By
James Cahill
The
use of adaptive technology has opened doors for students with special needs in
ways that were probably unimaginable a mere ten or twenty years ago. These
tools are used in classrooms every day to help children learn and even to
communicate. But in Minnesota, the use of these technologies goes beyond the
classroom and into the theater. At Blaine High School, students with special
needs perform each year in a play designed specifically around their needs and
abilities. These students were not permitted to be part of the school’s
‘regular’ production, so special education teachers Beau Dickey and Carrie
Holly started their own. Fast forward almost a decade later and, with the aid
of their adaptive technologies, special needs students perform each year for a
packed house.
This
was an eye-opening article to read. I am currently in the middle of my own
musical production involving 6th, 7th, and 8th
graders and it dawned on me that we don’t have any special needs students
participating. Certainly, I would never turn any student away, as it sounds was
done initially in Minnesota. It makes me wonder if any students in my district
were interested at all. It’s rare to hear of this kind of production happening
– one entirely designed for special needs learners. But it does beg the
question: Does it do the students good to be excluded from the ‘regular’
production? Shouldn't they be allowed to participate in the same show as
everyone else? There may be something to argue there, but I feel that the
positives of participating in their own show outweigh the negatives. At least
the teachers are getting them involved in some capacity! I'd love to see this
excellent program occur in more places. And what a great use of the technology
that is already available. If you have it, use it!
To
read the original article that inspired this post, follow the link below:
The harsh reality is that everything is now considered "competitive" in high school, be it sports or plays. While it may do the special needs students good to be involved in a regular production, what effect will have on the other students? I recall my own sports experience: in 7th and 8th grade, everyone got a chance to play, but in high school, you had to earn your spot on the field.
ReplyDeleteDon, I understand where you are coming from when you say in 7th and 8th grade everyone got to play but in high school you had to earn your spot on the field. I think there is a place for everyone. I also want to clarify that I am not one of those that believe everyone is a winner and needs a trophy. But I do believe everyone deserves a chance.
DeleteYour question, "what effect will have on other students?" well in my own experience it was tough but the students really bonded and had to be on their toes for the unexpected. In life you have to always be on your toes because you never know what will be coming at you. I think it was a great experience for them. Again this was my own experience so I cannot speak for everyone.
I think it is great that the special needs students got a chance to do an entire production. There is no mention of the types of disabilities these students have. While some may be mild and should not prohibit participation in the mainstream production, the reality is that production of a show is extremely intense on the high school level. Having had a son participate in a high school production of Sweeney Todd as a major character, and having been involved myself in feeding everyone (cast, crew, orchestra) during tech week, I know in great detail what everyone went through, from teachers to parents. The hours involved (especially during tech week) were very demanding, not to mention the acting, blocking, memorization and musical demands. For some disabilities, it might have been completely impossible to participate in an ordinary production. I certainly do not condone excluding students merely because they have a disability (in fact, our production included an autistic boy on lighting), but there is a certain reality to what is and isn't possible in an ordinary setting. For someone to be creative enough to create an experience with adaptations that did make it possible is amazing.
DeleteThis is absolutely amazing! I love hearing about teachers who have such a strong love for their professions that they will do whatever it takes to help their students feel like everyone else. The availability and complexity of the technology around us can change lives, exactly the way the teachers used it for in the article.
DeleteI think students with disabilities can sometimes not even try out for plays or other teams/clubs because they feel different and not included (students at this school must have definitely felt this way). If other schools started incorporating these technologies in their schools, we may be able to help students with disabilities increase their self esteem and not feel like outcasts.
Other schools should read this article and take note, because this is great! Wonderful use of technology
WOW, First of all I cannot believe that they were not able to participate with the "regular" production. I am happy to hear that they were able to figure something out with the use of technology to get them to have their own show.
ReplyDeleteI know at our school we welcome everyone to participate in the show. I also help out with the middle school drama productions and sometimes we are able to have extra help from the older high school students for the special needs students.
How exciting that you are doing your own production this year! Let me know when it is, What show are you doing?
Just saw this - my production is this weekend! We're doing a musical revue - Friday at 7 and Sunday at 2 at CJ Hooker Middle School in Goshen.
DeleteI totally hate the idea of been singled out because I have had the experience and it is not a good feeling. I just did not like that the special needs children had to create their own production but at the same time it is a testament to the others that you can do anything you set your mind to. It might be difficult, the challenges might be many...but I will get there. Bonnie, I understand that the level of intensity is far greater at the high school level but what about modifying a part for a special needs students? Would that have taken away from the whole meaning of the show?
ReplyDeleteSometimes, yes. There are opportunities to participate in "chorus" scenes, as a crew member, as an assistant stage manager, etc. But as a main character, it also wouldn't be fair to those kids who try out for parts, are amazingly talented (and many of whom go on to attend music and theater colleges), and take it seriously. At MHS, I think special needs kids are treated pretty well, and people try to include them as much as possible; but in a production of the level of professionalism we are talking about here, there are limitations.
DeleteI think that the students were excluded is horrible. Everyone deserves the chance to be apart of it. Bonnie, I agree that there is a huge amount of pressure and many hours involved in a production. To have a show that is only special education students just shows what they can do with the right tools and motivation. I wonder if in many schools special education students simply shy away from being in the production even if they want to participate. I feel that they should be encouraged to join in and modify a part for them if need be.
ReplyDeleteThis topic started me thinking about a band, Flame, that performed for our school back in December. It is a group composed of talented musicians from upstate NY that cover a number of songs from varying artists. The part that makes this group so special is that they are a talented musicians who "happen to have disabilities."
ReplyDeleteBefore the performance we discussed the band with our students to ensure a respectable audience, and the students were fabulous! I was pleasantly surprised by the reaction, especially when the entire room was on their feet dancing to "SHOUT".