RISK FREE BLOG, Week 2

What impact does that least restrictive environment have on the job of the general education teacher, on the quality of life for students with disabilities, and on students without disabilities?
Least restrictive environment= as much as possible, children who have disabilities must be educated with children who are not handicapped.
Although the least restrictive environment is in many cases the best situation for a special needs student to be placed it it often does create more work and makes life at times for difficult for all involved. Teachers must create environments in which both disabled and non disabled students will thrive. This can involved modifying lessons plans and classroom structure.
At times it is often difficult for student that are not disabled to understand why a disabled student is in their classroom and how they are to act and treat this student especially in the younger grades. An example of this is given through Katie's story within the text. One of the techniques that her mother used each year in Katie's classroom was to go in at the beginning and explain and answer any questions the students may have about Katie.
The non restrictive environment is often described as helping the disabled student. Through this process these students are given a more equal education and are able to work with student there same age. What is often times not talked about is the fact that this environment also plays a large role in the life of the non disabled students. This gives the students the opportunity to work with the disabled students, help them, volunteer and take responsibility. " It seems to me as though inclusive education naturally promotes what the national movement in schools proposes to teach:universal values(Kirk, 2009, p.47) ."
How are special educators using technology in the instruction of exceptional students?
It is often due to students with special needs that teachers and faculty have become more willing to incorporate technology into there classroom. Teaching these students has forced them to use means that they never would have considered in the past. Theses devices include computers adapted to special needs, hearing aids, print magnifiers, and machines that trace eye movements as the students read. There are two different categorizes of technology for students with special needs. These include assistive and instructional.
Assistive= tools that enhance the functioning of people with special needs. This could be braille for someone who is blind and hearing aids for those who are deaf. This is what truly helps the disabled communicate. Without the power of communication students are not able to learn. If I was not able to hear or speak how would I communicate with the teacher in order to learn the material.
Institutional= involves the computer and related tools that support and expand the computer's usefulness. This is in most cases being used in order to deliver material in a more effective and appropriate manor.