Standard 1 - Teaching Diverse Students – The competent teacher understands the diverse characteristics and abilities of each student and how individuals develop and learn within the context of their social, economic, cultural, linguistic, and academic experiences. The teacher uses these experiences to create instructional opportunities that maximize student learning.
Artifacts AEDU 216 Introduction to Exceptional Children
Disability Presentation: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) - A presentation on the teaching strategies and accommodations that should be considered for students who have Autism.
Characteristics and Causes - A research paper detailing characteristics of autism and the possible causes.
Strategies, Accommodations and Modifications - A research paper on the strategies for a classroom that contains students who have autism, along with accommodations and modifications that aid in the support of students who have autism.
Rationale, Standard Connection, Self-Evaluation
In Fall 2018, while taking AEDU 216, Introduction to Exceptional Children course, I completed research on Autism Spectrum Disorders. The three artifacts above include, a PowerPoint presentation, a paper on the characteristics and causes of Autism Spectrum Disorder and a paper on the strategies, accommodations and modifications for a student who has Autism. My PowerPoint presentation includes a sensory video and a video example of what a behavior could look like for someone who has Autism Spectrum Disorder. Each of these artifacts played a role in helping me gain a deeper understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder and the purpose of utilizing accommodations and modifications for those students.
When completing the PowerPoint presentation, I was able to strengthen and grow my knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorders. The purpose of the characteristics and causes paper is to identify why supports are needed for a student with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Illinois Professional Teaching Standards knowledge indicator 1D states that the competent teacher "understands the impact of cognitive, emotional, physical, and sensory disabilities on learning and communication pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (also referred to as “IDEA”) (20 USC 1400 et seq.), its implementing regulations (34 CFR 300; 2006), Article 14 of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/Art.14] and 23 Ill. Adm. Code 226 (Special Education)". The PowerPoint Presentation and the characteristics and causes paper allowed me to understand how to identify Autism Spectrum Disorder and how the disability can greatly affect student learning.
My second paper labeled, strategies, accommodation and modifications provide examples that would best assist students who has Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Illinois Professional Teaching Standards Knowledge Indicator 1G states, the competent teacher "understands how to identify individual needs and how to locate and access technology, services, and resources to address those needs”. Each student is unique and learns at their own individual pace. This paper touches on behavior, transitioning from one activity to another, individualized instruction and sensory needs of students who have Autism Spectrum Disorder.
This project has grown my understanding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as well as the accommodations/modifications, behavior interventions, differentiated instruction and specific individualized needs for students who have Autism Spectrum Disorder. I have years of experience working with students on the Autism spectrum but completing this research has given me the skills needed to develop further as a educator. Through these three artifacts, I have shown my understanding of strategies, accommodations/modifications and various ways to create individualized plans for students.
Artifact AEDU 202 Fine Arts in Education and Physical Education
Chinese Culture PowerPoint Presentation - A presentation with interactive activities I created with other classmates to inform our colleagues of the Chinese culture.
Rationale, Standard Connection, Self-Evaluation
During the Fall of 2018 I completed AEDU 202 Fine Arts in Education and Physical Education. In this class, I completed a Chinese Culture PowerPoint Presentation with a group of classmates. During this presentation, we informed our other colleagues about the Chinese culture and engaged them in a variety of activities including a Zen garden, a cultural dance, Zhinese jump rope and a shadow puppet activity.
This artifact shows my competence in meeting the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards knowledge indicator 1E that states, the competent teacher "understands the impact of linguistic and cultural diversity on learning and communication". The Chinese culture presentation also shows my competence in meeting the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards performance indicator 1L that states, the competent teacher "uses information about students’ individual experiences, families, cultures, and communities to create meaningful learning opportunities and enrich instruction for all students". Developing this presentation shows my desire to understand other cultures and incorporate diversity into my lessons. During my time as an educator, I will teach my students about the various cultures and the traditions that pertain to those cultures. It is important to incorporate all student(s) experiences, cultures and beliefs into the classroom.
My experience in the creation of the Chinese Culture presentation was enjoyable. It was great to see my colleagues having fun creating a Zen garden and participating in Chinese jump rope, dance and a shadow puppet show. I think culture can be used in a variety of ways in a classroom and should be used to engage students learning while promoting insightful knowledge. I plan to implement culture and diversity into my future classroom in a variety of ways.