What
"Build An Assistive Technology Toolkit" offers educators a list of assistive technology programs and tools that teachers can utilize to help students who might need to use them. Several types of tools are listed, including speech recognition (which may help students who have difficulty typing) and magnification (so visually-impaired students can see the screen better). It gives basic details on how to install programs on a computer or license software through a schools' IT department.
Kelly Ahrens, the author of the article, serves as the director of technology for East Providence School District in Rhode Island. She has a firm grasp of the topic and is willing to share her knowledge with others.
So What
This article is useful because it provides information on helpful tools that many people may not be aware of. For teachers, it is important because some students may not have the same abilities as everybody else. Students who suffer from vision impairment, hearing loss or poor motor skills need not fall behind on tasks involving the use of technology, because the technology to help them keep pace with their peers is available.
Now What?
This article has informed me about assistive technology tools that I can make use of as a teacher to help any students I have that suffer from any sort of impairment. I will be able to help these students improve the quality of their work and increase their self-confidence. I am especially interested in the prospects of speech-recognition software.
Source:
Ahrens, K. (2011). Build an assistive technology toolkit. Learning & Leading With Technology, 39(3), 22-24. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Store/Product?ID=2270
Dylan,
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job at summarizing the article! I believe that it is important whether you want to be a special education or not to have an understanding of technology in the classroom. Technology is such a huge tool today and will be huge tool in the future. I believe that it is crucial to have an understanding of technology because it serves as a great way to reinforce the material that was taught in class.
Dylan,
ReplyDeleteI read the same article you did, and I enjoyed your blog about it. It is very important that teachers help their students with special needs get the specific help they need so they can use technology in the same way as other students. I agree with you that these tools can help students increase their self confidence. I am definitely interested in using these tools someday as well.
Dylan, very interesting blog. I am planning on becoming a special education teacher and one of my blogs is on assistive technology, also. It is a wonderful world that our children live in now with all the devices that can help accommodate a child with a physical or emotional disability. Using these new tools can help a child who has a learning disability get to play on an even field with others now.
ReplyDeleteI also read the same article as you, and I agree with your perspective of every student getting an equal chance at education. With all of the advancements in technology, I am glad to see adaptations that are being put in place for students to with disabilities. Do you feel that students will appreciate the technology that they do have, or will they feel frustrated learning how to do everything a new way? Great Post!
ReplyDelete-Calah
Dylan, you mentioned some very good points with this post. I liked your mention that the article briefly touches on basic details of installing programs and license software through a schools' IT department. I have encountered several tools which are only available to schools and other institutions. I had not given this much thought previously. In accordance with this, after my recent purchase of an iPad, I was searching for an effective MS Office application to install on the device. I ended up going down to our CSUSM IT department and they were able to direct me through the installation of Citrix, and of course I obtained the MS software for free. I also liked your mention of how as teachers, we will have the ability to increase the self-confidence of students with disabilities. As teachers give so much thought and effort into locating and accessing web tools, and assistive technology that will enhance the learning potential of students with disabilities, recognizing the positive impact they can have on the personal growth of these student's is something that should be kept in mind.
ReplyDelete