International Friendships for Students with Special Needs: Harnessing Technology to Bridge an Ocean

Autor/inn/en	O'Rourke, Susan L.; Martin, Marie; Brown, Lisa; Bauer, William; Dobbins, Michael; Schaeffer, Alice; Cartin, Donna; Pollard, Carol; Byrne, Daniel
Titel	International Friendships for Students with Special Needs: Harnessing Technology to Bridge an Ocean
Quelle	In: TEACHING Exceptional Children, 43 (2011) 4, S.8-15 (8 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0040-0599
Schlagwörter	Friendship; Adolescents; Foreign Countries; Computer Mediated Communication; Multiple Disabilities; Severe Disabilities; Peer Relationship; Communication Skills; Interpersonal Communication; International Programs; Teacher Collaboration; Video Technology; Electronic Mail; Interpersonal Competence; Computer Literacy; Educational Technology; United Kingdom (Northern Ireland); United States + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Freundschaft; Adolescent; Adolescence; Adoleszenz; Jugend; Jugendalter; Jugendlicher; Ausland; Computerkonferenz; Multiple disability; Mehrfachbehinderung; Severe disability; Schwerbehinderung; Peer-Beziehungen; Kommunikationsstil; Interpersonale Kommunikation; Lehrerkooperation; Elektronischer Briefkasten; Interpersonale Kompetenz; Computerkenntnisse; Unterrichtsmedien; USA
Abstract	Adolescents with multiple or severe disabilities often lack access to opportunities available to their typically developing peers, whose in-school friendships are often reinforced through other out-of-school, and sometimes interschool, activities. Limitations to these opportunities can be a result of attending a separate school designed to provide the specialized education needed in order for students with severe disabilities to be successful in life. Consequently, the very nature of the specialized school may create a barrier to the development of peer relationships beyond the boundaries of the classroom. Given the extensive medical needs of this population, creating opportunities for students to participate in typical adolescent activities (e.g., making friends and participating in social groups both within and beyond the classroom) is challenging. Although families are essential in providing these opportunities, typically developing adolescents manage this independently; students with disabilities benefit from a coordinated approach. This article describes a project that used technology to bring together adolescents with multiple or severe disabilities living in Northern Ireland and the United States. Through the combined efforts of educators in Northern Ireland and the United States, together with highly motivated students eager to learn and interact with their peers across the ocean, a successful learning environment was created in which teacher goals of improving communication and technology skills were exceeded and international friendships enriched student lives. (Contains 2 tables.) (ERIC).
Anmerkungen	Council for Exceptional Children. 1110 North Glebe Road Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22201. Tel: 888-232-7733; Fax: 703-264-9494; e-mail: cecpubs@cec.sped.org; Web site: http://www.cec.sped.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Publications1
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10