1. Loren Morgan Lmorgan787@holyfamily.edu http://lmorgan787.angelfire.com Research Topic: Technology in the Special Education Classroom Prepared July 19, 2007

2. Slide Contents Introduction Summary Findings Detailed Findings –A Plus MathA Plus Math –Children’s Storybook OnlineChildren’s Storybook Online –StarfallStarfall –FunbrainFunbrain –AAA MathAAA Math Conclusion Appendix

3. Introduction Geared towards special education students, particularly those with learning disabilities. Objective was to find different websites that incorporated the needs of students http://www.ldonline.org, defines learning disability, as a result from a difference in the way a person's brain is wired.http://www.ldonline.org They have difficulty reading, writing, spelling, reasoning, recalling and/or organizing information if left to figure things out by themselves or if taught in conventional ways. It is important special education students are taught to meet individual learning needs. I continue to see the benefits of integrating technology into the classroom. I wanted to research new websites that would be able to improve their reading, math, and writing skills.

4. Summary Findings Began my research for my Internet Address Book (IAB) by using, Google www.google.com.www.google.com I wanted to find websites that were useful for a wide range of levels. Wanted to make sure each of the websites were able to be used independently by all students. Also wanted to make sure each of the sites did not distract the students from their work. I was overwhelmed by the number of sites which incorporated all of the requirements I was looking for.

5. Detailed Findings The next following slides include reviews of my top 5 sites. I found these particularly valuable when using technology in my classroom. Below I also included a sample lesson plan format for integrating technology: Lesson Plan Format

6. A Plus Math APlus Math http://www.aplusmath.com/ offers many straightforward ways to enhance the skills.http://www.aplusmath.com/ Divided into 4 sections: flashcards, game room, homework helper, and worksheets. This web site was developed to help students improve their math skills interactively. You can visit the game room and play exciting games like Matho and Hidden Picture.game room You can also test your math skills with the flashcard section. It is also possible to create and print your own set of flashcards online using the Flashcard Creator.Flashcard Creator Finally there is a section for the educator where you can print worksheets to practice offline.

7. Children’s Storybook Online Children’s Storybook Online http://www.magickeys.com/books/index.html#books is a website filled with illustrated children’s book for all ages. http://www.magickeys.com/books/index.html#books It provides an extensive list of books that would appeal to all interests. Once a student picks a book according to their reading level and interest level, the book is then presented page by page with all illustrations. The students are able to flip to the next page at their discretion depending on their pace of reading. The following is an example from one of the stories:

8. Children’s Storybook Online Patrick never did homework. "Too boring," he said. He played baseball and basketball and Nintendo instead. His teachers told him, "Patrick! Do your homework or you won't learn a thing." And it's true, sometimes he did feel like a ding-a-ling. But what could he do? He hated homework. Then on St. Patrick's Day his cat was playing with a little doll and he grabbed it away. To his surprise it wasn't a doll at all, but a man of the tiniest size. He had a little wool shirt with old fashioned britches and a high tall hat much like a witch's. He yelled, "Save me! Don't give me back to that cat. I'll grant you a wish, I promise you that."

9. Starfall The next website I found extremely useful is entitled Starfall http://www.starfall.com/. http://www.starfall.com/ This comprehensive website is one of the most in depth websites designed for beginning readers. They also provide writing journals and books at a very low cost that can be used with the website or separately.writing journals and books Teachers are using Starfall materials as an inexpensive way to make the classroom more fun and to inspire a love of reading and writing. The activities start with very basic phonics skills that introduce different sounds to the students. The student is also able to click on the combination of letters to hear how it sounds.

10. Starfall The following image is an example of an activity from the “Learn to Read” section: Phonic Skills Word List17 unique words Short-a as in "rat" a and ants can fan had jam nap pan ran rat sat

11. Funbrain The following website, entitled Funbrain http://www.funbrain.com/, is a website containing both reading and math activities.http://www.funbrain.com/ They are then redirected to a page containing numerous games to choose from. Next to each game are the specific skills that game covers. Each game may cover seven to ten skills and are ordered from easy to difficult. The website is very easy for all students to navigate. The website also offers game to be downloaded and played offline. The following are examples of links to these games: Download the newest edition of "Math Baseball" - or watch your kids soar with "Planet Zug," the popular grade-by-grade vocabulary builder."Math Baseball""Planet Zug,"

12. AAA Math This final math site http://321know.com/ is a combination of an interactive site as well as a teaching site.http://321know.com/ AAA Math features a wide-ranging set of interactive arithmetic lessons. Practice is available on each topic which allows thorough mastery of the concepts. A wide range of lessons (Kindergarten through Eighth grade level) enables learning or review to occur at each individual's current level. Immediate feedback prevents practicing and learning incorrect methods, which is a common result of traditional homework and worksheets. Practice can continue as long as desired in a non-threatening format which helps build self-esteem and confidence.

13. Conclusion I have come to realize how extensive the list of websites are that cover a wide range of topics in both literacy and math. It is apparent how helpful technology in the classroom has become, especially in working with the special education population. Special education students need certain types of differentiated instruction in order to help them succeed in the curriculum. Introducing technology in the classroom is a type of differentiated instruction which all special education can benefit from. I hope others will be able to benefit and use the information I have provided. lorenaudio.wav

14. Appendix The following are hyperlinks to the files that were the foundation to my report. Research Excerpts File Internet Address Book Sample Page from Research Report