RE: computerdisc-l: Inclusion

[Cynthia Kahler <kahler@watervalley.net>]

Inclusion students, by virtue of their special needs, have always presented 
special challenges in my classroom.  I've tried to make those at decision 
making levels understand their own personal needs as administrators when 
learning to use the computer.  By virtue of the subject, it demands as much 
one on one as possible.  Special education students, it appears, require 
one-on one-more because of their "problems" than most.  So what do you do?? 
 I know I can't sometimes get to everyone that needs help in one class 
period, much less the special education student that is use to essentially 
one-on-one assistance most of  the time.  Therefore, they often get lost 
very quickly.

We've urged that a special ed teacher be trained and spend a period in the 
classroom to assist.  Unfortunatelly this has never happened.  This year a 
university intern from the university spends time in the other teacher's 
 classroom that has the most special education students in one class 
period.  This seems to be helping.  Unfortunately all schools don't have 
that option.

In my opinion, until the special ed personnel and administrators understand 
that computer skills are more vital to their students than to others, we 
have a problem.  These may really need the skills to survive more than 
most!!

The only thing I've been able to come up with is allowing extra time to 
come in and complete lessons and to get other students to assist when 
possible and they are willing.  I've found it very difficult to "cut down" 
on the work, because then it's difficult to show profficiency.

Sorry to expound, but this is a problem near and dear to my heart - and 
very frustrating to overcome.  I'd love some suggestions too.

Cynthia Kahler
Oxford Middle School

-----Original Message-----
From:	Patti Flint [SMTP:pflint@panola.com]
Sent:	Tuesday, January 19, 1999 7:20 PM
To:	computerdisc-l@Lists.MsState.Edu
Subject:	computerdisc-l: Inclusion

How do you each handle inclusion students in your classrooms?  I find many 
of them progressed nicely throughout the keyboarding units but are not very 
bogged down in Word Processing.

Patti Flint
Batesville Jr. High
 << File: ATT00000.html >>