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 * __//Special Needs Technology Online Collaboration Group//__

Members**

1. Lisa Couch, Director of Special Programs, YES Prep Public Schools - Houston, TX 2. Rey Doria, Director of Special Education, YES Prep Public Schools - Houston, TX 3. Leah McCune, School Nurse, Bear Boulevard School, Spring Branch Independent School District - Houston, TX 4. Mary Nikirk, Principal (retired), Eugene Field Elementary School, Houston Independent School District - Houston, TX 5. Wilburn L. Couch, Music Teacher, Evan E. Worthing High School, Houston Independent School District - Houston, TX 6. Cohort 11 members of Lamar University Educational Technology Leadership


 * Purpose**

The goal of this online professional learning community is to promote technology use in the classroom, with emphasis on special needs learners. The members of this group represent three different campuses within the Houston area, as well as those districts across Texas that are represented by the cohort 11 members.

It is universally accepted that all children can learn. With immeasurable advances in technology, today's child has become a different kind of learner. Will this difference enable special needs learners to master educational objectives more easily with the assistance of technology? We are just beginning to realize the potential of technology in the classroom; it becomes essential to utilize this potential to the benefit of all students, especially those with special needs. Through collaborative effort, we can share best practices and newly discovered strategies for technology integration that provide the greatest opportunities for learning.

By sharing and learning from each other, we make strong progress toward reaching the goals of the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology (LRPT). Focusing on Educator Preparation and Development of the LRPT, STaR Chart data will be analyzed to give us a starting point and a benchmark from which to proceed.

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