Assistive Technology
for Math and Science
Classes
Lorinda Tait
Representing
Michigan’s Assistive Technology Resource
Lorinda Tait
Lorinda Tait
Objectives

Increase knowledge of assistive technology.
 Increase understanding of universal design.
 Learn about Michigan’s Assistive
Technology Resource.
 Increase awareness of tools for science and
math.
Lorinda Tait
Lorinda Tait
Michigan’s Assistive Technology Resource (MATR)
Services
1. We act as a resource to all school districts, ISDs, and private
schools throughout Michigan in order to build local team
capacity in assistive technology (AT).
2. Our website is: www.matr.org and lists all of our services and
forms.
3. Our services to schools are FREE and include:
1. AT consultations with student & IEP team members
2. equipment loan program for trials of AT to schools
3. a software loan library
4. Training - practicum, inservice workshops
5. Our print shop provides large print books to schools (feebased service).
Lorinda Tait
Lorinda Tait
Definition of Assistive Technology (AT)
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA) defines assistive technology devices as
“any piece of equipment, or product system,
whether acquired commercially off the shelf,
modified, or customized, that is used to increase,
maintain, or improve functional capabilities of
children with disabilities.”
Lorinda Tait
Lorinda Tait
A Framework for considering assistive technology
SETT
by Joy Zabala (1994)
STUDENT – What are the student’s special needs and abilities? Why
does the student need AT?
ENVIRONMENT – Where will the student use AT? What supports,
resources are available?
TASKS – What IEP goals will be addressed with AT? What activities
is the student expected to do?
TOOLS – What assistive technology (no/low tech, and high tech)
options should be considered to address the tasks? What
strategies might be used to increase student performance?
Lorinda Tait
Lorinda Tait
Universal Design For Learning

Teachers are designers. They design
activities, materials and curricula.
 Coupling between abilities and task
requirements
 Targets educational needs of all students
while addressing different learning styles.
 Technology increases the adaptability and
flexibility.
Lorinda Tait
Lorinda Tait
Physically and Cognitively
Accessible

Wheelchair accessibility, alternative keyboards,
screen readers.
 Perceptual accessibility - color blindness, hearing
loss or visual impairments.
 Cognitively impaired as well as different learning
styles and strengths.
 Multiple ways of engaging the material,
presenting the material and reporting results.
Lorinda Tait
Lorinda Tait
Universal Design

Utilize multiple modes of information presentation
- verbal, iconic, pictorial, tactile.
 Provide contrast between the information and its
surroundings. The expanded use of sound field
systems exemplifies this principle. Students
perform better academically. On any given day
students have temporary hearing problems due to
colds, flu, allergies and fatigue.
 Different representations such as concept maps
and then outline form appeal to different learning
styles.
Lorinda Tait
Lorinda Tait
Tasks for Math
1. Sorting shapes, analyzing patterns - geometry
2. Estimating,measurements, creating graphs –
probability
3. Computation – manipulation of numbers for math
operations
4. Fractions and Decimals – same as above
5. Writing equations with correct alignment- using math
symbols
6. Reading and analyzing word problems – step by step
logic
7. Using calculators – scientific, graphing (with speech)
8. Studying and taking tests
Lorinda Tait
List is not comprehensive, but examples
Lorinda Tait
Shapes, Graphs

Manipulatives - blocks, play money algebra tiles.
Manipulative math software- Unifix,
IntelliMathics, MathPadPlus
 Wickki Stix for raising lines on graph. Graphing
software - Graph Club (early elementary), Graph
Master (upper elementary), Excel, Claris (Apple)
Works for Kids, or any word processor with
graphing capabilities.
Lorinda Tait
Lorinda Tait
Computations, decimals,
writing equations, word
problems
•
Talking calculator, coinulator. Use math overlays
for Intellikeys.
 MathPad, MathPad Plus, Access to Math (Mac)
Math Edit, , MathType.
 Text readers (Kurzweil 3000, Scan & Read, Text
Assist, Text Help: Read and Write,Wordsmith)
Lorinda Tait
Lorinda Tait
More Math Tools
•
•
Accessible graphing calculator from
Oregon State Univ. - graphs equations and
provides a visual or auditory graph.
MetroPlex has MathPad By Voice for
elementary and MathTalk for high school
and professional math. MathBraille Talk
produces math in Braille or print.
Lorinda Tait
Lorinda Tait
Tasks for Science
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Performing experiments
Recording observations
Collecting & Recording data (measuring)
Analyzing Data - graphs
Writing Science/Lab Reports
Reading science textbooks, research
Using scientific calculators, converting units
Studying and Test taking
List is not comprehensive, but examples
Lorinda Tait
Lorinda Tait
Science Tools

Interactive science software: Zap and
Virtual Lab by Edmark for upper
elementary and Thinkin’ Science for grades
1 & 2, Sammy’s Science House for pre-K.
 Logger Pro by Vernier software - science
software that records data from separate
sensors and performs graph analysis - can
be connected to a graphing calculator.
Lorinda Tait
Lorinda Tait
Tools for Science

Overlay of a periodic table for writing
chemical equations.
 Reach Interface Author to customize a
periodic table for chemistry.
 Inspiration/Kidspiration to help students
organize reports, procedure charts for
science experiments and other smart charts.
Lorinda Tait
Lorinda Tait
Tools

Wordbar, and word predictors (Co:Writer,
Soothsayer, Word Q, Text Help: Read &
Write) can be used to help write science
assignments. Dictionaries within a word
predictor can be created to specify science
or math terms.
Lorinda Tait
Lorinda Tait
Tools

Digital microscopes (Intelplay from Mattel)
also from Edmund Scientific, Motic Play
(www.moticplay.com) and other science
oriented vendors. Viewing can be displayed
on to a computer or projected onto a screen.
 Voice Input can be used to help students
write science reports. (Dragon Naturally
Speaking version 7)
Lorinda Tait
Lorinda Tait
Assistive Technology is used to increase a student’s learning through
increased participation in activities. By employing a “hands on”
approach, the teacher creates an opportunity to engage the
student’s mind.
DO NOT ALWAYS MAKE THE STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY
THE EXPERIMENT, BUT LET THEM PARTICIPATE IN THE
EXPERIMENTS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. From M. Richardson
(1994) “Excusing a special needs student from a classroom
assignment is simply excusing yourself from finding a way for the
student to participate in the assignment.”*
Authoring software allows the teacher to customize lessons/
homework for the student. Clicker 4 and IntelliTalk II authoring
software with speech output for all levels of math and science - used
to create templates for science report, tests, study guides - both have
graphic capabilities.
*Richardson,
M.Tait
(1994). We all learned together. “Science Scope,”
17(6),
Lorinda
Lorinda
Taitpg.68-70.
Last but not Least
Lorinda Tait
Lorinda Tait