SEEC 5050: ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
SESSION ONE
BIG IDEAS: The student will understand:


the legal context of assistive technology services in schools and that the student
needs are the center of assistive technology decision-making on devices and
services.
some of the resources that are available to them in Georgia and on the web.
ATSTAR – LESSON ONE
The purpose of this lesson is to provide legal and practical foundations for understanding
Assistive Technology.
Supplementary Required Reading: (PLACE A COPY OF EACH DIRECTLY INTO
WEBCT)
GPAT Introduction to Assistive Technology – Overview of assistive technology devices
that are related to various academic and functional areas in which a student might be
experiencing difficulties
A Brief Introduction to the SETT Framework – A brief overview of a student-centered
framework that can be used to guide thinking about assistive technology
TASKS:
Assignment 1: ATSTAR Extension
Go to the following website and find the answers to the questions below. Write your
answers and submit them by email.
http://www.ideapractices.org/law/index.php What are the legal definitions of Assistive
Technology devices and services?
What does the “P” in IEP stand for?
What is the purpose of the IDEA?
What does the term FAPE mean?
Assignment 2: Complementary Web-based Resources
Visit the QIAT website. QIAT: Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology. Select the
Listserv area of the site and join the QIAT Listserv. Spend some time looking in on the
discussion that is taking place.
From the Listserv page on the QIAT site, follow the link to the searchable archives that
contain all messages that have ever been sent over the QIAT list. Type in the words
“instructional technology” as the search term. Read the messages to determine what has
been said about the similarities and differences between assistive technology and
instructional technology.
Write a brief summary of your understanding of the similarities and differences between
assistive technology and instructional technology.
Assignment 3: GPAT
One of the most helpful assistive technology resources available to schools in Georgia is
the Georgia Project for Assistive Technology (GPAT). Familiarize yourself with GPAT
by visiting the GPAT website at www.gpat.org and completing the following activities.

View and be able to explain Georgia Project for Assistive Technology’s
Mission and Services.

Of the services provided by GPAT, which could benefit you as an educator
based on your position? How?

How would you go about obtaining the services of GPAT?

If you were able to choose one of the current training workshops to attend,
which one would you choose and why?
Assignment 4: Cumulative Application Case Study
Think about students you are working with and the tasks that they currently find difficult
or impossible to do. Think of one particular student that you would like to use as the
focus of a case study that you will build throughout the course.
Review the Introduction to Assistive Technology paper. Select the educational or
functional areas in the Resource Guide that you would believe relate to the needs of your
student. Which of the tools and strategies listed in that area do you think you may want
to incorporate into the educational activities of this student? Why would you include
these?
DISCUSSION:
Is in important that the student ALWAYS be the starting-place and center of assistive
technology processes and decision-making? Why or why not?
PERSONAL REFLECTION:
What was your level of comfort with the different tools that you needed to use to do the
tasks that were required of you in this session? How did your level of comfort with the
tools affect your ability to do the expected tasks? How did you feel about as you were
using the tools to do the tasks?