Technology for Teaching and Learning ‘Technology—we can’t live without it but can we live with it? For almost a century, the Sunday papers have featured a comic about Dick Tracy, a tough detective with a special wristwatch for two-way radio contact with headquarters, a magical device that was the envy of every child (including me) for several gen- erations. Today, we may carry an iPhone, Android, or a Blackberry in ‘our pockets and purses that enables us to interact with anyone, at any time, in any place, in any medium—a reality that surpasses our childhood fantasies. Not only can we communicate but we also can explore, study, work, play, and shop—all accomplished with a tiny tool that fits in the palm of our hand, We also tote lightweight tablet and laptop computers in our briefcases and carryalls with software to generate text, images, and data wherever we 0. We use social media sites such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter to dis- seminate our newly created digital media quickly and easily to a global community—a development that goes far beyond the cartoonist’s vision. In 2ist-century homes, schools and com- munities, our lives have been trans formed by these technologies. In this issue, we explore how spe- cial educators employ such technolo- gies, using * Desktop conferencing and collabor- ation software to develop inter- national friendships between students and teachers in Ireland and the United States © An electronic whiteboard to assist students with autism spectrum disorders to develop social skills 6 COUNCIL FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN Barbara Ludlow through social stories and self modeling. * Multimedia slide show software to design individual or group learning activities that enhance motivation for and engagement in academic content. ‘* Multimedia presentation software to create an electronic word wall to teach students how to read and pro- rnounce new vocabulary words. * Document production software and web browsers as tools to create and manipulate digital text to support the development of reading skills. * The animation feature in multi media presentation software to create attention-getting devices and visual prompts in early titeracy lessons for young children. ‘Although educators have enthusias- tically embraced these technologies to support their personal and professional productivity, sadly, according to some recent research, they have been slow to adopt these technologies to enhance student learning. A nationwide survey of school technology directors (Light- speed Systems, 2009) revealed that many teachers were using online tools for communication with parents and students and access to multimedia learning resources, but few or no teachers were using virtual learning, environments, social networking tools, or student-generated online content, questioning their instructional value and believing students lacked skills to use them effectively. But another national survey of secondary students (Project Tomorrow, 2010) found a “digi tal disconnect,” with students routinely using these tools to study academic content, engage in collaborative learn- ing activities, and complete hom outside of school, but prohibited their teachers from using them i classroom. Students were using, technologies to create more pers ized learning experiences than 1 teachers could provide. ‘The Partnership for 21st Cent Skills (see http://www.p2l.org) identified four critical learning 0 comes for today's students, one which is information, media anc nology skills. Students must lear become proficient in using the d devices and software application are available today and will be ¢ oped in the future, However, the cussions around 2ist-century ski have not addressed how they ap special education. Yet, we realizs students must become fully prof in using these technologies if th to succeed in school and adult li the Information Age. As special tors, we must not only use these to develop and deliver instructio also must begin to teach student to use them to enhance their cu learning outcomes and future ca options. And, we all know TEC perfect forum for sharing new id help exceptional students develo century skills. References Lightspeed Systems. (2009, April). N online survey of district technology di Web 2.0 technologies. Bakersfield, Ci Author. Retrieved from http://www. lightspeedsystems.com/researchsurv default.aspx Project Tomorrow. (2010, March). Cr cour future: Students speak up about vision for 2ist century learning. Irvin CCA: Author. Retrieved from http:// www.tomorrow.org/speakup/pats/ 'SU09NationalFindingsStudentséPare