My Assistive Technology Implementation Plan

6. Some challenges with assistive technologies are : “Faculty training still does not acknowledge the fact that digital media literacy continues its rise in importance as a key skill in every discipline and profession, the emergence of new scholarly forms of authoring, publishing, and researching outpace sufficient and scalable modes of assessment, too often it is education’s own processes and practices that limit broader uptake of new technologies, the demand for personalized learning is not adequately supported by current technology or practices, new models of education are bringing unprecedented competition to the traditional models of higher education, and most academics are not using new technologies for learning and teaching, nor for organizing their own research,” (Lepi, 2013).

In the Overview of Assistive Technology and Implementation Video by Margina Busby, she gives a lecture on what assistive technology is and how it can be used in the classroom. I learned that assistive technology is “any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized that is used to increase, maintain, or improve capabilities of individuals with disabilities.” Some examples of assisted technology are calculators, pencil grips, pocket dictionaries, communication systems (with or without voice output), adapted textbooks, and modified utensils. It is interesting to see all of the different forms of assistive technology that can be used in the classroom. I am currently taking a class

We can utilize iPads or tablets and provide students with fun educational games. They can also utilize computers for several activities. Technology also offers exceptional methods to assess children. When we observe a child at the computer it provides us with a “window into a child’s thinking process” (Weir et al. 1982). Technology in some cases can mean that a child can talk through a special device that helps him/her communicate such as an Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device. A device as such is known as an Assistive Technology device. Assistive Technology devices are used to help individuals with special needs in life. “Integrated curriculum allows students to employ technology in ways that enhance learning” (Jackson, 2009). A SMART board can also be classified as an assistive technology device because it magnifies the information that teachers are showing to students. “As technology becomes increasingly infused in instruction for the general student population, the options for curriculum access, participation and progress increase for students with disabilities” (Jackson, 2009). When it comes to students who speak a different language, they can utilize a translator to help them translate from their language into English and vice versa. Technology can fit into a developmentally appropriate program because students can do age appropriate work such as educational games and assignments. Developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) is “a framework of principles and guidelines for best practice in the care and education of young children, birth through age 8” (Helm, 2008). Technology can fit into a DAP because students learn at their own level. Play is an important vehicle for children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development, as well as a reflection of their development. Understanding that children are active constructors of

Step five in the approach given by the authors of this article is to incorporate evidence-based and research-based practices. Three practices were mentioned in this article: systematic instruction, graphic organizers, and technology. Examples of systematic instruction are: using constant time delay and using intrusive prompts. With technology being available in schools, students with severe disabilities are provided the necessary tools to help them learn more efficiently.

One of the courses the Special Needs Educational Assistant (SNEA) program has for the fall term is the assistive and adaptive technology class. Throughout the course, I learned the kinds of assistive technology (AT)- low tech, mid tech, and high tech- commonly used by students who have special needs. Moreover, we even had the chance to review several apps and the featured accessibilities of Windows and Mac, which are fully relevant and beneficial to students. Also, we had a tour at the iCan Center at Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, which is a refreshing and eye-opening experience as we get to practice how to use some of the AT, which we only get to discuss in class. As the term ends, I can say that my knowledge and skills in technology

Throughout this six week course, Meeting Individual Needs with Technology, we have researched the spectrums of Assistive Technology available for the individual and the classroom, and researched the different types of disabilities and how the Assistive Technology can aid students in navigating life and succeeding as individuals.

The use of technology in educating children with special needs has widely grown in the past few decades, and has since has changed the way people with disabilities live, work, and learn” (Winzer, 2002, p. 98). Individuals with special needs are unique and all have different areas in which they need assistance. Due to the advancements in assistive technology, computer programs, software, and other technology tools, have helped people to find useful and easier ways to become educated.

Assistive technology is any device, aids or services, that substitute or compensate for an impaired physical or mental ability. (Grand Canyon University. n.d. Lecture 1) There are a number of assistive technology devices available to use with students. The members of the IEP team will collaborate to determine the devices, if any, that fit the needs of the special education student. There is a range of options available, from low-tech devices using no electronics and usually inexpensive, to high-tech devices, that are often computer based and can be expensive. (Dell, Newton, Petroff, 2012) Some examples of a low-tech assistive devices are, pencil grips and extra wide pens or pencils. These devices will aid the student with fine motor problems and help them to write and draw in

Assistive technology can be designed to increase interdependence among disabled children or prevent disabled students from achieving personal goals. Specialized technology helps disabled people to become more independent and more involved in the activities in schools and communities (Berry, 2003).Assistive technology increases a child social skills by building up psychical functioning. This helps students to build social skills and interdependence because they will not depend on their caregivers. Also, communication devices can help children increase hearing impairment .Children who have a difficulty hearing do not have hearing aid. Therefore, assistive devices can provide hearing aids for children who have hearing loss. This can help children by allowing them to be aware of their surroundings by listening .Devices that function for daily activities helps disabled children to complete daily tasks. For example, they are devices that will help enhance social skills. There are assistive devices that would help children to learn how to read and write. Also, gain study skills and gain knowledge. Special software’s allow people with cognitive impartments to use the computer to enhance their memory, and to communicate (Berry, 2003).People who are blind are able to use cognitive devices because it would enhance their speaking skills and allow them to be

Assistive technology is becoming more prevalent in today’s classrooms. It is helping students with disabilities to access curriculum they were not able to in previous generations. Many laws have been put in place to ensure the availability of assistive technology to all who need it. Laws such as Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) have put an emphasis on public education systems providing necessary funding for these individuals placing their needs first.

In 1984 five clinicians from North Shore Children’s Hospital in Salem, MA founded the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST). They met in a local pizza parlor and conceived the idea to “explore ways of using new technologies to provide better educational experiences to students with disabilities.” They were given an anonymous grant of $15,000 to get started and CAST began to focus on how technology could enhance the learning experiences for students with disabilities (CAST Timeline 2015). Today UDL is being applied in classrooms other learning environments to better accommodate the learning styles of all students. UDL is a powerful and flexible form of curricula, which is designed to embrace and enhance the natural variability of learners (Glass, Meyer, Rose 2013).

Assistive technology can support the student by closing the gap between what the student is able to do now and what he/she could do with an Assistive Technology. Assistive technology has been successful to help develop students’ communication skills so he/she may interact with their environment (Bowden-Carpenter et al., 2014).

This literature review will outline how IT technologies can be assistive in terms of improving writing skills for students with dyslexia.

Kurzweil 3000 was a good educational software to provide reading and writing. I learned in Trends of Technology is about Assistive Technologies can use the screen readers that you can hear electronic text as a speech-to-text software to use their voice to enter to your text. However, Assistive Technology can be useful for a students with disabilities it can make things possible. Moreover, students without disabilities it makes things easier. With this new knowledge in my life was i can read the words aloud, writing a misspelled words, and highlighting a important text in the worksheets.

The use of technology in educating children with special needs has widely grown in the past few decades. Individuals with special needs are unique and all have different areas in which they need assistance. Due to the advancements in assistive technology, computer programs, software, and other technology tools, it has become much easier for people to find useful and easier ways to become educated. Because of this, “technology has changed the way people with disabilities live, work, and learn.” (Winzer,98)