Assistive
Technology Tool Box for Students with Special Considerations
While
technology may have it’s down falls, for example; privacy rights issues and
concerns of it creating a generation of face to face socially inept and
disconnected citizens there are indeed some benefits to it. Technological apps
can bridge gaps for those who come to the education table with IEP’s,
disabilities, special considerations and learning difficulties.
Reading
and acquiring the use of language properly as a means to effectively
communicate with peers and adults can be a struggle for many children. This can
not only affect their interpersonal relationships down the line but as well it
affects their academics. With schools seeing a large increase in students who
have been identified as needing extra assistance; technology apps have opened
an alternative door for these students to explore. According the Kelly Ahrens,
a technology director for the East Providence School District, “You can instill
independence and confidence in students with special needs by finding tools and
working with your IT department.”
With
that said, it will and can be a challenge to install these tools as it requires
a cohesive effective partnership between teacher and the districts IT team.
Every school year a new set of children and each one is unique and one app may
not benefit one student but may benefit the other. In order to insure
expediency it is important to quickly identify the needs of the students within
the first few weeks of class and immediately work with the IT team. My suggestion
would be form a very good relationship with these IT people. A little coffee
drop off early in the morning on the way to school as a Thank You may be a
great way to aid your students and the bonus is the team feels appreciated.
The
piece Kelly Ahrens wrote goes over
technology details that gives teachers useful information and insight into the
process of app adding etc from the perspective of the IT team side. While I
found that to be helpful, I did not find it to be the best part of the article.
The
most informative section covered accessibility opens to tools such as
magnifying tech for those who need visual assistance. Narrator and voice over
systems that allow books to be read as well as words highlighted as to assist
in word recognition and pronunciation. Voice recognition systems that allow
students who have writing difficulty get their thoughts out. I have personally
seen the voice recognition aspect do wonders. I taught a Special Day class for
many weeks and I recall one boy whom really was able to communicate himself
utilizing this program. I first hand saw the confidence building as he smiled
when he recorded his story and then had the voice over system read the story he
created to his classmates. They loved the story and he was so very proud. His
eyes could have lit up even the darkest of rooms at that moment.
The
big take away from this article I would say would be the following points;
-Know
you students and asses their needs immediately and frequently.
-Search
and seek out new tools and apps on a regular basis in order to serve your
students in the best manner.
-Understand
the perspective of the IT team and know that there can at times be some
challenges legally and other wise when it comes to adding new programs etc.
-Build
a good relationship with your IT team so that you can serve your students and
be able to add applications quickly without wasted time.
Technology
has it’s drawbacks and at times the movement of technology into schools can be
a slow process. But, it greatly increases the confidence and abilities in those
students who prior to technology had a much more difficult time progressing
academically, socially and emotionally. Be proactive, be innovative, know the
apps and know your students!
Please click on the below link. It depicts how Assistive Technology has made a positive impact for one amazing student. It is her personal expression on how it has opened up her world. It was submitted to The White House Student Film Festival. http://youtu.be/WELoJutEYHo
References:
Ahrens, K. (2011, November). Building and Assitive Technology Tool Kit. Learning and Leading with Technology, 22-24.
Hi Alison,
ReplyDeleteGreat overall response to the article. Your real life example and the Youtube video provided gave me positive thoughts on assistive technology. It is very inspiring to see how technology can help a student succeed and how it empowers children to take control of their learning.
My only concern about your comments is how would we assess students and how would schools receive adequate funding? For higher income districts? For lower-income districts?
Hey Alison,
ReplyDeleteI very much agreed with your overall assessment of the article you read. I also believe that educators can make a huge difference in their students if they were to really put themselves out there to ensure that students can receive the best possible education by any means. In this instance it would be a great idea to get to know your school's IT department and efficiently identify those students who have special needs.
Daniellemaye brought up excellent points about the concerns many people may have about this assistive technology. I was also wondering about the funding required to make these technologies a reality in an average classroom. I understand there may be several grants that can be obtained, but my concern would be that some schools would not be able to access many of these tools.
Daniellemaye and Hector thank you for reading and commenting on my blog:) Funding for technology is always a concern no matter what kind of classroom or district. San Diego County itself has a huge pool of philanthropic organizations whom give schools money. National grants and Apple inc themselves give out such grants. While gathering the money can be a task many schools have done so. Title 1 schools as well get extra monies from the state. They is money out there it just takes a lot of time and focus to acquire it. Perhaps not every Special Needs classroom will be able to provide this to their students. However, the technological classroom is the wave of the future and I am sure in time all classrooms will have access to this technology.
ReplyDeleteHello Alison!
ReplyDeleteI believe these tools will benefit the child in a variety of way as you mentioned. I agree that us as educators must find what works effective for the child in order to set them up for success. Educators need to understand that their are a variety of learning styles from visual, auditory, kinesthetic, etc and with technology it can help each child's need individually.
I am with you about the funding, there was time where schools had no computers and now schools have their own computer labs. It will take time to incorporate this technology in classrooms! However within time it is possible, even some low-income schools already have a set of tools such as iPads, computers set up already in the class!
Great blog!
Hi Alison!
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your blog. I had to read the same one, and I really enjoyed your input on what you had to say. Assistive Technology is so important and can only benefit students for today and the future. I think it's interesting that you brought up the IT and how it's going to be hard for the teachers to get used to learning this type of technology. What I feel will be the hardest part is that some teachers who are already trying to get used to this technological society our classrooms are becoming, it will be harder to now try and figure these tools out. I think within time Assistive Technology in the classroom will be easy to use and accessible for students and teachers all over. Thanks for your insight!
-Kimberly Gomez