Last Week: Inclusion

Of course this is the right idea!
This has been done before--the boy in the plastic bubble starring john travolta
Great for long distance learning or for students who wanted a more diverse or challenging curriculum
THe human factor is very important
teach to every student

The video from Arisley School is a great example of how to use technology to teach 'hard to reach' students and its effect on those students, classmates, and teachers.

Mr. Crosby is definitely the kind of teacher that I want for my own kids. He is also the teacher that you want to work with. He is innovative (the previous video that we watched) and passionate (shown in this video). He is, I imagine a bit of a hustler who knows what he wants and figures out how to get it (grant writing and sponsor finding. Luckily, he does this for the students benefit!

Celeste is a great example of a hard to reach student. Because of her disease and treatments, it is not viable for her to go to a mainstream classroom as the risk of infection is too high. Other examples include but are not limited to: ADHD, Autism spectrum disorders, ESL, low income students (failure to thrive, etc), LD students, gifted and talented students, kids who are hungry, kids who are tired, unmotivated learners, and... wait a minute. That pretty much describes all the students! That must mean that...

Yes, teaching with technology is beneficial to all students! So, if all students learn better and more effectively with the use of technology, shouldn't all students have equal access to said technology? Then we should buy a computer for all students and we should teach all teachers to teach with the technology. Professional development should be a big part of whatever technology comes down the pipe.

We should not let Mr. Crosby be the 'special one'. He should be the norm! We should all be allowed to teach like he does! Educate us all and we will do it right! Hire teachers who are versed in technology and Web 2.0. Keep them up to date with technology. Utilize a system administrator who is interested in learning rather than how much everything costs and how to plug them in.

There need to be a fundamental shift in not only how we teach, but in how we are led, how we are supported, and how to raise awareness so that all students, even little Celeste sitting at home are allowed to learn to their potential.

Yours,
Aaron