Molly


 * Journal Article Assignment **

Kingsley, K. (2007, September). Empower diverse learners with educational technology and digital media. //Intervention in School & Clinic, 43//(1), 52-56 The article "Empower Diverse Learners with Educational Technology and Digital Media" by Karla Kingsley discusses things that teachers can do and tools that they can utilize in using technology to help diverse learners. By diverse learners, she means students with learning disabilities, non-English speakers, and students with other special needs (blind, deaf, etc.). These things include using special computer programs to cater to the different disabilities and using special technological devices, such as special keyboards, to assist students who may be blind or facing other challenges. The article really focuses on what teachers need to do. Kingsley discusses receiving training on how to use the technology and computer programming, developing a strong communication with the technology supervisor, and actually using the technology in class instead of letting it sit and gather dust. I think that this article covered a lot of the different things that people discussed in their cultural presentations. I know that a couple of the groups mentioned using special keyboards and technology to cater to physical disabilities, which is one of the things that this article mentioned for teaching diverse learners. Another thing that we discussed in class was the importance of us, as teachers, to be familiar with and integrating technology into daily classroom activities. We also discussed how to teach students who are learning English as a language. I think that the idea of using computer programming is a great way to try to catch the student up to the other English-speaking students. There's a lot of different computer programming dealing with bridging language gaps. Another thing that we have discussed in class is developing a community with other teachers, which I think this article is promoting. By working with other teachers to integrate certain technologies into students' day-to-day lives, a bond is forming through teamwork and communication. I think that with the way the world is going, technology will only become more and more important in our lives, especially in schools. As new learning technologies are developed, I hope to stay up-to-date on how to use them. Through this, I think it will be easier to reach students and to generate interest in the subject matter. I think that this article touches on a lot of the things that we discussed in class on how to teach diverse learners using special technology. I'm sure that I will be implementing many of these ideas in my future classroom should I have students who would benefit more from the use of technology rather than traditional means.

Alisha- This article must of been really interesting to read about. Growing up and going to school myself, there was not a lot of opportunities to use technology in the class room, so its not the first thing I think about when thinking about teaching. But in this day in age, I think that technology is going to be a very significant part of students lives in the years to live. This is not a bad thing at all - as you stated, technology can help a lot of students succeed. I think that as a teacher, you need to be willing to learn new technology, and its good that you are willing to learn for you students. Good job :) Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson Ed 205 Text Talk Assignment

// Speak // is the story of Melinda Sordino. Melinda is a high school freshman in Syracuse, New York. At an end-of-the-summer party, Melinda was raped. Afterwards, she called the cops, but when the cops showed up, all they saw was under-age drinking. Due to this incident, Melinda has been branded an outcast because everyone thinks that she wanted the cops to bust them for under-age drinking. She doesn’t tell anyone about the rape. The story goes on to show the trials and tribulations that Melinda faces daily from her one-time friends to the boy who raped her. Throughout the story, Melinda skips classes and school. Most people give up on her, including herself, but her art teacher, Mr. Freeman, does not give up on Melinda. She uses her art project as a way of showing her personal growth throughout the story. In the end, Melinda has to find her voice again as she is faced with a second assault. Melinda is able to finally tell her story, and the person she tells it to is her teacher, Mr. Freeman.

The two diverse groups being depicted in this story are outcasts and rape victims. The protagonist of the story is branded an outcast and given the cold shoulder by many of her peers. Although this title is undeserved, she does nothing to defend herself from this harsh treatment. The cause of the whole situation was an attack that left her a rape victim. She is afraid and ashamed, so she doesn’t tell anyone about what happened even though it means she is misunderstood and treated poorly.

This text made me more aware of what may be going on with students who are outcasts. It made me more aware of the fact that there could be quite a bit lurking behind their quiet demeanor. Although I am very aware that some children unfortunately come from bad home situations, this text helps to show that there may be something happening that the parents may not even know about.

Although this text didn't really enhance my cultural awareness, it did help to show that you should never give up on a student, even if they have given up on themselves. They may just need someone who encourages them to try harder and not give up on themselves. You never know when you can be the one person who makes a difference in a student's life. I think that this makes it relevant to my teaching practice and classroom community because my goal is to create a space where students feel safe and welcomed.

I would recommend this text to others. It's an easy read, but the content is quite deep considering it's about a high school freshman. I also think that I would use this with students. However, it would depend on the age group I was teaching. Because it has sensitive subject matter, I would be wary to show it to students who are too young. That being said, I think it is a positive message for students to know that they should speak out when an injustice has occurred.