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Share Fair gives Special Education students opportunity to share class work

(December 11, 2007) Department of Special Education students were given an opportunity to attend Share Fair on Friday, December 7. Rows of tables lined the hallways of the fifth floor of DeGarmo Hall, where class projects and information were displayed for the "show 'n tell" event. Nearly every Special Education class was represented by a couple of students.

This was the fourth year for Share Fair, the department sponsored event. Interim Chair Jeff Bakken said, "It gives an opportunity for some of our best students to present their work in the classes and share that with students who will be taking the classes in the future. The biggest benefit is that the event allows booth visitors to learn about what the class entails, discuss the projects, and talk directly with current students in that class and ask questions." Department-affiliated registered student organizations were also available to share their purpose, information about activities, and volunteer opportunities.

Sarah, a junior, shared her comprehensive educational assessment report that she wrote for her SED 203 class. During her semester-long project, she worked directly with a student in Clinton High School. She was able to review his individualized education program (IEP), observe him in class, and give him an assessment to see how well he was able to read and comprehend. Her paper combined all these aspects and set goals for his future. It was her first hands-on experience and she shared that she's excited to move into her practicum next semester. Sarah said, "It was exciting! I got to work with the teacher and student. I learned a lot of things that I'll apply to my career."

Another student, who displayed her work, shared that most of the students visiting her booth were taking the class she represented next semester, as well as a few freshmen. She had been asked about what professors to take and specific questions about the details of the project.

Stevie, a junior, visited the booths during this semester's Share Fair. She said the most interesting thing she had experienced was talking with someone in the field-based booth who had worked in an all-boys behavior disorder class. By asking questions, she was able to learn what was productive in dealing with the boys-only class because she is really interested in working with that demographic.

Patrick, also a junior, attended Share Fair to check out booths, learn about classes, and see final projects. He was most excited to see the communication boards at the SED 377 table and see the display in the behavior disorder booth. The student teacher had used Tony Hawk and other popular culture icons in her project. She really related the students' interest to the classroom. He said, "I'm going to be in that class next semester. That was a really cool example!"

Students representing each class during Share Fair are nominated by faculty to display at the Share Fair. Those presenting their work this semester include: