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Full-Text Articles in Education
A Preliminary Study: Do Alternative Certification Route Programs Develop The Necessary Skills And Knowledge In Assistive Technology?, Sherry Mee Bell, David F. Cihak, Sharon Judge
A Preliminary Study: Do Alternative Certification Route Programs Develop The Necessary Skills And Knowledge In Assistive Technology?, Sherry Mee Bell, David F. Cihak, Sharon Judge
Communication Disorders & Special Education Faculty Publications
A large number of special education teachers in the United States are prepared in alternative certification programs and insufficient empirical information exists regarding their knowledge of assistive technology. The purpose of this study was to conduct a preliminary investigation of alternatively licensed special education teachers' knowledge, experience, and confidence with assistive technology. One-hundred twenty-three special education teachers who were enrolled in an alternative license program were surveyed. The data indicated a significant positive relation between teachers' knowledge/usage and their confidence with assistive technology (r = .74; p < .01). In addition, the extent to which the teachers' perceived barriers to integrating assistive technology in the classroom were moderated by their level of confidence. The results are presented in the context of building special education teachers' knowledge and skills as well as affective issues regarding assistive technology.
Comparison Of Quality Of Life Perceptions Of Caregivers Of Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities In The United States And The Czech Republic, Sharon A. Raver, Anne M. Michalek, Jan Michalik, Milan Valenta
Comparison Of Quality Of Life Perceptions Of Caregivers Of Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities In The United States And The Czech Republic, Sharon A. Raver, Anne M. Michalek, Jan Michalik, Milan Valenta
Communication Disorders & Special Education Faculty Publications
Caregivers of individuals with disabilities in the United States have been reported to experience additional hardships than families with typical children as they attempt to balance family and work (Parish, Rose, Grinstein-Weiss, Richman, & Andrews, 2008). In this study, 31 caregivers of individuals with intellectual disabilities from the United States and 225 from the Czech Republic completed a qualitative quality of life survey. Similarities in the two groups were found in reported gains and losses from caregiving responsibilities. Differences in perceived spirituality, personal sense of peace and serenity, life optimism, ability to rejoice in life, personal life perspective, health, financial …