1/8/2023
Topic:
Students with Disabilities
Kevin Bogdan
|
In previous years, I had a student with a physical disability, we will call him Christopher. He had some complications at birth that resulted in limited functionality with the limbs on the front side of his body and also impacted some elements of his executive functions. Christopher is a vibrant and funny child that loves music even with his limitations. In middle school, he became a percussionist where he could play limited or altered musical parts with his left hand.
When he joined the high school marching band we worried about how we would include him in the marching show design. After thoughtful consideration, we were able to connect a laptop to an electronic drum pad and novation launch pad. He was responsible for cueing the electronics that tied the marching show altogether. Seeing the smile on Christopher's face when he hit the cue for the final note of our marching show is a memory that I will never forget. He had one of the most important roles in the whole show and made a huge impact in our success. After the show was over and we regrouped at the band trailer to discuss the show, he stepped out in front of all of the band members and shouted "I hit the final note right on time!" The whole band erupted cheering on Christopher and his success. This accommodation is one that I am so proud of. Instead of putting him into a role that simply satisfied his participation we were able to give him a role that was vital to the success of the entire show. At times, it was very stressful to play trust in Christopher and there were indeed times when I questioned whether or not it was a mistake but in the end, seeing his growth and the pure joy on his and other students' faces, I know it was all worth it. |
1/8/2023
Topic:
Tools and Strategies
Kevin Bogdan
|
- Describe at least one way you have used technology to meet the needs of a student with a disability in your classroom. Be sure to describe the specific technology and how it assisted the student with a disability.
In previous years, I had a student who was visually impaired and often had a hard time reading the sheet music normally provided. The student was fortunate enough to have an Ipad that they could use regularly in class. I would scan their music and upload it to an app called fourscore. This app allowed the student to be able to make notations on the app, zoom in, make the music larger, and change the page of the music with a blue tooth foot pedal. This allowed the student to participate in class normally and without any issues because the sheet music was now large enough for the child to read fluently.
Additionally, there is an app called "Music Scanner" where you can take a photo of the music and it will automatically create an MP3 and a Finale File. The student is then able to listen to the music that is on the page. We used this to create practice tracks that the student could use to practice with at home when the sheet music wasnt clean or easy enough for them to read. |
1/8/2023
Topic:
Assessment of Learning
Kevin Bogdan
|
- Describe an example of an adapted assessment you have successfully used in the fine arts classroom for students with disabilities.
Currently, in my keyboard class, I have a student with an IEP. We are using an online system called piano marvel. It is pretty ingenious in that the keyboards in the keyboarding lab can be plugged into their 1-to-1 student laptops and they can practice along with the materials on the program and the program will grade their performance very accurately.
The student in question struggles to internalize and follow the tempo of the program but when the student plays the excerpt alone without having to follow the program they are very consistent and play the piece accurately. I have begun manually assessing the student's performances with them playing along with the metronome. The function is the same but the student no longer has to focus both on their playing and following the program/computer screen. Since making this accommodation, the student is far less frustrated, progressing faster, and is now ahead in their curriculum progression. |