Richard D. Solomon's Blog on Mentoring Jewish Students and Teachers: Web tools and resources for special education teachers

Monday, June 11, 2012

Web tools and resources for special education teachers

When mentoring our pre-service and in-service teachers we need to describe and model both research-based and clinically tested best practices, and demonstrate how these best practices can be applied in the real (i.e. physical) and virtual (i.e. online) classroom for both teaching and teacher training. The combination of face to face instruction in a physical setting and online learning is called blended learning. In this section of the blog we will describe how the internet can serve as a supplemental resource for instruction and the mentoring of pre-service and in-service Jewish educators. In this post we will discuss web tool and resources for special education teachers.

Note: In no case should this blog be construed as a major or primary resource on special education.

Assumption: The teacher or mentor teacher has a interactive white board (i.e. SMART Board, Promethean, etc.), a Tablet PC (also called a Slate or Blade), a computer presenter or computer with internet access attached to an LCD projector in the classroom. It would be ideal if students or mentees had access to their own laptop computers or Ipads. Given parental and school approval, and the development of specific guidelines, smartphones can be used to enhance instruction as well.

Note: Although the web tools and resources described below can be applied in the Judaic Studies blended learning classroom, it can be also be used for training pre-service and in-service Jewish educators for professional or staff development. It is our hope that Jewish educators around the globe will form an online community of practice, a CoP, a group of people who share an interest, a craft, and/or a profession, to enhance the delivery of instruction and training of Jewish educators. For example, here is a CoP you might want to join.

Note: The web tools and resources listed below can be used in both a physical and virtual Judaic Studies classroom.

Web resources and tools for special education teachers from http://www.teachingtips.com/blog/2009/09/07/100-useful-tools-for-special-needs-students-educators/

FASD Toolbox for Teachers: Teachers working with kids with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder can use this special needs handbook to learn how to teach study skills, problem solving, math and social skills.
Classroom Management: This toolkit can help teachers work with special needs kids more effectively.
StudyDog: Special ed teachers of Pre-K, kindergarten and 1st grade students will find lesson plans for interactive reading assignments here.
Special Education: New special ed teachers learn how to use bulletin boards, set up their classrooms and prepare for their unique students.
Resources for Early Childhood Special Education: Preschool Zone: Preschool teachers with special education students in their classes can turn to this toolkit for lesson plans and more.
Education Ideas and Resource: Special Needs Special Kids has put together these tools and guides for teaching young kids basic skills.
Outside the Box! Especially for Teachers: Special needs and special education teachers can use the glossaries, articles, curriculum ideas, assessment tools and more on this site.
AT Basics: Learn how to set up your keyboard, computer and classroom for hearing and visually impaired students.
SERGE: Check out the Special Education Resources for General Educators site for a FAQ page, tools, and support.
teAchnology: The Online Teacher Resource has a special education page for teachers of students with behavior problems, physical disabilities and more.
National Association of Special Education Teachers: NASET’s website offers all kinds of resources, references and tools for special education teachers.