Benefits of Assistive Technology User Groups for Early Childhood Education Professionals

Source:

Parette,  Howard P.,  &  Stoner,  Julia  B.   (9 October 2007)  Benefits of Assistive Technology User 


Groups for Early Childhood Education Professionals.   The Early Childhood Education Journal.  35

DOI: 10.1007/s10643-007-0211-6


I found it appropriate to discuss an article about Assistive Technology (AT) since this particular topic was talked about during class. The article that I found from The Early Childhood Education Journal focuses on specifically Early Childhood Educators and Assistive Technology for children. The article makes the point that educators who are going to be incorporating AT into their curriculum must be teachers who are interested, devoted to finding all kinds of different ways of using it, and most importantly, teaching fellow educators about it. The article touches on the fact that mainly what a lot of teachers need in order to learn about AT or any type of technology is time. Before teachers can use AT in their curriculums, they must find the time to learn how to use and understand the different technologies. The main goal of this process is to allow a teacher to explore the software and to become fluent and competent in using these technologies. Later on in the article, the author takes note of the benefits teachers being competent in these skills has for children- behavior, understanding and complying to appropriate behavior, and communication in a classroom. "User Groups" who learn about AT are encouraged to share and demonstrate their knowledge of certain programs with other teachers who may not be a part of this group of people. Most importantly, in order for competence of technology to be successful in a classroom, a teacher must use it once they have learned it in order to keep their skills fresh. User Groups have been expected to provide more one-on-one training and other workshops, especially as different teaching strategies that incorporate technology are becoming more demanding.

I liked reading this article because it served as a review for me since we discussed on Assistive Technology in class. I enjoyed getting information on this topic from another point of view. I really like that User Groups are being encouraged to teach their skills to fellow educators. There are several benefits to this; those teachers are learning from their coworkers, and these coworkers are brushing up on their skills with certain programs or software. I like the idea of teachers teaching other teachers, because I already feel as if most of the strategies that I learn or use have come from observing or sharing ideas with my peers and other teachers that I have worked with. Along with that point, we are all still striving for our ultimate goal as teachers- to provide our students with more ways to be successful in the classroom.