1. Online Academic Support For Special Needs Students
Geri Kasper
Kennesaw state university
Bagwell school of education, Master’s in Instructional Technology
Capstone Presentation
July 15, 2014

2. Socioeconomic Effects On Vocabulary Acquisition
There is a gap in vocabulary knowledge between economically disadvantage and economically advantages that begin in preschool and is an important correlation to school performance.
Smitha Middle School is a Title 1 school with an enrollment of 914 students (total students served throughout the year was 1,333).
80% free lunch, 8% reduced lunch

3. Factors that Effect Lack Of Vocabulary Development
Children who come from Professional homes
Children who come from parents on welfare
Lack of exposure to cultural awareness
Lack of literacy rich environments
Parents lack of education
Number of family members
Lack of conversation between family members

4. Socioeconomic Concerns…
E=Emotional and Social Challenges A= Acute and Chronic Stressors C= Cognitive Lags H= Health and Safety Issues (Causes academic and social challenges)

5. School Behavior And Performance
Strong and secure relationships are essential to positive social skills
Emotional problems causes frustration and a poor attitude
Social dysfunction causes issues with collaboration and communication with peers

6. According To Research….
Vocabulary instruction must be taught in motivating and engaging ways for students that come from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
Traditional methods do not always work for these students.

7. Guiding Questions For Capstone Development
How can I utilize technology to foster student learning?
How can technology be used to change students’ academic behaviors?
How can technology facilitate vocabulary acquisition?

8. Online Learning Platform
A supplementary online course designed for special needs students to help master 8th grade physical science standards and elements.
The overall goals of creating an online learning environment for the students will provide equitable access to the curriculum and empower self-advocacy which encompasses academics and intrapersonal growth.

9. Kasper’s Physical Science Weebly

10. Teacher Resources

11. 3 Curriculum Units Explored

12. Energy Online Platform

13. Energy Web Quest

14. Remediate, Reinforce, and Repetition
Potential and Kinetic Energy Review
Unpacking Standards
Potential and Kinetic Energy Introduction
Energy Graphic Organizer
Energy KIM
Energy Vocabulary Practice-Quizlet
Energy Mini Web Quest  Energy Mini Web Quest Planning Guide Choice Power Point Presentation Potential and Kinetic Energy Collaborative Stations Please use Padlet to complete your closing after all stations have been completed. Potential and Kinetic Energy PHET Simulation Students will actively engage in the Energy Skate Park Simulation. Please complete the anticipation guide before you start the simulation.  Student Guide for students in flexible grouping Energy Mini Quiz . 

15. Positive Changes Technology integration Engaged students
Teacher motivation
Time spent on tasks decreased over time
Even the ADD, ADHD, LD students were focused and on task
3 curriculum units-Matter, Energy, Simple Machines

16. 2014 CRCT Results
21 out of the 31 students who had been not meeting the standards have now met the standards.
Only 7 out of the 31 students did not meet the standard.
Only 3 out of the 31 students were not full year-6.5% transiency.
28 students were in the class for the entire year-94%.

17. Positive Outcomes Overall!
Attendance issues decreased
Students were motivated to collaborate with their peers
Technology helped to keep students engaged and motivated in their learning
Students wanted to participate with technology (technology literate)

18. Concrete Results…
With FULL YEAR technology support integration 8th grade physical science students:
Will change their attitudes about HOW they can learn!
Will increase their vocabulary!
Will increase home-school communication via
Students Learning =
L=Love, E=Engage, A=Apply, R=Rock, N=Never Ending

19. References Creighton, T. (2003). The principal as technology
leader. Thousand Oaks, California, United States
of America: Corwin Press Inc.
ISTE. NETS. (2012). The standards for learning, leading
and teaching in the digital age. Retrieved from:
Opitz, M.F. (2011). Reading diagnosis and
improvement. Boston, MA: Pearson Education
Snyder, A.F., Coffey, D.J. (2012). Sailing across the
content areas with literacy strategies in the elementary
grades. Dubugue, IA: Kendall Hunt