Today's highly charged multi-media world of sensory experiences has crept into the classrooms. All the high-tech gadgets and tools are definitely a bonus to augmenting the teaching and learning experience for children. There are now opportunities for students to participate in multi-dimensional learning experiences with computers, handheld devices, interactive audio-visual programs and self-directed learning games.
With the advent and implementation of these tools, teachers are often challenged with managing a classroom environment filled with new sights and sounds. This is a unique challenge for the student population who struggles with learning disabilities. The data from studies and research continue to indicate that a student with these challenges is particularly susceptible to distraction from external visual and auditory input.
In order to minimize these distractions and maximize the student's ability to learn, the experts are promoting the use of study carrels, particularly for the reduction of visual distractions. William N. Bender, a well-known author on differentiating instruction for students with learning disabilities, states, "Study carrels are essential in classes that include students with learning disabilities because these students may be easily distracted by movement in the class." To assist teachers and learners with this challenge, ClassroomProducts.com offers flexible, portable and inexpensive Study Carrels for individual desks.
Unlike most study carrels, the product line at ClassroomProducts.com is designed for maximum individuality to address the learning challenges of those students working to overcome disabilities. They can be set up to create the "private office" Bender suggests as the appropriate work environment. Bender states, "One important fact to remember is that if a student with a learning disability needs a place to work that is free of visual distraction, one must be provided to assist the student to remain task oriented."
Educators in special needs classrooms , and those who have students with unique challenges now have a very affordable product to offer their learners. As the experts have stated, study carrels are a must in the learning environment for student with disabilities. In order to reduce auditory and visual distractions and facilitate a child's opportunities to reach their full potential, study carrels should be a tool all teachers use.
