Carolyn Jenkins
PhD., University of New Orleans
Special Education
Areas of Specialization: science, special education
Carolyn has prior technology grant experience. "I actually had quite a bit of experience with another grant at the University of New Orleans. And at that time [early 1990s], I think it was quite visionary, advanced really for the kind of technology that was available. We were developing science lessons for students with special needs, and we were trying to set it up so teachers could download the science lessons. And most of the time, we'd go into the schools and there was only one phone line, so we had so many challenges just because the technology wasn't advanced. And so because of that, I got a pretty good start with technology."
- The PT3 Grant offers challenges to Carolyn's own learning. "It's pretty exciting to learn new things. A lot of times, it's just keeping up with the students. I think it opens up new questions. And then you have more questions, and then it leads to more in-depth study. It brings up learning for the students that wouldn't be there."
- Carolyn incorporates new technologies into her personal and professional life. "I would say that definitely I've done PowerPoint presentations. I've made better use of the Internet. I've had students create lessons and task cards for UEN.org. Every semester I offer a workshop on SURWEB. I also use video microscopes, light boxes, probes, field microscopes, some software like Inspiration.
- Carolyn's undergraduate students do case studies on children with disabilities. Using video clips during their presentations gave a dimension to the children that never would have been there with a written report or even with photographs. "You could see that there was so much more to the student than the disability. You could see so much more of the students, their interests and strengths."
- As to the future of technology: "I'm always hoping that people will always evaluate technology and look at it with a critical eye. The ramifications of some of the technology might not be a great thing."
