Assistive Technology to Enhance Student Learning

M. Goodison

What is assistive technology?Assistive technology is an umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and also includes the process used in selecting, locating, and using them. Assistive technology promotes greater independence by enabling people to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to accomplish, or had great difficulty accomplishing, by providing enhancements to, or changing methods of interacting with, the technology needed to accomplish such tasks.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assistive_technology

Students with DisabilitiesKids struggling in school may qualify for support services, allowing them to be taught in a special way, for reasons such as:

• learning disabilities• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)• emotional disorders• cognitive challenges• autism• hearing impairment• visual impairment• speech or language impairment• developmental delay

***What technologies are available to help these students be successful in the classroom?

Source: http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/learning/iep.html#

Deciding on Assistive Technologies (AT)

Identifying AT solutions to support a child’s participation is best done as a team process!

Brainstorm AT solutions: With the activity and desired outcomes established, you are now ready to discuss possible solutions with educators, family members, physical therapist, and other people with whom the child interacts on a weekly basis. Do the child’s needs include supports for movement, communication and/or use of materials? Start with what is available in the environment (what other children use) and consider adaptations to those materials. A range of options that address specific support areas should be considered.

Source: http://www.ldonline.org/article/8088

Process

• Evaluate the student’s technology needs

• Acquire the necessary technology

• Coordinate technology use with other therapies and interventions

• Provide training for individuals, the individual’s family and school staff in the effective use of the technology

Source: http://assistivetechnologyforeducation.com/examples-of-assistive-technology/

Types of AT• "No-technology" or "no-tech" refers to any assistive

device that is not electronic. No-tech items range from a piece of foam glued onto the corners of book pages to make turning easier to a study carrel to reduce distraction.

• "Low-technology" or "low-tech" devices are electronic but do not include highly sophisticated computer components, such as an electronic voice-recording device or a "talking watch" (Behrmann & Schaff, 2001).

• "High-technology" or "high-tech" devices utilize complex, multifunction technology and usually include a computer and associated software.

Source: http://www.ericdigests.org/2003-1/assistive.htm

Source: www.teachthought.com

Examples

***Read and Write Gold – Comprehensive Literacy software with features such as Text-to-Speech with highlighting, Word Prediction while typing, Study skills for organization and research, and more.

***E-Books and Apps

***Voice Recognition Software

***Text-To-Speech Software

Source: http://assistivetechnologyforeducation.com/examples-of-assistive-technology/

Examples

***DAISY Audio Players

***iPad and iPhone Apps

***QR Codes and Bar Codes

***Magnification Software and Hardware

***ScreenReaders

***LiveScribe SmartPen

Source: http://assistivetechnologyforeducation.com/examples-of-assistive-technology/

Specific Examples:

-auditory needs

-ADHD

-disabilities that cause reading and writing deficiencies

Suggested technologies…

Auditory

HATS- Hearing assistive technology systems (HATS) are devices that can help you function better in your day-to-day communication situations. HATS can be used with or without hearing aids or cochlear implants to make hearing easier—and thereby reduce stress and fatigue. Hearing aids + HATS = better listening and better communication!

Source: http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/treatment/assist_tech.htm

ADHD

A digital pen, such as the Livescribe Pen, is a good investment for many students. The Livescribe Pen (which starts at $99.95) captures the audio in the classroom, which can then be uploaded, and shared, online. Students can tap on the notes they took during class and hear the audio recorded at the moment they were writing. The pen is helpful for students who don't catch the main points during class.

Source: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/9365.html

Dyslexia

Debra Bauder, president of the Special Education Technology Interest Group of the International Society for Technology in Education, recommends a program called Inspiration, a graphic organizer to help students with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, aphasia, or who struggle with organizing their thoughts into written words. The software (which costs $59 for a single user) is meant to engage kids in the writing process through diagrams, outlines, graphics, video, and sound. Teachers can link the software to an interactive whiteboard to demonstrate it for the class.

Source: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/9365.html

AT available in classroom now:

• Speech to text software installed on student computers in each classroom (Auditory)

• SMART tablet, SMART response systems with SMART board allowing those students who demonstrate hyperactivity allowing them to interact throughout the lesson (ADHD)

• Internet access to Wordsift.com to help students with primary source documents. The site picks out the key words and enlarges them to help students formulate a summary (Reading comprehension)

Sources:Behrmann, M., M.K. Jerome (2002). Assistive Technology for students with mild disabilities. EricDigests.org:

http://www.ericdigests.org/2003-1/assistive.htm. Accessed 2/26/15.

Duffy, F. (2015). “The Write Tools for ADHD Students.” Additude Mag: http://www.Additudemag.com/adhd/article/9365.html. Accessed 2/26/15.

“Assistive Technology.” Wikipedia.com: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assistive_technology. Accessed 2/26/15.

“Individualized Education Programs.” KidsHealth.org: http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/learning/iep.html#. Accessed 2/26/15.

“Hearing Assistive Technology.” ASHA.org: http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/treatment/assist_tech.htm. Accessed 2/26/15.

“AT Examples.” Assistive Technology for Education, LLC: http://assistivetechnologyforeducation.com/examples-of-assistive-technology/. Accessed 2/26/15.

“Helping for Young Learners: How to Choose AT?” LDOnline.org: Source: http://www.ldonline.org/article/8088. Accessed 2/26/15.