Assistive Technology for Student Success

By: Andreina Salas

What is AT?

• The use of any external device in order to enhance the performance of a certain task.

• In this presentation, we will focus on the use of Assistive Technology as a means of enabling students with disabilities to perform activities they have difficulties with or are unable to perform on their own.

• The purpose of this is to promote their independence in every day actions

IEP

• A student with any form of disability may be eligible to participate in an Individualized Education Program

• This can happen in three ways:– In a regular classroom with the help of teacher

aids

– In a designated room in a regular school with specialized trained teachers

– In a special school environment

IEP

• Though students with disabilities may be separated at times from regular school activities, the goal is to create as less of a restrictive environment as can be done and allow them to participate in regular activities as much as possible.

• However, in order to be selected for the IEP, the student must first be evaluated. Having a disability is not sufficient in order to be included in the IEP.

Planning Process

• A student must first be evaluated in their everyday activities and their performance on standardized tests. Does their disability affect their success in school?

• If so, then they are accepted into the program. This evaluation is done by trained professionals such as educators and therapists.

• Next comes a report of the student’s evaluation which both the parents and the trained professionals use to work together to create a plan.

Planning Process• The Individualized Plan itself is made up of:

– Short tem goals– Long term goals– Therapy that might be needed outside of the classroom– The collaboration of therapists and teachers to implement

necessary changes in the classroom – Different AT devices that will be implemented in the

classroom

• Plan can be changed as needed throughout the year but it must be evaluated annually.

• It is important to remember that the IEP varies depending on where the students goes to school (ex. Public vs Private)

Choosing AT

• As mentioned before, part of the IEP is choosing what kind of AT will be implemented in the classroom. In order to do this, a certain process must be followed.

• First, information about the student and their family must be gathered. What are the student’s strengths, weakness, and abilities?

• The student’s interactions in the classroom environment must be observed. How is the student participating? How is he not?

Choosing AT

• The above observations must then be studied. How can the student participate more? How can he be more successful?

• Discuss possible AT solutions with family and teachers. Should the AT solution focus on movement? Communication? Comprehension?

• Implement the solution and observe the results.

• Evaluate the results and modify if needed.

AT Devices

• One of the steps to choosing an AT device is to first decide which task does the student need help with. There are many devices offered that focus on audio, speech, writing, reading, etc. Here are some examples:

• Audio AT Devices: – Translating software which changes print based

notes to voice notes by using optical character recognition (OCR). This is beneficial to students with reading disabilities.

AT Devices

• Writing AT Devices:– Word document software with grammar and spell

checking, inclusion of dictionary and thesaurus, and word prediction.

– Computer editing and computer networking which would allow students to read and edit each other’s work. (Ex. Word Q)

– Programs that allow students to choose a serious of images representing certain ideas. This program would then turn the images to words which can then be edited by the student.

AT Devices

• Hearing AT Devices – There are many services offered that can be implemented with or without the use of a hearing aid or cochlear implant.

• The following can reduce any competing noise or make up for poor acoustics in the classroom.– FM Systems that resemble personalized radio stations.

These include the use of a microphone by the speaker and a listening device by the student. Can be implement during a lecture.

– The use of computerized speech recognition which changes the spoken word to the form of written text.

AT Devices

• ADHD – Though this is not considered a learning disability, there are many devices which can aid the students with their focus in the classroom. – Smartboards are technological boards which engage

the student by providing both physical movement and visual reinforcement in their learning.

– Timers are often thought of as an AT device though they may be low tech. These are highly effective as they help the student focus for a short period of time and are then rewarded by a break or an activity of their own choosing.

Web 2.0 Tools

• In the previous slides, I have mentioned some tools that can be beneficial to the students as they learn to work with their disabilities.

• However, there are many other Web 2.0 tools geared solely for the benefit of educators as they attempt to create a successful environment for their students. – Universal Design for Learning Assistive Technology

= aids in the development of curriculum and lesson planning

Web 2.0 Tools

• Considerations for Academic Success = offers a few other samples of AT devices that educators may not be familiar with. This is important in the Evaluation and Modification process.

• Support for Young Children = Offers new ideas for educators on how to make their students feel more independent and successful in the classroom

Works Cited Page

• "Assistive Technology Devices." Assistive Technology Devices. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2014.

• "Assistive Technology." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 02 Sept. 2014. Web. 09 Feb. 2014.

• "Ericdigests.org." Assistive Technology for Students with Mild Disabilities: Update 2002. ERIC Digest. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2014.

• "Hearing Assistive Technology." Hearing Assistive Technology. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2014.

• "Help for Young Learners: How To Choose AT?" LD OnLine: The World's Leading Website on Learning Disabilities and ADHD. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2014.

• "Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)." KidsHealth - the Web's Most Visited Site about Children's Health. Ed. Steven J. Bachrach. The Nemours Foundation, 01 May 2011. Web. 09 Feb. 2014.

• Shelton, Kerry. "Technology for ADHD Students - Kerry Shelton's Professional Portfolio." Kerry Shelton's Professional Portfolio. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2014.

• "TAM | Technology and Media Division." Technology Fans. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2014.