1. GSE 550 Educational Technology Wendy Davies
  Incorporating Traditional Tools with New Technology:   The Reaction of Computer Generated Organizers for students with Special Needs
GSE 550
Educational Technology
Wendy Davies

2. Times have changed…have you?

3. Introduction
Technology is changing the way in which we educate our students
Teachers need to change the way they instruct with these advancements
Technology is an asset for the future

4. Special Needs Students
Different learning profiles
More computer savvy than led on
How do we as teachers create the best learning environment?

5. Educational Significance
Technology is here to stay!
Mixing old with the new
No need to reinvent the wheel but to renovate!

6. Personal Interest Resource teacher Concept mapping with my students
Interest in Ausubel`s theory meaningful learning

7. Research Questions
What are the benefits to using technology in the classroom with SN students?
What are the students reactions in using technology?
What are the reactions of using Computer Generated Organizers as opposed to hand-written graphic organizers for students with SN?

8. Technological Tools Cmap Computer-generated Atlas
Others include Frayer model, cycle diagrams, etc.
All can be created for free online

9. History of Visual Organizers
Ausubels theory of learning (1960`s)
Novak`s introduction of concept maps
A versatile tool for many reasons

10. A Classroom Tool Facilitates the learning process, it is
“the use of lines, arrows, and a spatial arrangement that describe text content, structure, and key conceptual relationships” (Darch & Eaves, 1986)
Holistic perspective of the unit

11. Computer Generated Organizers (CGO)
"The repetition of using the graphic organizer and software helps to get the information processed into my head" (Boon, Fore & Rasheed, 2007).
Using CGO, students essays were well planned out and more organized.
CGO improved both the quantity and quality of the work being produced by students with SN.

12. Computer Generated Organizers (CGO)
After using CGO`s, 89% said they felt it was an effective tool for them.
Students used CGO`s but also incorporated pictures off the internet to go with each step instruction for their recipe

13. Conclusion Students were positive about the idea of using technology
CGO`s increased motivation and self-efficacy
In the case of CGO`s, felt more confident in their own work
Students felt CGO`s were an effective tool for them after using them

14. Limitations Small sample sizes
Technology is new and innovative. This could have sparked students interests for better results
Other unknown factors could have played a part

15. Future Research
The topic of CGO`s has not been studied extensively, yet it is a tool that is available to our students for free. More research needs to look at how to incorporate them into the leanring environment.

16. References
Biklen, D., & Schubert, A. (1991). New Words The Communication of Students with
 Autism. Remedial and Special Education, 12(6),
Blair, R. B., Ormsbee, C., & Brandes, J. (2002, March). Using writing
strategies and visual thinking software to enhance the written performance of students with mild disabilities. In No child left behind: The vital role of rural schools, 22nd Annual National Conference Proceedings of the American Council on Rural Special Education (ACRES). Reno, Nevada: ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education.
Boon, R. T., Fore, C., & Rasheed, S. (2007). Students' Attitudes and Perceptions
toward Technology-Based Applications and Guided Notes Instruction in High
School World History Classrooms. Reading Improvement, 44(1),
Brahier, D. J. (2005). Teaching secondary and middle school mathematics (2nd ed.).
New York: Pearson Education, Inc.
Brown, M. (2011). Effects of Graphic Organizers on Student Achievement in the
Writing Process. Online Submission. 
Darch, C., & Eaves, R. (1986). Visual display to increase comprehension of high -school learning-disabled students. The Journal of Special Education, 20, 309–318. 

17. References
Douglas, K. H., Ayres, K. M., Langone, J., & Bramlett, V. (2011). The Effectiveness of Electronic Text and Pictorial Graphic Organizers to Improve Comprehension Related to Functional Skills. Journal Of Special Education Technology, 26(1),
Driscoll, M. P. (2004). Psychology of learning for instruction. (Second edition).
Needham Heights, MA.: Allyn-Bacon, Inc
Horton, S., Lovitt, T., & Slocum, T. (1988). Teaching geography to high school
students with academic deficits:Effects of a computerized map tutorial. Learning Disability Quarterly, 11(4),
Novak J. D. & Cañas A. J. (2008). The Theory Underlying Concept Maps and How to
Construct Them (Technical Report No. IHMC CmapTools ). Pensacola,
FL: Institute for Human and Machine Cognition.
Sturm, J. M., & Rankin-Erickson, J. L. (2002). Effects of Hand-Drawn and Computer-
Generated Concept Mapping on the Expository Writing of Middle School Students with Learning Disabilities. Learning Disabilities: Research & Practice, 17(2),
Unzueta, C. H., & Barbetta, P. M. (2012). The Effects of Computer Graphic Organizers
on the Persuasive Writing of Hispanic Middle School Students with Specific
Learning Disabilities. Journal Of Special Education Technology, 27(3),

18. Thank you for your attention! 