Given the various disabilities in the typical special education classroom, it can often be difficult to plan activities to include all the students. Finding an activity that all the students can enjoy and participate in requires a lot of creativity. Many times, the simplest activities are the least expensive and most enjoyable. And they can sometimes be the most educational.
Activities such as computer games and other high tech learning devices can help students with cognitive skills and motor skills. But some of the same skill sets can be learned using simple water colors and a set of wooden blocks. When several students need to learn together, having students share these items is often much easier than entertaining them while they wait for their time on the computer.
Many of the high tech learning aids can only be used by one student at a time. When students are sharing the more low tech, common learning tools, they are gaining valuable social skills in addition to learning new concepts. Also, needing the color or size another student is using will teach them to adapt to challenging situations with creativity.
Having a variety of learning tools at your disposal can also help a substitute teacher when you have to be away from the classroom. A combination of computers, games, art and building supplies can provide entertainment as well as education. Relying too much on one single teaching method limits the students and also limits your potential as an educator. The more options you include in your classroom, the more new, unique ways you will develop to use the items.