Special technology for special students (Week 1 & 2)

I never knew how much impact technology or rather, educational technology, actually had on us until I sat for my first Educational Technology class. What I learned from the lecture is that teachers usually do not develop technology materials or curriculum. Teachers are not developers of technology, they only now how to use it and this may not change in the future. Therefore, as a future educator, I think it is wise and pertinent for me to start equipping myself with useful IT knowledge. I feel that in today's world, a teacher not only have to be an educator but also an IT specialist. They not only have to know their content but also know how to integrate and operate advanced equipment and computer programs. Therefore, it is important for me, as a future educator, to be constantly adapting to stay current because as the role of technology in education is increasing, teachers cannot be obsolete in this area.

In the first lecture of this module, not only did we learn the different perspectives on technology users or the history of digital technologies. We also learned about the different types of technology facilities, both hardware and software. I never knew that there were many different types of hardware and software applications for teaching. For example, there is something called an interactive whiteboard which I didn't know about. To me, I think the most important or essential tool in teaching is one where it helps disabled students or students with special needs to have a more comfortable  and adaptable learning environment. E-readers and braille typewriters are very significant educational technologies created. An organisation, 'The Family Center on Technology and Disability released an awareness series called 'Assistive Technology in Action' to spread awareness of technologies that can help people with disabilities to participate better in school. In one of their video, they introduced a device which helps a woman with cerebral palsy. To me, I feel these are the kinds of advancements that governments should invest in.

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