The Brightest of Bright Spots

 As I mentioned within my posts last week, I have only recently begun my journey as an educator. In the last four months, I have been exposed to so many great technology advancements that benefit the lives of both students and educators. My favorite, however, impacts the life of one of my own students. 

In my class, I have a student who uses an AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) device for their means of communication. Working with this student was the first time I had seen this device being used in a classroom setting, and I had lots to learn about how to use it and how to best assist my student in doing so. When I arrived in the classroom, the student was very against using this device. I could tell that it did not quite yet feel comfortable to them to use, and it had many steps- which even for me would feel overwhelming. The paraprofessional that works with this student has spent hours and hours perfecting the device and assisting the student to promote the use of the device without forcing it on the student. 

As the paraprofessional and I have continued to work closely with the student and the special education teacher, my student has rapidly become more and more comfortable with the device. So much so that they are using this device to start conversations with peers, ask more direct questions, and even has started to carry the device by themselves. I was overjoyed to watch this progression and saw that the child was growing so much so quickly. 

The use of the technology allowed this child to have a voice and have a say in what they do or don't. This device and this student serves as a bright spot for me because recently the special education team and other members of the student's support team have been interested in creating other ways for the student to communicate. They worry that the device hasn't grown on the student enough and want to add more and focus on the negative within the device. 

It was interesting to hear this feedback because as I mentioned above, it seemed that overnight the student was able to communicate with their 1:1 and myself, and then just as quickly, with other children in the classroom. I want to celebrate the growth the child has experienced with this piece of technology and not stress about other options or 'lack of growth'. This device is a bright spot because my student now has a voice. This journey is only beginning for them, and there will be plenty of time to integrate new pieces of technology. For now, I want to focus on the bright spot the student has created. 

This student's drive inspires me and makes me curious about what else is out there that could benefit them as they got older. While I do not want to change anything now, it has made me interested in exploring other pieces of technology in the works for other children or adults who are non-verbal.