Technology use has become as standard in today’s classrooms as it has throughout every other aspect of our lives: jobs, family life, personal finances, etc. While students used to carry a stack of textbooks to school, now they’re carrying laptops—even at the elementary level. The paper notebook, in many cases, has been supplanted by the computer notebook.
Technology has always been designed to make the user’s tasks easier to complete, whether it’s an assignment for a class, a time-sensitive project for an employer, or annual tax documents. For students with developmental and learning disabilities, the need for technological assistance in education is even greater.
Special education is geared toward students living with a broad range of conditions, including blindness, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Down syndrome, motor impairments, and autism. Estimates show that more than 7 million students living with disabilities are attending public schools in the United States, and individuals with specific learning disabilities or speech or language impairments make up the majority of these students. Technology in special education can help these disabled students keep up with their peers to the extent possible and prepare for future success.
Various assistive technologies are being used for special education students today. These include:
Virtual reality environments can help autistic students in stressful situations where they deal with crowds, such as hallways, school assemblies, and the cafeteria. By encountering these scenarios in a nonthreatening virtual environment, these students can gradually become accustomed to them and will be better prepared to respond calmly and appropriately in real-life situations. Virtual reality also gives students with motor disabilities the ability to manipulate objects that they are unable to manipulate in the real world.
These devices are useful for visual learning, reading, drawing, and watching videos. They can help students with motor impairments improve their coordination and those with reading disabilities comprehend written information via text-to-speech apps. Further, students with autism respond very well to using these devices to learn. Numerous apps have been created specifically for autistic students.
NOVA Chat is a dedicated speech generation device that, in conjunction with text-to-speech programs, provides assistance to students who have reading disabilities. It reads text aloud and also converts speech into text on the screen.
This software is designed for students who have reading disabilities. It enables users to customize a learning program for each individual student, giving those students fluency goals and tracking their progress as they continue to learn through the program.
Known as a handheld augmentative communication device, DynaVox xPress helps students develop greater reading fluency and natural speech patterns and pronunciation. The device uses a combination of text and images to express language to and increase the vocabulary of the user.
This software offers interactive lessons in reading and math that provide students with individualized attention and tailored education plans. In addition, it gives the parents of the students the ability to view their child’s learning progress.
The central purpose of technology in special education is to enable students to learn in a way that accommodates their individual learning styles and limitations. Equally important is helping them experience:
Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation, a Columbus, Indiana public school district with approximately 12,000 students, provides one example of how technology in the classroom can help students with special needs excel. According to a U.S. Department of Education report, students in that district who were hesitant to communicate face-to-face became engaged in class discussions in the online setting. After the school district implemented universal design for learning (UDL), an approach that incorporates digital books, specialized software and websites, screen readers with a text-to-speech feature, and other technology tools, graduation rates increased 22% for special education students.
While much of the technology mentioned here is user friendly, these innovations aren’t always easily implemented in the classroom. Tools and applications may have a learning curve for the teachers who will be tasked with using them and demonstrating their use to special education students. With internet-enabled devices, there’s also a risk that students’ attention will be drawn away by websites or other functions of the technology that aren’t germane to their coursework.
The University of Texas Permian Basin offers online master’s-level programs in special education that can prepare students to take on the challenges of technology and other aspects of special education as teachers. In their roles as educators, they’ll be able to use technology to improve their students’ learning abilities and, consequently, their lives. Each of these CAEP-accredited degree programs explores the use of technology and innovation in the classroom:
Technology and School Change—a required course in these programs—was created to help students acquire a deeper understanding of the impact technology has on education, especially as it relates to students with disabilities. Course objectives are to understand that impact as it currently exists and what it may be in the future, as well as to examine how educators can use technology across all educational settings to positively influence the learning environment for all students, disabled or not.
Students in any UT Permian Basin special education program can complete Technology and School Change and all their other required courses in a 100% online classroom that allows self-paced learning from any location. The core degree program and autism track can be completed in as little as 12 months, and the educational diagnostician track can be completed in as little as 24 months.
Learn more about UT Permian Basin’s online Master of Arts in Special Education now.
Sources:
https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator_cgg.asp
https://tech.ed.gov/files/2017/01/NETP17.pdf
https://www.iste.org/explore/Innovator-solutions/How-special-education-technology-improves-learning
https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2018/12/05/five-top-technology-trends-in-special-education.html
You’ve used various materials throughout your education to help you understand important topics and concepts—textbooks, videos, presentations, and more. While in our younger days we may take these materials for granted, as we grow, we sometimes wonder, “Who decides on all of this? Where does it come from? What kind of degree is required for that job?” That’s where a curriculum specialist, sometimes referred to as an instructional coordinator, comes into the picture.
Curriculum can be defined as all the educational content presented within a class or at a school. A person with the title of curriculum specialist has many crucial duties, including:
A master’s degree is typically required in order to become a curriculum specialist in general education or special education. This position appeals to a wide variety of professionals, including teachers, childcare workers, social workers, and anyone who wishes to work with people who are living with disabilities, and it can be rewarding in many ways. Overall, curriculum specialists set the educational trajectory for young students and the teachers who are guiding them through their education.
Compensation can vary for curriculum specialists, depending upon the job sector in which they work. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2019, the mean annual wage for curriculum specialists working in government is $76,270; in elementary and secondary schools, $70,690; in educational support services, $67,580; and in colleges, universities, and professional schools, $60,910. Median pay for curriculum specialists in the United States is $66,290 per year.
A curriculum specialist who chooses to work in the special education field can positively impact young lives through education. He or she also has the added opportunity of helping students with learning and developmental disabilities gain critical knowledge that can enable them to transcend their limitations and live more fulfilling lives.
As we discussed above, the path to a career as a curriculum specialist for special needs students begins with a master’s degree. The University of Texas Permian Basin offers three online master’s-level special education degree programs that can prepare you for a role as a special education curriculum specialist. You can choose a general program or one with a specific focus.
This program is designed for individuals who want to enrich the lives of students with developmental and learning disabilities. Our MA in special education explores the importance of technology and innovation in the contemporary classroom and shows students how they can overcome some of the unique challenges teachers face today, such as limited resources, issues of diversity and inclusion, and identifying and addressing individual student needs.
Program highlights:
This program is designed for individuals who wish to address the differing needs of students on the autism spectrum and help them live more fulfilling lives. Our MA in special education, autism spectrum disorders track examines the role of technology and innovation in today’s classrooms and illustrates how teachers can overcome unique modern challenges, including resource limitations, parental involvement, diversity and inclusion issues, and recognizing the specific needs of students on the autism spectrum.
Program highlights:
This program is designed for individuals interested in diagnosing and evaluating the learning needs of students. Our MA in special education, educational diagnostician track considers the place of technology and innovation in the classroom and provides comprehensive training in the use of standardized and curriculum-based assessments to discern learning or developmental disabilities in students.
Program highlights:
In addition to traditional financial aid and GI Bill options, you may qualify for a TEACH Grant. The TEACH (Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education) Grant provides up to $4,000 per year to students who are completing the coursework necessary to embark on a career in a high-need teaching position such as special education curriculum specialist. UT Permian Basin proudly participates in this essential program.
Earning a master’s degree in special education online from UT Texas Permian Basin carries with it many benefits. No campus visits are required. Our programs feature asynchronous, 100% online courses that enable you to complete your coursework at your own pace, from any location with internet access. This is a tremendous advantage for on-the-go students who may be balancing their education with professional and personal responsibilities.
Depending on which program you choose, you can select from six start dates per year and finish your degree in as little as 12 months (or as little as 24 months for the educational diagnostician track). Our online courses are taught by the same acclaimed faculty who teach on campus, and when you graduate, your degree won’t say “online.” It’s the same degree you’d earn if you had attended classes in-person and carries the same prestige and the same weight with employers.
If you’re looking for a rewarding career helping special education students learn and grow, special education curriculum specialist may be the role for you. A master’s degree in special education from UT Permian Basin can help you acquire it. Learn more now.
Sources:
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/instructional-coordinators.htm
Educational leadership is as important as it sounds. But what exactly does it mean? A quick web search will offer many different meanings. Still, they share one central idea: helping educators perform their best so students can thrive.
The impact of educational leadership is broad and far-reaching. As a leader in education, your influence can be felt from the classroom where teachers and students interact to the boardrooms where tomorrow’s leaders make important decisions, and everywhere in between. Educational Leadership Roles: Key Positions and Career Paths
In terms of professional roles, educational leadership encompasses the following:
These, too, share a common element: they each require a master’s degree. A master’s degree in educational leadership can be your next step toward a leadership position in elementary and secondary schools. Graduate degrees put you on the path to increased career potential and can enhance your professional credibility in education and in many other professions.
Aside from the fact that it’s a requirement, a master’s degree in educational leadership is where you hone leadership expertise. As a student in an MA in educational leadership program, you’ll undergo training in a diverse range of crucial areas of leadership, including:
An MA in educational leadership prepares you to become a school leader that drives positive change by improving educational processes in elementary and secondary schools.
Pursuing a career in educational leadership offers a wide range of personal and professional rewards. As an educational leader, you’ll not only have the opportunity to influence the lives of students and teachers but also shape the future of education. Here are some key benefits of stepping into an educational leadership role:
As an educational leader, your role directly impacts teachers and their ability to succeed. Here’s how you’ll help:
By leading schools, you shape the futures of students. Key benefits include:
Pursuing a career in educational leadership not only offers the opportunity to make a significant impact but also provides attractive financial rewards. Consider the following salary insights:
If you’ve already earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and have at least one year of teaching experience, you’ve already met some of the major requirements to enroll in a graduate degree program. You’ll also need to meet minimum GPA requirements and may need to submit additional requirements such as essays or letters of recommendations.
Certain educational and professional requirements must be met before becoming an education leader. Beyond that, however, there are a number of key personality traits you should possess.
As a principal, for example, you’ll regularly interact with fellow administrators, teachers, students, and parents, “people skills” are critical in this position.
The BLS suggests that the most important nonacademic skills for those aiming for a leadership role are:
Thinking about taking the next step in your education career? These frequently asked questions address what a master’s degree in educational leadership involves, why it’s important, and the kinds of roles it can prepare you for.
An online Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from The University of Texas Permian Basin has many advantages. Asynchronous, 100% online learning means you can complete coursework anywhere, on your own schedule. (Students already working demanding jobs in education or balancing your education with family obligations—we’re looking at you.)
Our flexible program has six start dates a year and enables you to earn your MA in educational leadership in as little as one year. It features the same curriculum and acclaimed faculty members who teach on the UT Permian Basin campus at the College of Education, which is accredited by the prestigious Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Our online program has practicum experiences that help you prepare for principal certification and superintendent certification opportunities ideal for students seeking K-12 educational leadership roles within Texas.
Learn more about the benefits of UT Permian Basin’s online Master of Arts in Educational Leadership today.
Sources:
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/elementary-middle-and-high-school-principals.htm
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes119032.htm#(2)
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/elementary-middle-and-high-school-principals.htm#tab-4
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