One of the most important aspects of special needs classes is that they are designed to provide students with more personalized attention from teachers. Many special needs schools in Toronto are increasingly integrating modern technology into their lessons, which provides more opportunities for this personalized attention.
The importance of personalized attention
Children with autism, intellectual disabilities and other learning difficulties often require additional support to be successful at school. Even with the same diagnosis, no two children will have the same needs. This means it is important for teachers and other staff to listen to and work with students to identify their interests, strengths and weaknesses, which in turn will allow them to adapt their teaching approach so it is tailored to each child’s specific situation. For quieter children, or those easily overwhelmed, teachers need to make an effort to stop them from disappearing behind louder students.
Traditionally, special needs classes facilitate personalized attention through smaller class sizes, individualized instruction and differentiated teaching. Students can progress at their own pace rather than being expected to meet arbitrary targets based on their age. In the modern world, technology is also becoming an ever-more important tool in the special needs classroom, and when used correctly it can help students receive the personalized attention they need.
Use of technology in special education classes
Technology is an increasingly important part of living in and interacting with the modern world, but when working with students with disabilities it also becomes an invaluable assistive device. It can provide alternative ways to communicate for children with deficits in language or literacy; it can make it easier to organize timetables and remember deadlines; and it can connect teachers, students and parents both inside and outside of the classroom. This is why many schools make digital literacy a prominent part of their curricula.
Integrating technology and personalized attention
If a child is struggling to express their needs because of speech and language difficulties, there is software that can help them communicate, such as Read & Write Assistive Technology. Once teachers are aware of the issue, they can work with the student to try and find a solution. Personalized attention is much more effective when children and teachers can communicate effectively.
The use of technology also allows better monitoring of a student’s progress. Calendars and deadlines are more visible, and students can submit work online. This allows the teacher to evaluate the students on an ongoing basis so they can see if they are improving or if there are areas where they need additional support. It is also easier to communicate with parents to ensure that all parties are aware of the current situation and can coordinate as necessary.
For technology to be successful in the classroom and to ensure children receive more personalized attention, it needs to be available to all students. Often, this will mean the school itself providing a laptop or tablet to every child, complete with the necessary software. They may need some initial support learning to use this technology and ensuring they can access all relevant features. Digital literacy is a foundational skill alongside language, literacy and numeracy.
By integrating technology and personalized attention, special education classes can better adapt to the diverse needs of their students. This may reduce difficulties in areas such as communication and organization and will enable students to better achieve their full potential.