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=Welcome to Thematic Units EDEX 750=

 **Technology for Special Populations is a course in the study of technology applications for persons with disabilities and the use of technology for personal productivity for the special educator.**
 * The goal of this class is to prepare candidates to be contributing professional educators in the area of special education technology. As a professional educator, you will possess specialized knowledge in the applications of technology to support the Universal Design of the Curriculum for students with disabilities who have diverse learning needs. You will also have the ability to transform that knowledge pedagogically into a form appropriate to the classroom and the learner (knowing the subject from the perspective of both student and teacher) preparing the student for the transition from school to work or the educational setting and the client. You will learn the technology skills appropriate for a professional educator. This includes the integrity, justice, intellectual spirit and stewardship to integrate technology for students with disabilities. In this course, we address skills from CEC standards 4, 6, and 7 **


 * This wiki provides links to examples, previous units, lessons, unit checklist and information on UDL. Use this wiki to find out more about your unit project. **

__Objectives & Competencies:__
The candidates will:  1. Choose, use, and modify appropriate technologies to accomplish instructional objectives and integrate them appropriately into instructional and remedial methods and techniques.  2. Discuss instructional considerations, examine features of universal design for learning, and analyze research regarding the use and effectiveness of technology for diverse populations;  3. Develop an awareness of cost, source and range of technology configurations and resources available for all students including persons with disabilities and students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds;  4. Evaluate, select, develop, and adopt technology-based curriculum materials that respond to the cognitive, physical, and emotional characteristics of the learner and cultural, linguistic, and gender differences.  5. Integrate technology experiences and knowledge with classroom teaching, practicum, or other graduate classes;  6. Understand the importance of curriculum standards and objectives and how technology might be used to enhance instructional objectives, access the general education curriculum, and prepare students for the school to work transition and functional living skills;  7. Develop awareness and appropriate use and range of the adaptive and assistive devices available for persons with disabilities (i.e., communication boards for young children or students with severe disabilities; word processors and word prediction for students with learning disabilities; )  8. Discuss the ethical issues related to copyright issues and the use of technology for students with disabilities and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds;  9. Complete a technology integration curriculum unit which will include:
 *  Preparation of lessons that address curriculum standards and use technology applications as a tool to teach;
 *  Consideration of Universal Design for learning when creating lessons and assessments related to disability, cultural or linguistic background.
 * <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> Selection and adaptation of technology according to characteristics of the learners;
 * <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Consideration of technology to assist in the planning and management of the teaching and learning environment;
 * <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> Integration of activities that promote and encourage thinking, problem-solving, and other cognitive strategies to meet individual needs; and
 * <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Completion of a wiki or web page that includes all lessons, and instructional strategies

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">** Wiki updated and maintained by Cheryl A. Wissick, Ph.D. **
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">**Associate Professor, Special Education and Educational Technology, University of South Carolina** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> **Your suggestions are welcome so please send me email with additional resources.**