USING TECHNOLOGY IN SPECIAL
EDUCATION
Submitted by
Patricia Blackwell
Amjaad Mujallid
CONTENT
Introduction
 Timeline of Technology In Special Education
 Ease of Access
 Medical and Assistive Technologies
 Technology for Teaching
 Video Games
 Smart Board
 Phonetic Ear
 Conclusion

INTRODUCTION
The use of technology in Special Education spans
nearly two centuries and is divided into six
primary areas:
Instructional Technology
 Technology Productivity Tools
 Information Technology
 Assistive Technology
 Medical Technology
 Technology for Teaching

TIME LINE OF TECHNOLOGY IN SPECIAL EDUCATION



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Since 1879, the federal government has supported the
production of alternative communication technologies, one of the
first was the use of Braille materials at the American Printing
House for the Blind.
As public school programs for students with disabilities increased,
a need was identified to improve the access to instructional
materials, media, and technology by special education teachers.
In 1964, the federal government funded two prototype Special
Education Instructional Materials Centers (SEIMCs) to explore
ways to make instructional technologies more accessible to special
education teachers.
Today, the US Department of Education Office of Special
Education and Rehabilitative Programs is responsible for
supporting states in their funding and implementation of special
education services and programs.
TIMELINE CHART
1834
Louis
Braille
invents the
Braille code
using
patterns of
six dots
1874
The Audio
phone Bone
Conduction
Amplifier
1935
The
Waldman Air
Conduction
Audiometer
is developed
to detect
hearing
impairments
1987
Technology,
Media, and
Materials
Program
established in the
Office of Special
Education
Programs (OSEP)
1900
The first
electrical
amplifying
device for
the hearing
impaired
1968
Doug
Engelbart
demonstrates
the use of a
mouse as a
way to
interact with
a computer
1903
Nikola Tesla
patents
electrical
logic circuits
called
“gates” or
“switches”
1968
Instructional
Media
Program to
include
production
and
distribution
of educational
media
1988
Technology-Related
Assistance Act for
Individuals with
Disabilities (The
Tech Act) provides
funding for
statewide systems
and services to
provide assistive
technology devices
and services
1917
Teletypewrite
rs appear
foreshadowin
g the
development
of today’s TTY
devices
1972
Atari is
founded. It
produces
Pong, the first
video game
1995
U.S. Department
of Education
creates Regional
Educational
Technology
Centers (RTECs)
to assist schools
in using
technology
effectively
1926
Pressey
develops a
teaching
machine that
uses
programmed
instruction
1981
IBM Personal
Computer (PC)
is introduced
and computers
entered
classrooms
1996
Telecommunication
s Act mandates that
telecommunication
systems and devices
must be accessible
for individuals with
disabilities and
provides funds for
schools and
libraries to access
telecommunications
(e-rate)
EASE OF ACCESS
A PC tool used for reading aloud
 Students use of Ease of Access
 http://windows.microsoft.com/enus/windows7/products/features/accessibility

MEDICAL AND ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES
Medical Technologies
 Augmentative Devices

TECHNOLOGY FOR TEACHING IN SPECIAL
EDUCATION

Phonetic ear

Video games

Interactive whiteboard ((Smart boards)).

Projectors

Pencil grips.
PHONETIC EAR
It is a microphone for the teacher to wear, and 4
speakers placed around the classroom.
 The purpose: to get students attention when the
teacher speaks.

VIDEO GAMES
Game show wizard: the teacher can create
his/her game by writing questions related to the
material. Then, the teacher can choose from 8
forms to start playing.
 Video games improves social skills.
 A real story about how video games helping a
special need kid.

SMART BOARD
Used as a projector and an interactive tool
 Playing games on it (e.g. Vocabulary Games)
 allows teachers to address different learning
styles - visual, auditory and kinesthetic
 helps students with autism, for example, improve
communication skills through group collaboration
 Since students with special needs frequently
respond well to visuals, the SMART Board takes
this one step further by projecting really large
visuals

PENCIL GRIPS (( LOW -TECH TOOLS))
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Students with grip disorders, caused by a wide variety of different health
and mental disabilities, may benefit and write more comfortably when
taking notes and completing assignments with non-traditional pencils.
Primary pencils can allow students to have a better hold on their
pencils. The larger size, softer lead, and ability to write clearly without a
very sharp edge, make these pencils a high-quality alternative. If a
student is having difficulty applying enough pressure to a pencil to have
the lead mark dark enough to read, then pencil weights are an easily
attachable device.
In addition to specialty pencils, pencil grips, may make writing easier for
special education students. There are several different types of pencil
grips. Pencil grips can soften the texture of a pencil, or assist a student in
holding the pencil correctly. One specific type of pencil grip, referred to as
the C.L.A.W., aids students to learn to hold their pencil
correctly. Learning this skill can be overlooked by many teachers, but is
an important skill and helps to improve handwriting effectiveness and
speed.
CONCLUSION
These technologies are just examples, but there
are more of them in special education field.
 The challenge is that technology is often too
expensive for school or parents to afford.

CITATION
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Blackhurst, A.E., & Edyburn, D.L. (2000). A brief history of special
education technology. Special EducationTechnology Practice, 2(1), 2136.
Mott,Kelly. (2007). Integrating Technology in a Special Education
Classroom. PowerPoint.
Gately, Julie. "Video Gaming: Access for All." Special Education
Technology (Apr. 2009): 2-5.
Ketcham, Laura. "Low-Tech Tools in Special Education." Web log post.
Special Education MangoMon Blog. Denis Soukhanov, 1 Mar. 2010.
Web. <http://www.mangomon.com/blog/bid/16621/Low-Tech-Tools-inSpecial-Education>.
Bryant, D.P., & Bryant, B.R. (2003). Assistive Technology Devices to
Enhance Access to Information. Assistive Technology for People with
Disabilities, 111-133.