The lives of twenty-first century kids are increasingly defined by their use of technology. If you are a teacher, school administrator, school psychologist, social worker, or nurse who works in a school setting, you know that children’s captivation with technology is inescapable. Today, technology is often the best avenue for engagement and learning for kids who struggle in school. Students with attention, learning, social/emotional, and executive-functioning difficulties can benefit the most from the thoughtful use of technology. Those who work with such children need to understand the social media, video games, apps, and technology used by twenty-first century kids. You do not need to be an expert gamer yourself, nor do you need to be a whiz with your smartphone. But if you want to connect with twenty-first century kids in their world, you have to know enough to ask thoughtful questions, recognize when limit setting is needed, and understand how to use technology for learning, communication, and collaborating.
LearningWorks for Kids is the best place for educators to learn how to choose and use the best technologies for kids with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Learning Disabilities, and other social/emotional difficulties. Read through our blog posts, check out our information about executive functions, and, better yet, subscribe to our premium Educator pages for individualized recommendations for your students; hundreds of technology-based classroom activities; and access to videos, games, and apps to address the needs of complex alternative learners.
