+ Technology provides an access portal to learning for a
variety of students with learning disabilities. Students with
ADHD are no different in their access needs, but have the
added concern of distractibility. Technology can help or
hinder these students. This presentation will outline ways
that technology can accommodate ADHD students as well
as how to troubleshoot the novelty factor and the steps
needed to overcome it. Annalee is a Special Education
teacher in Alternative Programs at the Peel District School
Board, with a valued expertise with troubled teens and
learning disabilities.
+
+
GOALS FOR SESSION:
Item 1
• Introduction
Item 2
• ADHD and Executive Functioning
Item 3
• Pairing Strategies and Technology
Item 4
• Choosing the Right Technology
Item 5
• Conclusion and Questions
+ Attention-
Deficit/Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD)


is a neurobiological disorder
interferes with an individual's capacity
to :
- regulate activity level (hyperactivity)
- inhibit behavior (impulsivity)
- attend to the task at hand (inattention)1
+
AD/HD and Complicating Factors
+ Executive Functions…Where it all
falls apart.
 Executive
functions - skills that are crucial to
school performance, behavioral control, and
social interactions.
 Technology
can support weaknesses in executive
functioning – this is the HELPING TOOL side
 the
novelty of the technology leads to THE …
+
…HIGHWAY TO DISTRACTIO
+ What are the 4 Executive
Functions?
 For
the purpose of this presentation, executive
functions are considered to include the following:
 Problem
 Define
Solving (Tasks/Activities/Situations)
the problem
 Set a goal
 Propose strategies
 Prioritize, organize, sequence the
steps/skills/materials
 Estimate and allocate time needed
+  Flexibility
(Cognitions/Behaviors/Emotions)
 Adapt/change
or shift responses, behavior,
and emotional reactions when faced with
new, unfamiliar, or unexpected situations
 Initiation/Execution
(Tasks/Activities)
 Begin
and carry out a task or activity
without prompts
 Self-Monitoring/Use
of feedback/Self
Correction
 Identify
and evaluate one’s own
performance and behavior before, during,
after a situation
+
Technology = Compensatory Tool
 Our
goal is to integrate the mediums and tools
already used by students in innovative ways –
with ADHD that innovation goal, is
accommodating the weakness in executive
functions
 Key
to a successful integration is an effective
introduction – we want to change the way
students see technology, therefore changing
how they use it
 How
to introduce technology in learning
environments?
+
How do we strategize against the
novelty factor… BE PREPARED!
 Recognize
and accept that novelty is inevitable –
accept it before it discourages you
 Novelty
works to our advantage – kids learn when
they are excited, engaged and at PLAY– what
could be more fun than a new laptop or IPOD?
 Framing
the technology in learning
terms…introduce the learning strategy first, then
build on how to integrate the technology to
improve the strategy
+
Teaching a Technology Strategy –
a work in PROCESS
DESCRIBE the strategy and CONNECT the strategy to
the technology.
MODEL how to use the strategy with the technology –
use a data projector, with a walkthrough on screen
STRATEGY CUE CARD – visual guide of step-by-step
instructions (with screen shots to connect the steps
with the strategy process) in multiple formats
GUIDED PRACTICE - teacher led
+
TECH BOOK – have students keep manual,
instructions for the technology and strategy
cue cards in a central location
(electronically or hard copy)
CHECKLIST – (part of tech book) explicit
direction in what success will look like,
teacher “look for”
INDEPENDENT PRACTICE – make practice
meaningful by having an outcome
expectation
EVALUATE the skills students demonstrate in
using BOTH the strategy and the
technology
REVIEW the strategy before introducing a new
strategy or technology
+
AVOID TECHNOLOGY OVERLOAD!!
+
Connect the Strategy to the
Technology
When deciding what technology will fit with what
strategy there are some key considerations:
1.
Start with the strategy – technology can fail, the
strategy is what will continue to support the
student.
2.
Keep it simple – low tech solutions are
sometimes easier to use, cost effective, readily
available and provide a stepping stone to justify
more expensive/sophisticated hardware.
3.
Remember your audience.
CHOOSING TECHNOLOGY FOR
STRATEGIES P.L.A.N
APPLY
LIST AND
ANALYZE
available
PROPOSE technology
GOALS for resources
the strategy
P.
L.
TECHNOLOGY
best suited to
strategy
A.
NOTICE
ERRORS
AND EDIT
if needed
N
+
Necessity, the mother of invention.
George Farquhar
The Daydreamer – off task, managing time
Strategy: daily and monthly calendars
-
improving awareness of amount of time
spent/needed for tasks (realistic estimation
of time)
-
Improving awareness of the passage of time
Technology: Smartphone or IPOD touch
+
I’m Bored/tired/too
excited/confused etc… to work
STRATEGY:
-
-
provide learning activities that will
interest/motivate (the technology can be the
motivator)
ensure student understanding
Increase student capacity for handling
length/difficulty with task
TECHNOLOGY: computer with Dragon
Naturally Speaking or IPOD/SMART PHONE
(with Dragon APP)
+
I hate details, spatial visual
struggles or information
processing
 Strategy:
- The misinformation letter
-
Help student predict performance
requirements before beginning
-
Provide the exact number of required
responses needed
- TECH BOOK ENTRY
+
TECH BOOK ENTRY
Self – Questioning Questions to
Monitor Task Requirements
1.
What did the teacher ask me to do?
2.
Do I know how to do it?
3.
What do the directions mean?
4.
Does this make sense to me?
5.
Which strategy should I use?
6.
Do I understand? / Not understand? What do I do?
7.
Have I finished what I was supposed to do?
+
Technology:
Computer with Premier or
Kurzweil

These questions can be read aloud to the student – this helps
focus the student on the task (students listen to the list,
before, during and after the task)

Students have a visual/auditory guide to follow.

Read aloud software focuses the attention of the student with
ADHD in multi-sensory ways (visual, auditory, tactile) this
increases attention and retention
+
Other Technology Strategies
Thrill-Seeker
 Strategy:
-
Multi-media presentation
-
Technology:
-
Digital camera, movie editing software
+ Undependable Memory / Shutdown
STRATEGY:
- Mnemonic Device
TECHNOLOGY:
-
MP3 player (and a personal willingness to
make a fool out of yourself – I have no
problem doing this)
-
Audio books
-
PODCASTING
-
YOUTUBE
+
TECHNOLOGY … I have used
successfully in the classroom

VPOD

NINTENDO DS

IPOD/ SMARTPHONE with voice recorder, DRAGON and
DOCUMENTS TO GO App

Digital voice recorder

Talking calculator (PREMIER AND KURZWEILL have this)

IRIS pen scanner

eBOOK reader

Digital camera / or IPOD/PHONE with camera
+
How do you and your
learners use
technology?
+

Please feel free to contact me for further information or for a
copy of this presentation, the resources I mentioned, or for
ideas.
 annalee.clarida@peelsb.com
 akclarida@yahoo.com
 http://twitter.com/annalee_clarida
Thank
you so much for your time!
Have a safe trip home and enjoy the
rest of your afternoon!