assistive technology tools what are they? how are they used in the classroom? what are the possible...
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Assistive Technology Tools
WHAT ARE THEY?HOW ARE THEY USED IN THE CLASSROOM?
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE GAINS AND DRAWBACKS FOR THE CLASSROOM?
SCREEN READER
CLOSE CIRCUIT MAGNIFICATION
BRAILLE TRANSLATION
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED
WHAT IS A SCREEN READER?
A screen reader combines sounds and pictures to explain
what is on a computer to a visually impaired individual .
HOW CAN IT HELP?
Students who would normally not be able to read the boards or literature would be able to hear it so they would be getting the same information.
Adapted workspace and sound. Students will need to be near an outlet and other students may be distracted
by the sound from the program.
POTENTIAL DRAWBACKS
IN THE CLASSROOM
A student who visually fatigues or is unable to read can listen to the
lesson.
CLOSE CIRCUIT MAGNIFICATIONClose circuit magnification is when a
camera projects on an item in a platform or from a handheld device
and magnifies it on a screen.
HOW CAN IT HELP?
IN THE CLASSROOM
POTENTIAL DRAWBACKSThe large the magnification, the smaller the viewing area.
Also, devices usually require a larger workstation than a standard desk so students can feel isolated from their
peers.
Some magnifiers have the capability to view the
blackboard or materials posted throughout the
classroom. A student would be able to see what the
others in his classroom are seeing.
Many devices offer instant access and
magnification adjustment according to individual
needs.
BRAILLE TRANSLATION
Braille translation happens when a software program transmits a script into a braille embosser which
prints out the information in braille to a visually impaired student.
HOW CAN IT HELP?
IN THE CLASSROOM
POTENTIAL DRAWBACKSWith a translator, the information is not
immediately available, and many teachers will not know braille well enough to support the
students literacy needs.
A student with the portable text will be able to manipulate it and go back and reread it. They will also have the same
print information as those with sight in their classroom.
Printing out the stories the other children in the class are reading, in braille, will
enable a student to get the practice of active reading which is not the same as
listening.
ADAPTIVE KEYBOARD
ADAPTIVE STUDENT DESKS
ALTERNATE COMMUNICATION DEVICES
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLGY FOR THE MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED
ADAPTIVE KEYBOARD
An adaptive keyboard alphabetizes the keys.
HOW CAN IT HELP?
IN THE CLASSROOM POTENTIAL DRAWBACKS
It reduces the strain on the user by letting them focus on the task instead of the keys.
Provides access to computers and other devices which would
normally be unreachable. A student can participate in the same lesson which is modified
to fit their needs.
Students run the risk of becoming dependent on the technology. If the keyboard
stops working or is no longer appropriate for their grade level, it becomes difficult to
move to a different keyboard.
ADAPTIVE STUDENT
DESKS
Desks for students with neurological impairments that are adjusted to the needs of the student. HOW CAN IT HELP?
A desk can be adapted to individual student needs.
IN THE CLASSROOM
A student who cant see well can have is work
closer. A student with a wheelchair can have his chair fit under the desk.
POTENTIAL DRAWBACKSGrowth is continuous
through school. Desks would need to be adjustable or an
incredible expense if they had to be
repurchased regularly.
ALTERNATE COMMUNICATION
DEVICESDevices that enable students with disabilities such as Down’s Syndrome and Autism to communicate more easily.
HOW CAN IT HELP?
Students who have a difficult time communicating will have a much easier way to let their teacher and peers know what they are thinking or trying to say.
IN THE CLASSROOMIn order to make sure all
children can be a part of the conversation, an alternate communication device can be used so a student does not feel left out. It can speak for the student.
POTENTIAL DRAWBACK
An obvious drawback with an alternative device is standing out in the classroom. Students want to fit in and feel like they are doing what everyone else is doing.
PERSONAL AMPLIFICATION DEVICE
AUDIO VISUAL COMMUNICATION DEVICES
VOICE TO TEXT TRANSLATION
ASSISTIVE FOR DEAF AND THE HARD OF HEARING
PERSONAL AMPLIFICATION
DEVICE
A device that amplifies that sounds near the user for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
POTENTIAL DRAWBACK
HOW CAN IT HELP?Students who are
hard of hearing will be able to listen to what is going on around them and be more engaging with the lesson.
Teachers will need to rely on their student to let them know if a device is working properly. Also, there is the
concern of batteries failing and background noise interference depending on the quality of the
device.
POTENTIAL USE IN THE CLASSROOM
Since students with only some hearing loss can miss verbal cues and subtleties, sometimes these students seem like they aren’t listening or are misbehaving. An amplifier can help with student behavior in the classroom.
AUDIO VISUAL COMMUNICATION
DEVICESA device that shows closer views of mouth movement to individual who are deaf or hard of hearing to help with understanding.
Can be used in a classroom so that students who can read lips have a better view of the teacher and her mouth in order to lip read.
HOW CAN IT HELP?
HOW CAN IT BE USED IN THE CLASSROOM?
While some students have to be placed in the front row in order to see the board, students all over the classroom will benefit from being able to see the teacher more closely. It can also be
used to zoom in on graphs, diagrams and
tables to point out things more closely.
POTENTIAL DRAWBACK
A potential drawback when it comes to this and most technology, is becoming reliant on something dependent on electricity and a teacher who knows how to use the equipment. Training and reliability are required.
VOICE TO TEXT TRANSLATION
A software device that converts spoken words into readable text on a screen.
Voice to text helps deaf or hard of hearing students see visually on a screen what has been said.
HOW DOES IT HELP?
POTENTIAL DRAWBACKS
Voice to text can be slow and inaccurate. Proofreading and punctuation are often necessary. Users also feel like they have to speak loudly in order to make the software work.
CLASSROOM POSSIBILITIESCould help a student whose oral language is better than his writing
skills.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXchQnJ6PoEhttp://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/every-learner/6776
http://en.wikipedia.org/http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistive-technology/963-
speech-recognition-software-programs.gs
http://www.audiologycentre.com/child_faq_management
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15771212
RESOURCES
Assistive tools are used to help students with disabilities perform
everyday tasks in the classroom. It is important for schools to not only provide them, but to train their
teachers to be positive about these tools and adequately prepared to use
them.
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