|
|
 Ratings
|
|
|
| Reviewed: |
Aug 10, 2003 by Teacher Education |
| Overview: |
This site introduces teaching strategies science educators can use with students
with disabilities, suggested ideas for developing IEP science goals and
objectives for college-bound students with disabilities and related general
information.
|
| Learning Goals: |
The major learning goal of this site is for users to learn about teaching
strategies for working with students with disabilities in the area of science.
A number of disabilities are addressed. Users will also be able to access links
to organizations, resources, and additional materials to assist them in
teaching science to students with various disabilities.
|
| Target Student Population: |
Teachers in training, particularly those in general education, should be aware
of this site not only for their own education but to be able to share with
concerned others on their teaching campuses. Although the title of the site and
some of its focus targets science educators,
many of the strategies are broad
in scope and would assist any teacher. Instructors will appreciate this site for
its extensive links to other organizations and resources.
|
| Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills: |
Very little science knowledge/skill is needed to access the site or its links;
however, intelligent use is required as some sites and/or information are dated
and shouldn?t be cited as current if used in a class.
|
| Type of Material: |
Reference
|
| Recommended Uses: |
Higher education faculty could use this site as an introduction to including
students with disabilities into the general education curriculum and as a
reference point for subsequent assignments. Additionally, instructors could use
this site as a starting point for research into disabilities. It would be an
excellent resource for students in Introduction to Special Education classes to
use as a foundation or for general and special education teachers to use as they
begin to collaborate on meeting the needs of students with disabilities in
general education classes.
|
| Technical Requirements: |
Many additional links are provided and all major links indicate they are
?java compatible.? Some of the sites, links, and materials have not been
revised, however, since between 1999 and 2002.
|
|
|
|
| Strengths: |
The site includes excellent informational resources for (1) teaching strategies
for disabilities/impairments, (2) individualized educational plans for
pre-college students, and (3) related information. The purpose of the site is
to provide a broad array of general strategies and resources to assist educators
or others in meeting the needs of students with disabilities. For this purpose,
the site achieves its goal.
|
| Concerns: |
The reviewers' major concern is that the Webmaster appears to have stopped
updating the information in 2002, although the vast majority of links to other
organizations and resources work and provide current information in those
particular area. Some information is sufficiently outdated; for example, the 800
numbers were last revised in 1999 and the data on disability frequency were
created in 1996. Also, most strategies provided in the different disability
areas are VERY broad and general and not necessarily specific to science
education only (although that may also be viewed as a positive aspect).
|
|
|
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool |
Rating:    |
|
| Strengths: |
This site could be extremely effective in teacher training. While it focuses on
science education, many of the guiding principles of working with students with
disabilities are the same across disciplines. This site could be used in many
ways. Instructors could use it as a source for students to access as they
familiarize themselves with issues related to persons with disabilities. The
sheer number of links, sites, and resources is impressive. There are a variety
of products identified that may be of use to interested students and instructors
as well as parents. General and special education teaching majors could
access this site to learn about general strategies for working with students
with disabilities in core content areas.
|
| Concerns: |
Some of the suggested materials (i.e., books, videos) are from the 1980?s and
early 1990?s and would not currently be of assistance to teachers or parents.
Not all aspects of this site practice ?person-first language? (e.g., child with
a disability instead of disabled child) which is frustrating for instructors who
are trying to ingrain this into their students. Some of the key definitions
(i.e., the DSM definition for ADHD) are also too old to be of use.
|
|
|
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty |
| Rating: |
|
| Strengths: |
This site is simple to negotiate. All text is easily readable. Links within
the site all work logically. The user can maneuver within the site without
getting lost, if familiar with sites having multiple links to multiple Web
pages. Previous, Menu, and Next buttons are very helpful for navigation within
the site. Some of the links provided are to major organizations that will be of
great benefit to users (e.g., Council for Exceptional Children, LDOnline, and
Foundation for Science and Disabilities).
|
| Concerns: |
Some of the information on the main page of this site is outdated, as is some
information on a few links. The majority of links, however, work well and
provide accurate information for the user.
|
|
|
| Other Issues and Comments: |
This site is not Bobby approved. Users will want to thoroughly explore all
links contained within this site to locate all available resources and
information.
|
|
