Curriculum Based Measurment: easyCBM

I explored the website easyCBM to learn more about curriculum based measurement and experience the resources provided for educators. I watched videos reviewing what curriculum based measurement is, or more accurately, general outcome measurement as they say in the video. I also browsed the measures for progress monitoring including the students copy and assessor copy. In the Teacher Training I utilized the opportunity to test my proficiency in Group Administered Measures and Individually Administered Measures. The website was very informative and easy to access and explore. Although the videos were also very informational, it was a bit confusing for me to grasp exactly what is CBM until I began exploring the rest of the website, especially the section on Measures. It became more clear once I actually saw what the tests looked like and then how the tests are administered and assessed by educators. The Teacher Training was the most beneficial to helping me understand how CBM is used in the classroom and with individual students. I would consider using this in my classroom because the resources available just by registering for free are very useful and straightforward. Also because it provides copies of measures that can be assessed. I believe I could utilize it as it is and get away with not upgrading to Teacher Deluxe and paying for it. I would use what is available for free and not encourage my administrators to pay for these advanced features and licensing because it already has so much to offer as it is.

Technology Trends in the Classroom

Interactive whiteboards such as Smart Boards seem like such an incredible idea. Who wouldn't ooh and aah at a normal looking white board that contains so many technological tools with the touch of your finger? 

Well, recent trends in the use (or lack thereof) have shown differently. Schools who have spent thousands of dollars on this innovative way to improve learning are seeing their teachers under use, misuse, or ignore their interactive whiteboards. Many teachers are not properly educated in the variety of tools to be utilized with this technology. It is not used for its full potential and schools are not getting their money's worth. Other teachers may not even use it at all, using it as a place to hang posters or worse, staple students' projects like it's a bulletin board! Other are found hidden away in closets, completely unused and wasting the school thousands of dollars. 

I have seen Smart Boards used in classes and received a short training on its many uses. I do see the excitement and interest it could provoke from students when used properly. It is also an excellent way to get students up and engaged when they are given the opportunity to interact with the board. Especially in special education I see the advantage of displaying classroom items such as an interactive calendar, schedule, or attendance. Students who learn best visually would benefit a lot from interactive whiteboards.

Although I do understand the advantages of this technology, if given the option as a teacher, I would opt not to have one in my classroom. I would feel pressured to use it to its full potential knowing how much it cost the school. I would also consider that all my time spent trying to figure out all of the tools would be better spent on being creative myself and working with tangible objects to encourage learning in my classroom. I would prefer to plan lessons in which I could engage my students more with each other and myself than with another screen. 


Another piece of technology that is trending in classrooms is the use of mobile devices. Smart phones and tablets have always been banned from classrooms, but recently educators have been trying to find a way to use them as a tool to transform education. Especially with the outbreak of educational apps, many teachers have come to the conclusion that if they can't beat them, they might as well join them! If they can't keep students from using devices, they should let them use them for educational purposes. 

I would be interested to experience the effective and educational use of devices in the classroom. I know that it can be engaging for students and when they are engaged, who knows what they are capable of doing? 

From my own experience in a high school classroom, I have not seen any good use of technology. Students are allowed to use their phones for music if it helps them focus on individual work. However, it does become too much of a distraction. I could see the same thing happening with educational apps. Students most likely will become distracted and off task. It is just too easy and tempting to switch from the educational app, to a social media app or a game app. As a special educator, I would prefer not to use this type of engagement strategy in my classroom, because of these concerns. I understand this is the age of technology and we need to embrace it, but at this point it seems too risky to allow my students to use their devices in class. 

Feedly Screenshot

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying was defined by the Cyberbullying Research Center as “willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices”and includes four elements:

• Willful: The behavior has to be deliberate, not accidental.
• Repeated: Bullying reflects a pattern of behavior, not just one isolated incident.
• Harm: The target must perceive that harm was inflicted.
• Computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices: This, of course, is what differentiates cyberbullying from traditional bullying

Cyberbullying is considered to be especially damaging emotionally and psychologically because it is repetitive and the victim most likely has some kind of relationship with the bully through the internet. 

Stopbullying.gov provides a Lifeline for those who are left helpless and hopeless after being Cyberbullied: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

The Cyberbullying Research Center did a random sample from one school in the Midwest in February 2015. The results showed that 34% of the students in the sample have experienced cyberbullying at some point in their lifetime.   

Resources for educators, teens, parents, and adult victims are provided through the Cyberbullying Research Center.  Here is one resource, 10 tips to prevent bullying:

Time Management and Organization

In the high school Mild Cognitive Impairment classroom where I am student teaching, I have observed a lot of wasted time during class periods. The assignments the students are given to work on in class do not take most of them the entire period. Some students finish early and either sleep or play with their phones. There are also students who do not understand the assignment and therefore it takes them longer and are usually unable to complete it. There are class periods that make planning and time management difficult for the teacher as well. Some of the students return from Kent Transitional Center halfway into the class, and some students leave early for other assignments in the school. The teacher sometimes has meetings during class as well, during which the students are given tasks to work on individually. Teachers have so many responsibilities, that it can be difficult for them to give the students all the attention they need for instruction.

Blogs Used in the Classroom

Blogs are a useful way to share information with fellow educators. Thinking about my future as a teacher, I see how this blog and continued reading and posting can be helpful. As I gain experience and develop ideas in my own classroom, I can share those on my blog so that others looking for tips can put those ideas to use. In the same way I can search for and utilize tips and ideas other teachers, psychologists, occupational therapists and speech pathologists have shared on their blogs. This network helps educators stay connected, updated, and involved in what is currently happening in the Special Education world.

As a teacher, I would also teach my students the advantages of blogging. I may show them that when researching a certain topic, it may be useful to check out blogs related to that subject. I could also encourage older students to create their own and share resources with each other, with my supervision. Before having students create their own blogs, I would teach them appropriate use of blogs and what type of information should and should not be posted, because I can predict how students could abuse this resource. 

Educational Blogs

1. https://specialedandme.wordpress.com/ is a blog written by a Special Education Resource Specialist Teacher who teaches in a high crime, low-income school. She is dedicated to her students and willing to share educational resources on her posts.
2. http://teachersol.blogspot.com/ is written by an Exceptional Needs Specialist. She shares resources from her classroom for Special Educators and updates on her efforts to improve Special Education.
3. http://lifeinspecialeducation.blogspot.com/ is written by a Special Education teacher in an elementary school. She gives good tips on classroom management and provides helpful resources.
4. http://www.specialeducationadvisor.com/ has a variety of authors advising Special Educators. They provide information and resources about IEPs and Special Education.
5. http://www.alltogetherwecan.com/ is written by an Assistant Professor of Special Education. His blog posts focus on assistive technology.
6.  http://bilingualspecialed.com/ is written by an Associate Professor expert on Learning Disabilities for English Language Learners. She shares information, resources, and Professional Development related to Bilingual Special Education. 
7. http://specialeducationlawblog.blogspot.com/ is written by Attorney Jim Gerl. In his blog he explains Special Education Law clearly enough for anyone to understand. 
8. http://studentsgrow.blogspot.com/ is written by a Child and Adolescent Psychologist. She writes about her work with student's with Learning Disabilities and their dislike for school. 
9. http://abctherapeutics.blogspot.com/ is written by an occupational therapy company . They provide ideas for helping children with autism and sensory issues. 
10. http://www.breezyspecialed.com/ is written by a high school Special Education teacher. She posts resources and information about her experience in the Special Education classroom.