Syrena Brinkman

July 2, 2014
EDET 620
Professional Development
Response One

1

Scenario:
Suppose you are in a job interview for a position in education. This might be your first
professional teaching job, or a position that appears more desirable for you if you are currently
teaching. You are in the prospective school's office and the person interviewing you is the
principal of the school. She/he asks the following question:
"How can you use technology in your classroom?"
Response:
I would respond by saying that technology is useful and expands children's knowledge in
numerous ways. Since there are multiple ways in which children learn, having the visual,
auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic means to teach students will allow them to connect to the
material in their own manner; enabling it to become more meaningful. Since I want to teach in a
special education preschool classroom, I believe that technology allows these children to develop
the necessary skills to become more functional and independent. Depending on the severity of
the children's disability, these technology tools can strengthen fine and gross motor skills, assist
them in communicating effectively, and enable them to become more mobile within the
classroom setting. This enables each child to feel more self-sufficient, and increases their
feelings of self-worth and competency, while also strengthening the classroom community.
Technology can sometimes break down the barrier that children have when interacting within an
inclusive setting, and this can allow the children with disabilities to learn from their typically
developing peers, and vice versa. As the use of technology has increased drastically in today's
society, this is sometimes the best way to gain children's attention, and enable them to become
more engaged in the lesson being taught.
I could implement the use of technology in everyday situations by providing the children
with both high-tech and low-tech technologies. The high-tech technology that can be used is a
SMART board, and activities such as signing in each morning, counting the number of objects,
and displaying various graphics and videos that can be discussed with the children can be
implemented each day. Computers can also be used for children that are older, so they can play
basic math and language activities to strengthen their abilities, and expanding their mental
capacities. Depending on funding, each child can be given their own iPad, or an iPad can be
used in the classroom to allow the children to make decisions for lunch or snack, and learning
how to count or their ABC's. I can also implement the use of low-tech technologies such as the
PECS board, pencil grips, and adaptive spoons or forks. Each of these tools can aid the children
in becoming more independent, and allowing them to make their own decisions. For children
that suffer from communication disorders, or other social skills, the PECS board can be
Syrena Brinkman
July 2, 2014
EDET 620
Professional Development
Response One

2

implemented so the children can select what they desire each time they eat, drink, or complete an
activity so they can feel more in control, and become more active throughout the entire process.
Providing children with pencil grips will allow them to strengthen their fine motor skills, and be
able to hold onto objects in a more firm manner so they can still complete tasks thoroughly.
Giving children the ability to use adaptive spoons and forks will encourage them to be able to eat
on their own, and develop the necessary skills to become functional individuals. Incorporating
technology into the classroom is not only beneficial, but necessary for children of all ages, either
with a disability or typically developing. I plan on providing my future students with multiple
opportunities to use technology on a daily basis.