David+Midell


 * //OK, David - comprehensive! Please do mention concerns about website - one author? Credentials? etc. Otherwise great. kz//**

WEBSITE EVALUATION

[|Kids Together Inc.]

Kids Together Inc. is an organization based out of Quakertown Pennsylvania; the organization is an advocacy group for children and adults with disabilities. Stated on the site, to make their mission is “to promote inclusive communities where all people belong.” Their website is kidstogether.org. The web site is fun, colorful, the easy to navigate, and contains much useful information. There are links to articles written by scholars, Links to other informational sites, testimonials, instructional materials, current news in the field of special education, current and recent updates in special education legislation, and many other important pieces of information. There is a section on the site that states the goals of the organization; and I greatly appreciated this section. Two of the goals that I thought were particularly valuable were “Promote practices that improve the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities,” and “educate the public about inclusion and its benefits for everyone.” I believe that these are valuable goals because they are two of the aspects of special education that I think about more than most others. Something else stated in the goals that kidstogether.org does tremendously well is provide information about inclusion, special education, community, and advocacy to students, parents, teachers, administrators, and the general public. The site contains many articles on current and past special education legislation as well as new discoveries, techniques, and breakthroughs in the field. There is a section on the website in which articles are divided into categories. The categories include early intervention, inclusion, assistive technology, supportive employment, community building, as well as many others. This is one of the most informative sections of the site. Each category contains numerous articles and studies on the subject. Listed on the bottom of the main page are the words the site and kids together organization has received. These include the outstanding website award given out by the disability network as well as numerous other awards for being a family friendly organization and site. One disadvantage to the web site that I have found is the fact that certain articles and writings are geared towards residents of Pennsylvania; because the organization is based there, much of the material revolves around that area. This being said, most of the material contained in the website can be applied to anywhere in the United States or even the entire world. The only other disk advantage to the site I found was the fact that there is a song that plays on the main page very loudly. This may discourage some from visiting the site. Despite these few disadvantages, Kids Together is a wonderful organization Dedicated to educating people about individuals with disabilities and spreading Acceptance, inclusion, and peace, and their website reflects all of this.

Upon further examination of the site I have com to the conclusion that it may not be as credible as I originally percieved. The site's credentials were nowhere to be found and, the site having only one author, the information may not be as comperehensive as I had originally thought.

SOFTWARE EVALUATION

[|Cambium Learning Technologies Website]

Intellimath is a mathematics software program that can be used for a variety of different age levels. The entire Intellitools Suite costs $300.00 and can be run on a variety of different operating systems. The program is published by the Cambium Learning Technologies company. Within the Intellimath program itself there are many different exercises, games, simulations, and drills that can be performed by students. Upon first glance the program can seem confusing and cluttered but once one is accustomed to the way the program runs it can be educational and fun. The student is given options of a variety of different skills to practice; these include fractions, fractions as a part of the whole, addition, counting and number sense, problem solving, and observing real life as it relates to mathematics. The programs are flexible and can be adapted for a variety of different age levels. For example, within the fraction section, some of the problems can be used for students just learning about fractions and some of them are more advanced and can be applied to real life situations. Another positive quality the program has is the fact that many of the lessons are very colorful and could keep a student engaged for longer periods of time. Many of the problems involve animals which may also be entertaining for students of many different age levels. The primary function that the program serves is to provide students with a multi sensory learning experience that will entertain them as well as teach. Rather than just writing problems on a sheet of paper, the program is of a more participatory nature. Students are able to move objects and animals on the screen, punch in numbers, create fractions, and make mathematical observations about the world around them. In general, Intellimath is a far more interactive activity than simply computing problems on a sheet of paper. Another advantage to using this program is the fact that there is a lot of support available if one runs into a problem. The Cambium Learning Technologies website is extremely supportive, offers helpful suggestions and provides much information. Within the program, students have the ability to save their work which will enable them to improve in a more streamlined and efficient fashion. As stated above, upon first use the program can be slightly confusing. Some of the games and drill practices are setup in such a way that a student and may not be sure where to click or type to solve the problem. There are certain frames that are meant to be typed in and others that are not; this can be confusing as well. Despite these few drawbacks, Intellimath can be both educational and enjoyable for a wide variety of students.

K-12 MODIFICATION

For my modification I chose a student who I am currently instructing in our high school marching band. He is a student who suffers from AD/HD as well as an anxiety disorder. The modification I chose for him was for him to conduct the marching band instead of be a percussionist. He will use a metronome in order to keep a steady tempo in his mind as he is conducting; this modification in standard marching band duties will hopefully help him build a stronger sense of internal tempo as well as a sense of confidence through the success he will hopefully experience.