Japanese researcher visits SMF School District

Tetsuya Munekata, chief researcher in technology from the National Institute of Special Needs Education in Japan, visited our district Dec. 20. He observed elementary and high school special needs classrooms that utilize a computer program called News-2-You.

Mr. Munekata is conducting a research project aiming to establish a new delivery website in Japanese. He likes the News-2-You used in the United States. He came to Stow to learn how teachers use the program and how students have been able to better their reading skills. News-2-You is an Ohio-based company.

His visit began in Joshua's Cafe with his host teacher, Speech-Language Pathologist Sherry Vitone. He also met with Principal Rick Bailey, Japanese teacher Janelle Wargo and Director of Special Education Bobbi John. He visited the speech-language pathologist at Indian Trail and three special education classrooms at SMFHS.

Each specialist presented News-2-You in a different way which opened discussions on varied approaches to using News-2-You and possible applications for different students with special needs. He shared a software application from the U.K. that has similarities to News-2-You. "It was a very informative exchange of information," said Vitone. "I hope that he obtained the information that he needed for his research."

At Indian Trail, Speech-Language Pathologist Jen Visker had lessons with the preschool students. She printed out the news stories and the students "read" the lessons with symbols and answered questions about what they had read.

Back at the high school, Intervention Specialist Sandy Kehn presented News-2-You on her Promethean Board to the entire class. She then used Google Earth to link it to geography. In addition, her class greeted Tetsuya in the traditional Japanese manner with each student bowing and saying "Konichiwa."

Intervention Specialist Peggy Peters and her class used print-outs of their lessons as she presented. After a discussion, her class used on of the cooking links from that particular News-2-You article and did a hand-over-hand cooking lesson which taught functional daily living skills.

"It was such a collaborative effort," said Vitone. "Our Japanese teacher Janelle Wargo advised me on Japanese manners and culture which guided me. I also spent time reading about cultural differences so that he would feel at home.
Rick Bailey also provided good advice as well as gifts to present to Tetsuya. Our Chef G and Chef Rob at Joshua's created a delicious breakfast.

"Having Bobbi John come and meet him added importance to his visit, which he appreciated.
Finally, our specialists and students who presented to Tetsuya were truly the stars of the day. Everyone was welcoming and gracious."