Learning Focus

Throughout District 57 incredible teachers are exploring the use of tools and methods to help students achieve to the best of their ability.

Patrick Black, a special education teacher at Fairview recently presented at a nationally recognized Assistive Technology Convention here in Chicago (ATIA 2009). Patrick's presentation focused on how web 2.0 tools can assist students with significant cognitive disabilities to participate in student-centered learning.

As Patrick writes in his description of his presentation; "As receptive learners, with limited expressive ability, they needed much modification to be successful in student centered learning. Using web2.0 tools like Diigo.com,
Voicethread, and Tarheelreader.org, the students researched a topic, and had an opportunity to share it with their parents and peers. By allowing the students to have input into the work they were doing, they were more involved and interested in the topic. The opportunity afforded by sites like Voicethread, and Tarheelreader allowed the students to express themselves while not having a voice of their own.".

Patrick's experiences and reflections can be read on his blog.  You can also see a Prezi presentation from the conference as well.