Saturday, Jun 28, 2008

SPP 023: Education and Technology, A Guide for the Perplexed

(254 downloads)

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Many educators have trouble getting comfortable with technology and internet resources. In this episode, problems and solutions with using the tools of the 21st century are explored. Exciting resources for education are highlighted, as well as resources for finding out more. Are you uncomfortable with children knowing more than you do (about computers and the internet), with traditions and time-honored methods being pushed aside to make room for smartboards, clickers, videoconferencing and blogging? See how you feel after listening to this podcast.

Posted by Dr. Gaston Weisz at 4:11 PM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Saturday, Jun 21, 2008

SPP 022 Communication Disorders

(283 downloads)

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In this podcast I talk about about communication disorders:

1. Speech and Language Impairment
2. Hearing Impairment
3. Deaf
4. Deaf and Blind

Causes, interventions and related topics for the communication disorders are discussed.

Posted by Dr. Gaston Weisz at 3:06 PM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Saturday, Jun 14, 2008

SPP 021 Private Schools Vs. Public Schools - Do You Get What You Pay For?

(286 downloads)

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In this podcast, I explore the supposedly surprising finding about public schools being as good or better than private schools. In a large scale study financed by the government, students were found to perform better in math on standardized tests in public schools versus private schools. Social and economic factors were controlled for in this evaluation. If children do better because of their social or economic group membership, then the difference between the schools being investigated is confounded.

Posted by Dr. Gaston Weisz at 3:11 PM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Monday, Jun 09, 2008

SPP 020 Barriers Challenging People with Disabilities: Are They All in Our Heads?

(283 downloads)

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What are the barriers to people with disabilities?

Some are physical (mobility access in bathrooms, telephones that are inaccessible to people with hearing impairments) and some are "in our heads". That is, beliefs, misinterpretations and ineffective responses can hinder people with disabilities. In this podcast, a number of these obstacles are discussed. Sometimes due to fear or disbelief in disabilities that are not visible people will resist getting help for a child who would benefit from it. Additional misconceptions include expecting too little, unrealistically expecting too much, or "treating a person with a disability the same as a non-disabled person" either out of a belief that it is fair or that it will make the person behave as if they do not have their disability. Also, treating everyone with a disability as if they are the same is another misconceived approach. Unsupported claims and hype are attractive to people who are looking for miraculous answers, "natural remedies" or are just not able to distinguish what is evidence-based and what is not.

Posted by Dr. Gaston Weisz at 10:06 PM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Monday, Jun 09, 2008

SPP 019 ADHD: Facts, fallacies and should we just say no to medication or not?

(377 downloads)

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In this episode, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and the Special Education Classification of Other Health Impairment (OHI) are discussed. Based on research, medication is one of the most effective methods of managing ADHD symptoms. While many people are reluctant to consider medication, there are many “side effects” to under-treatment of this disorder. Behavioral and educational approaches are also discussed in this podcast. Research, facts and fallacies as well as controversies are reviewed.

For more information visit Dr. Weisz’ website http://weiszdoc.com which links to his discussion board, psychology wiki, and school psychology blog http://drweisz.blogspot.com. You can download this podcast on from itunes.

Posted by Dr. Gaston Weisz at 9:07 PM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Monday, Jun 09, 2008

SPP 018 Learning Disabilities: What Teachers Need to Know so They Don't Feel Teaching Disabled

(372 downloads)

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This week’s episode of the School Psychology Podcast with Dr. Gaston Weisz focuses on Learning Disabilities. This neurological processing disorder forces us to understand better how our brains work or don’t work effectively. This is one of the 13 special education disability categories. The special education laws that protect students with disabilities are reviewed along with controversies about how the LD category is operationalized in school systems.

Finally, examples of effective teaching methods are clarified so that while a student may in fact have a Learning Disability, this episode helps give teachers insight and skills so they aren’t forced to feel like they're teaching disabled.

Posted by Dr. Gaston Weisz at 10:34 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Saturday, Jun 07, 2008

SPP 017 Back to School for Parents Part Two

(455 downloads)

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How do we get the most out of home school collaboration? Once again, in this podcast, using audio from Kimberli Breen’s presentation at the NYS Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports Conference 2008 in Syracuse, this podcast features guidelines for positively engaging parents.

Posted by Dr. Gaston Weisz at 10:27 PM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Thursday, Jun 05, 2008

SPP 016 Back to School for Parents: The Importance of Home School Collaboration

(404 downloads)

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This episode focuses on Kimberli Breen's presentation about home school collaboration at the NYS PBIS Coach's Forum in Syracuse NY.

Posted by Dr. Gaston Weisz at 10:24 PM |  MAKE A COMMENT