I am excited to introduce this week’s guest blogger, Abby from Mrs. Moe’s Modifications to share all about using visuals in a special education classroom.
Using visuals in the special education classroom are essential for all learners. They have so many benefits and can decrease problem behaviors while supporting learning. Keep reading to learn the top 5 ways to use visuals in the Special Education Classroom.
In this blog post, we will explore the numerous benefits of using visuals in a special education classroom. Visuals can greatly enhance learning, decrease problem behaviors, and improve overall classroom management. Let’s delve into the top 5 ways to effectively utilize visuals in the special education setting.
You know that when you give a direction in a special education classroom, you are more than likely going to have to repeat that direction several times. Why is that? Because as soon as you say the words, they are gone. Students cannot just simply replay your words.
This means, if they were not listening or did not understand what you said- they will not know how to follow the directions given.
Once you give a direction, you can simply hold up the direction you gave to then remind students what was said. Therefore, students with attention difficulties can refer to it as well as students who have auditory processing disorders.
Using visuals with your directions will keep you from having to repeat yourself time after time.
In a special education classroom, students may struggle with listening comprehension and attention difficulties. When verbal directions are given, they can easily be forgotten or misunderstood. By supplementing verbal instructions with visual cues, such as written directions or images, students can refer back to them as needed. Visuals serve as a constant reminder of the instructions, ensuring that students understand and follow them without the need for repeated explanations.
The noise level can get rather loud when you have a classroom of students who need to make some noise, but then also additional adults to support students-
This in turn can cause behaviors, as well as cause students to struggle to learn.
When a direction is given, paraprofessionals can remind students of it by referring to their own visuals. (I personally make sure every adult in the classroom has the visual cues on their lanyard for easy access). Once a direction is given, a reminder can be shown to students who do not follow the direction or seem to be confused.
This dramatically decreases the noise volume and the consistency helps students understand what is being asked of them.
In a classroom with students who require some level of noise and additional support staff, the noise level can become overwhelming and impede learning. Visual cues can help address this challenge by providing a non-verbal method of reminding students about directions. Each adult in the classroom, including paraprofessionals, can carry visual cues on their lanyards for quick and easy access. When students fail to follow a direction or seem confused, a visual reminder can be shown, leading to a decrease in noise volume and greater consistency in student understanding.
Have you ever been to a day of professional development and have no idea what time lunch was? I have, and let me tell you- I was frustrated. I was hungry and all I could think about was when lunch was. However, if the speaker had told me what to expect, I would have been much more able to focus and learn.
The same things happen for our students. Always, always have a schedule for them- no matter the age. Students, just like us, need to know what their day will look like.
Even when students start to learn the routine of the day, it is important to continuously refer to the visual schedule (whether it is for the entire class or an individual one) so when there is a change, students are okay with it because they have grown to rely on their schedule instead of the routine. Learn more about visual schedules here.
Similar to how adults appreciate knowing what to expect throughout the day, students benefit from having a visual schedule. Having a schedule, whether for the entire class or individually, allows students to anticipate and prepare for upcoming activities. Even as students become familiar with the daily routine, regularly referring to the visual schedule ensures they are comfortable with any changes and can rely on the schedule to navigate their day effectively.
Do you have that one student who is just always talking out? Maybe they struggle to keep their hands to themselves?
It can be so frustrating to constantly be reminding students of their specific behavior expectations.
When this happens, make an individualized behavior visual with reminders of expected behavior.
Then, when the student starts to engage in those behaviors- simply point to the visual. This again, cuts down on the volume, is easier for students to understand, and saves you from becoming frustrated from repeating yourself time and time again.
In special education classrooms, there may be students who struggle with maintaining appropriate behavior, constantly requiring reminders. Creating individualized behavior visuals that outline expected behavior can be a highly effective strategy. By pointing to the visual when the student engages in undesirable behavior, teachers can redirect their attention without the need for repeated verbal reminders. This approach reduces frustration, improves student understanding, and facilitates consistent behavioral expectations.
Some students struggle with understanding oral language. As students become upset, their ability to comprehend language can decrease even further. This is another crucial reason visuals are so important. It takes language, which is fleeting and ambiguous, and makes it concrete.
When giving directions or required materials, students may miss what is said or not understand. This can be easily fixed by printing out images of the visuals you use in your classroom and putting them on the board as you give out directions. You can get your set of images here.
For students who have difficulty understanding oral language, visuals play a critical role in making abstract concepts more tangible and comprehensible. By providing visual representations alongside verbal instructions or required materials, students can better grasp the information being communicated. Teachers can print out images of visuals used in the classroom and display them on the board while giving directions, ensuring that students do not miss vital information. Visuals also prove beneficial in explaining abstract concepts like appropriate behavior, where a simple picture can illustrate what is expected more effectively than words alone.
Incorporating visuals in the special education classroom offers numerous benefits for learners. From aiding comprehension and memory retention to reducing problem behaviors and increasing overall engagement, visuals provide essential support for students with various learning needs. By implementing the five strategies outlined above – using visuals for directions, noise level management, schedules, behavior reminders, and making concepts concrete – educators can create an inclusive and supportive learning environment that maximizes the potential of all learners.
What are you looking for?
COPYRIGHT © 2024 Full SPED Ahead
