Welcome to our guest, Natalie Muthersbaugh. Natalie teaches in Savannah, Georgia at Sol. C. Johnson High School in the Adaptive Program. This is her 23rd year of teaching, and one of the things she enjoys most is teaching her students how to use technology for real world problem solving.
Below are highlights from our conversation with Natalie. Hear the full conversation on the podcast using the link above!
Dru & Angie: What is your superpower? Pulling the kids to a level that they didn't think they could ever get to. Dru & Angie: Can you explain for our listeners what the adaptive program is? The adaptive program is for students with disabilities, and there are moderate, severe, severely and profoundly intellectually disabled students. We do an adaptive curriculum and that is why it is called the adaptive program. Dru & Angie: When you think about the technology you use with your students and the technology they need to learn to be successful, what sorts of things do you do to help them? The first thing we do is we teach them how to use a cell phone for things other than just playing games. They all have my number. They have to text me routinely. When we're out and about they will be given a task like to go find something in the mall and send me a picture of it. Dru & Angie: So many people right now are struggling with how to communicate online, when they are used to seeing people face to face? Did your students struggle with their communication? I think in the beginning, they struggled a little bit but I think we're at a point where it's working just as well, if not, maybe a little better than when they're in class. Dru & Angie: What are some ways that you encouraged your students to stay engaged in online? The way I set up my ITS learning is pretty fast paced. We go from one thing to the next pretty quickly and that keeps them focused. I always try to do something where we are learning together online and then they have to do something hands on. Dru & Angie: How do you see technology continuing to play a role with lesson delivery? I want to keep a good portion of it because I think the students are learning many important skills. The students and I do miss the one-on-one and hands-on instruction for meeting individual goals and learning objectives. How do you get your kids to come to school on time? Set your alarm! You have a phone set your alarm? period. Is there something you have latched on to that no matter what happens post pandemic, you will continue to incorporate in your lessons? Digital vocabulary books! Students can access the digital vocabulary books from their phones. Having access to them while on the go will be a big benefit. We want to thank Natalie for taking the time to share her story and giving us Somethin' to Tech About! Sending a HUGE shout out to
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