Assistive technology should help level the learning field for all students.
Assistive technology accomplishes this goal by providing assistive devices and
support alongside these devices. Assistive technology was especially interesting to
me as I am a co-teacher in the inclusion classroom. I teach alongside a certified
special education teacher and have the privilege of working with 35 students who
are serviced by an individualized education plan daily. As the law states, educators
should always strive to teach in a least restrictive environment. This is visible in the
classroom when the learning goal or objective is not changed, but simple
accommodations and devices are provided to help the student accomplish the
provided task. A simple example of an accommodation could be more time on a
test.
The first group of students who would benefit from assistive technology is
those with mild disabilities. An example of a student in this category may have poor
motor skills but normal cognitive functioning ability. This particular student will
understand the question and know an answer, but due to underdeveloped motor
skills, may not be able to write. The assistive technology that would help this
student the most would be Naturally Speaking Dragon. Accompanied with a
microphone, the student would be able to answer the question with words opposed
to writing. A teacher testimony in the Star Legacy Module stated that a student with
similar challenges also benefited from this type of technology. She stated that the
student’s answers were much more elaborate and complete when he was able to
speak his answer compared to writing it.
The second group of students who profit from using assistive technology are
those with moderate to severe cognitive disabilities. Students within this group
may be limited in communication skills. With assistive technology available, these
students may now communicate adequately enough to learn in the classroom.
Attainment Company’s Go Talk NOW provides software available on the iPad that
will help these students make the necessary adjustments. The features of the iPad
give even more diversity to this assistive technology as pictures are available for
import from the device’s camera or photo library. Students with moderate to severe
cognitive disabilities may have new opportunities for learning never had before
thanks to the Go Talk NOW iPad application.
Students with physical disabilities are also capable of benefiting from
assistive technology. When dealing with technology, specifically, computers,
students with physical impairments may have trouble using the keyboard. The
problem with the keyboard is how small each button is and its close proximity to all
other buttons. Intellikeys helps accommodate theses students by providing a
keyboard with interchangeable overlays. The overlay can be designed for the
individual student and lesson. The keys are large and separated from others.
Intellikeys also uses bright colors to help distinguish the keys from one another.
Students with physical disabilities should no be limited in the classroom due to
difficult to use devices, such as the mouse and keyboard. Assistive technology levels
the playing field for these students.
Students with sensory disabilities may include blindness, visual impairments,
or hearing impairments. I teach a student with extreme visual impairments. His
impairment limits him in such a way the he often holds his textbook within an inch
of his left eye. A piece of assistive technology that may be beneficial to this young
man would be the Ruby Handheld Video Magnifier by Freedom Scientific. This piece
of technology is capable of changing colors of the text to provide students with the
most comfortable magnified reading options available. Students with sensory
impairments will have enhanced learning opportunities with the accommodations
the right assistive technology provides.
Assistive technology will provide students identified as at risk with high
engagement activities that will help facilitate learning. One such device is
Scholastic’s Go Solve Word Problems. This interactive website slows down the
understand portion of solving word problems. This product becomes so important
in the school system as most summative assessments use word problems. Using Go
Solve Word Problems, at risk students will be given an opportunity to master one of
mathematics most difficult conceptual tasks.
Gifted and talented students should have their educational needs meet just as
any other group. Duke TIP does a great job in providing an inquiry-based
technology resource, Independent Learning Product. This may be purchased by
subject and gives self-motivated learners an opportunity to learn critical thinking
skills. For students in the early middle school years, Duke TIP provides a course in
cryptology. In this course, students become familiar with the vocabulary and
techniques most often used in breaking codes. This group of students learning
needs is above the expected standard; educators must provide the appropriate
assistive technology to meet their curiosity.
As previously stated, assistive technology should help level the playing field
for students in the classroom. Students should experience success in learning and
be provided with these opportunities alongside their peer group. With appropriate
assistive technology, students will receive the education they deserve.