by a seventh yer math teacher. Her page dates back to 2009, and is full of posts that incorporate teaching ideas with her own personal experiences. The author includes sections for Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Trigonometry, and Algebra III. She also has a section with helpful links. Her page is colorful and fun, and the patterns are only slightly distracting. Check out her suggestions for new approaches to familiar math problems. I plan to visit this page a lot in the coming years!

2) GO FIGURE!
http://gofigurewithscipi.blogspot.com/

"Go Figure!" is a blog created with the purpose of curing so-called mathphobics. The author's belief is that anyone can learn math if they have the right instruction. She incorporates hands-on activities in her classroom and encourages other educators to do the same. Her blog has a wealth of posts, resources, and links to math games, and is sure to be a helpful resource for anyone hoping to teach math. I enjoy the colors and the organization of her page and I'm sure I'll be referencing it often!

3) LEARNING IS MESSY
http://www.learningismessy.com/

"Learning is Messy" is maintained by a former educator who now facilitates STEM education for both teachers and administrators. His page includes frequent relevant posts about STEM classes, and most of these include multiple video clips! He also has sections for student work and student-created videos, something that I would love to imitate in the future when I have my own classroom. His broad range of experience as an educator and as a public speaker gives depth to the content provided on this site. He strongly encourages the use of technology in the classroom, which is increasingly important in our tech-savvy younger generations. I appreciate his passion for STEM and I'm inspired to utilize this blog - the author himself cites blogging as one of his greatest classroom resources and is glad to be able to share that with others!

Welcome to My Blog

Hello everyone! My name is Sarah Ferris, and I'm an aspiring math educator. At 25 years young, I'm working for the Wexner Medical Center while continuing my education at Ohio State. Currently, I'm working on prerequisite coursework for the M.Ed program and I plan to apply sometime next fall! Outside of work and school, I'm an active member in a campus bible study. I also serve as a mentor for young adults, and I've had the privilege of volunteering in several middle school groups in our community. In my free time, I enjoy grabbing coffee with my friends, reading a good book, or going for the occasional run when time (and weather!) permits. 

I'm really excited about a career in education. In addition to providing students with the knowledge and skills they will need for future coursework and careers, teachers also have an incredible opportunity to serve as positive role models during the influential formative years of students' lives. Looking back on my own experiences, I can point to several examples of teachers whose involvement in my life (and the lives of my peers) made a difference for years to come. These teachers were passionate about their content and effective at creating engaging lesson plans, but they were also available to guide us and inspire us in many aspects at a time when we needed it the most. 

Like these examples, I hope to be committed to my students' success inside and outside of the classroom. In the classroom, I want to instill a passion for learning and create an environment where students are adequately instructed and challenged. Outside of academic success, I also hope to inspire my students to keep growing as people and reach their full potential. In a world full of trials and difficulties, I will offer encouragement, support, and advice when needed. My goal is to cast a vision for them beyond their high school experience; a vision that promotes finding their purpose in this life and making a difference in the world around them. My hope for future students is that they all mature into adults known for their strong friendships, strong families, and trustworthy character. 

My dream job would be to teach high school math at an inner city school. I have a special place in my heart for students who face the added difficulties of broken families and broken homes, as these circumstances threaten to affect their performance in the classroom. Of course, I will be content wherever I end up and will cherish every moment investing in our future generations!

I've added a few photos below. Enjoy!