Comments on: Meeting the attention gap challenge http://blogs.capella.edu/capella_connections/2008/07/meeting-the-attention-gap-challenge/ Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:51:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Edris Ryan http://blogs.capella.edu/capella_connections/2008/07/meeting-the-attention-gap-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-23 Edris Ryan Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:41:06 +0000 http://blogs.capella.edu/capella_connections/?p=20#comment-23 This realization of the value of non-traditional forms of educational technology is timely. As a special educator and an aspiring scholar whose philosophy of professional growth is embedded in dynamic thinking, I am relieved that the value of technology is evolving to include a new direction in a non-traditional approach. The use of the cell phones in the manner described is remarkable and extremely logical. While great emphasis is placed on the academic use of the computer, there is the expectation that teachers disallow even the supervised use of the computer as a reward for small successes of academic achievement. For students with disabilities, I have found that students enjoy the computer for its worth as a mind relaxer and refresher as they engage in problem solving schemas and test themselves at comprehending the sequence of events and noted cause and effects in games. Teachers miss great opportunities to link the love of the computer and the immediate feedback given from making the correct decisions/choices in programs/games to the language arts, math, science, social studies and building of social and academic skills/habits. As the article reminds us, technology is part of the students’ lives, it is imperative that we unlock the young minds and nurture the positive habits by expanding the use of technology in non-traditional ways within the classroom. Its potential for assisting in student growth is tremendous. We need to relinquish some of those fears that the computer detracts from learning. This realization of the value of non-traditional forms of educational technology is timely. As a special educator and an aspiring scholar whose philosophy of professional growth is embedded in dynamic thinking, I am relieved that the value of technology is evolving to include a new direction in a non-traditional approach. The use of the cell phones in the manner described is remarkable and extremely logical.

While great emphasis is placed on the academic use of the computer, there is the expectation that teachers disallow even the supervised use of the computer as a reward for small successes of academic achievement. For students with disabilities, I have found that students enjoy the computer for its worth as a mind relaxer and refresher as they engage in problem solving schemas and test themselves at comprehending the sequence of events and noted cause and effects in games. Teachers miss great opportunities to link the love of the computer and the immediate feedback given from making the correct decisions/choices in programs/games to the language arts, math, science, social studies and building of social and academic skills/habits.

As the article reminds us, technology is part of the students’ lives, it is imperative that we unlock the young minds and nurture the positive habits by expanding the use of technology in non-traditional ways within the classroom. Its potential for assisting in student growth is tremendous. We need to relinquish some of those fears that the computer detracts from learning.

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