The Case – Anika Jungheim
What strategies did Jim use to support Darlene in the classroom? How effective were these strategies?
“Jim and the staff at Darlene’s school had limited strategies in place to support Darlene in the classroom. For example, due to Darlene’s sensory overload from noise, she was supposed to enter the building after the initial morning hallway rush had subsided. However, Darlene repeatedly disregarded this, entering the building with the rest of the students so as not to miss out on classwork. Jim, Darlene’s teacher, was also aware of what Darlene’s escalating looked like and watched for it, but often failed to reach her in time to avoid an outburst. Knowing what Darlene’s triggers are, and watching out for them, is not an effective enough strategy when working with a student like Darlene.
As an education assistant for the school district, at one time, I provided one-to-one support to a student very much like Darlene. When we first began to work together, this student could also not enter the building in the morning with the rest of the school. A plan was put in place to provide the student with a soft start to the day. The student would meet me 20 minutes before the rest of the school entered the building. We would head to the classroom where the student would complete the morning agenda routine, have a snack, set up a daily schedule, and perhaps read a story if time permitted. This routine eliminated the mad rush of the halls and the sensory overload that would inevitably result from exposure to that. Other strategies that were put into place for this student were, break cards that the student could use when an immediate break was needed. A safe place for the student to go when they felt they were escalating had already been arranged and had been included in the student’s behavior plan. The student did not need to use words, but merely indicated where they were going with the break card.
Strategies that predict potential behaviors, and front load the student, provide the opportunity for the student to be successful in the classroom. It is also essential to have these strategies formal written into a behaviour or safety plan so that new adults working with the student can know the routine to step in as seamlessly as possible, avoiding unnecessary interruption to the student’s day.”
MY RESPONSE:
Hi Anika!
Thank you for sharing your personal experience, it connected with the article nicely. I agree with you about having strategies in place that predict potential behaviours. During my practicum, there were a few things set up in the classroom for students who were easily triggered and provided a safe place for them to go if they were feeling overwhelmed. It is important to know your students and always provide the support they may need and create a space that is safe. I also really like the idea of a break card you mentioned as it is subtle, but allows the student the opportunity to take a break if need be.
History – Taylor Miller
For over 50 years, schools have seen a series of technological bandwagons roll through. Which of these do you think have been the most significant and why?
“In the past 50 years, the technological advances in the classroom and throughout schools have been extraordinary. It is very hard to choose just one form of technology to choose as being the most significant, but in my opinion, it would have to be the computer. Computers are very useful and do not cross the line of being too invasive, as the biometric scanning in the cafeteria does in the case study does. Computers can be used as personal items, but can also have the rule of being for work only and as the teacher, we can block inappropriate websites or games. Computer labs made their way to schools in the 1980’s and classes would visit them, as if they would the gymnasium. I remember this being such a privilege when I was in elementary school and we would go to the computer lab to practice our typing or problem-solving skills with certain games. Learning how to type properly and efficiently has been an imperative skill, from having to type out notes during lectures to typing out papers/lab reports that I had to do in my undergraduate degree. It wasn’t until I went to university that I saw that everyone had their own laptop and it wasn’t just a computer lab that we got to visit. Then, while I was volunteering at schools, I saw that it was very normal for a classroom to have their own set of tablets but I thought to myself, how are the students going to learn how to type if there is no keyboard? During my practicum last semester, is when I finally saw a classroom set of Chromebooks in which the students were able to practice their typing as well as explore the internet so they were able to attain both skills of typing and how to properly research something. Therefore, the reason I believe having an actual computer at hand rather than a tablet is more important, is such that many jobs require the use of a computer and the ability to type.”
MY RESPONSE:
Hi Taylor,
“I want to say I completely agree with you, computers are an amazing technological innovation. They provide a whole new learning platform and a vast range of opportunities. I think of how we are moving into a more inquiry based education system and how students will be able to find more resources to help answer their questions. I was quite surprised when I entered an elementary school classroom after my many years of being out of one and seeing how the students were provided with chrome books. I remember having to go to the computer lab to practice typing and do some basic research. Now students have the opportunity to utilize the computers right from their classrooms. With technology progressing as quickly as it has, it’s important to keep students updated on these advances. Furthermore, it allows amazing teaching opportunities such as teaching how to properly conduct research and the importance of distinguishing between “fake news” and credible resources. I believe new teachers are entering this profession at an amazing time in that it is at the beginning of a curriculum shift and a truly incredible technological period of time.”
Implications for Practice – Meghan Naka
Given the increasing prevalence of social media in our lives and in our schools, how will you manage it in your classroom?
“When dealing with social media and its impact on the students it is important to discuss the guidelines and proper use so everyone is aware. Having these discussions especially with older grades is really important. Teaching them that what they put on the internet is permanent and that once you put it out into the world you can’t really take it back. Students in this generation have grown up with social media, and because it is so normal for them they don’t often see the implications. I think in my own teaching practice I would take the start of the school year to explain the guidelines the school sets for proper social media use and how cyber bullying is impacted by that. I would also take the time throughout the year to go over proper social media use and how it can be a very positive thing but also show how it can be hurtful. I think it is important for students to understand that social media is not the place to share all your thoughts or opinions. Having them understand that people will interrupt the words on social media differently and they may take it the wrong way. If Students are aware of these aspects of social media hopefully it will make them more conscious of what they choose to share. Social media is such big part of our lives and it can be used in many great ways in our classrooms. Teaching about social media and its impact is really important with the children growing up right now.”
MY RESPONSE:
Hi Meghan,
Social media can be a social hindrance. I like that you would address guidelines at the beginning of the year. I believe it is important to set up classroom guidelines and expectations at the beginning of the year so there is no confusion and it allows students the chance to grow and reach goals. Around the subject of cyberbullying, this is such a widespread issue that society is dealing with. Social media provides bullying a space where the bully can be anonymous, making it difficult to stop it from happening. It is important for the school to create a school culture that brings awareness to the negative effects of social media and strive for a safe and respectful environment. Unfortunately, this doesn’t prevent it from happening outside of the school, but educating students on the topic will hopefully be a step in the right direction.