There are many devices in the market that were designed to make education easier for both the instructor and those with a disability. I have chosen to discuss Math Assistive Technology Devices. These tools are designed to help many who struggle with organizing, computing, and writing math problems on paper. Those who do struggle benefit with help from audio and visual support, these are just a couple support ides that will allow users to set up and calculate anything from basic to advanced math problems.
There are thousands of devices that have been developed through assistive technology to help those struggling with math from early childhood to secondary level education, I’m going to focus on devices that are designed for use in the elementary level education. The devices I will focus on are Talking Calculator, The Basic Ten Blocks, and Tangrams. These tools have become most widely used primarily because of cost effectiveness, and easy assessability of the products.
• Talking Calculator – is a basic calculator that has a built in speech synthesizer that will read the numbers, symbols, and operation keys out loud during use. The auditory feedback helps the student check for mistakes and accuracy of the keys they have pressed to verify the answer before putting the work on paper. The product is designed for anyone who is having problems with math, it also can be used to create more involvement in a math assignment. The cost of a talking calculator vary in price, but average around $14.00 and can be found anywhere on the internet, I found the best deal at http://www.colonialmedical.com/talking-calculator-P15156.html&ref=shopping.google.com
• Base Ten Block – one of the most popular uses of math instruction in elementary ...
... middle of paper ...
... The ten blocks system, and tangrams comes with some additional material which includes workbooks which the pages can be copied and used as parts of the lessons. The Calculator does not come with batteries and they will need to be supplied. A long term cost effective measure could be the purchase of rechargeable batteries to help offset some of the cost. All three items are, however very cost effective low tech and very easy for everyone to use and learn from.
Addressing the some pros and cons of these tools, first the calculator it has large buttons, the obvious voice feedback, the negative for the device is its limited scientific use, the calculator has limited function beyond basic addition and subtraction. The positives for the Ten Block System is the physical reinforcement of the concept of math and place value. The student can physically manipulate the
...o get attracted by easy and quick ways of learning things. If the technology provides easy and attractive solutions to students, they will get addicted to it and overuse it in ways which can certainly drop the educational standards. Gelernter disagrees with the comment made by a school principle, “Drilling addition and subtraction in an age of calculators is a waste of time.” (279). He revels the bitter truth where American students are not fully prepared for college because they have poorly developed basic skills. In contrast to this reality, he comments, “No wonder Japanese kids blow the pants of American kids in math.” (280). He provides the information from Japanese educator that in Japan, kids are not allowed to use calculators till high school. Due to this, Japanese kids build strong foundation of basic math skills which make them perform well in mathematics.
In this paper I will discuss two different case studies. The first case study involves a 35-month old girl named Kim who struggles with meal time, potty training, and play time with others. I will discuss four assistive technology devices, that would work for Kim. These devices will assist Kim with balance, mobility and undressing. The second case study involves a school age child name Billy, who struggles with benchmark objectives. Billy is in the fourth grade and use Assistive technology devices reading and math. I will discuss different AT devices that can be used to assist Billy with reading and math.
... read aloud, dictation to scribe, assistive devices, marks in book, braille/braille writer, magnification device, computer/word processor, testing in separate room, and large print.
Michael is a 15-year-old boy currently in the 9th grade. Michael has been receiving special education services since he was determined eligible in 2nd grade. Michael is currently receiving instruction in a self-contained classroom. According to the Brigance Diagnostic Comprehensive Inventory of Basic Skills conducted in April 2018, Michael’s computational math skills register at 2nd-grade level, and his problem-solving skills are at grade level 1. A review of classroom assessment and input from teachers indicates that Michael enjoys working on multiplications and tries very had to complete these problems. He is able to recite some facts but usually needs help in order to find the answers. Michael has improved upon addition and subtraction with regrouping. He now can add and subtract double digit numbers. However, he continues to need help with his subtraction problems. When reminded to regroup he is better able to complete his work. Michael has also worked with recognizing money and making change. This is an
Tyre, Peg. "Are IPads and Other Classroom Gadgets Really Helping Kids Learn?"TakePart. N.p., 31 Jan. 2013. Web. 18 Jan. 2014.
Some people argue that students no longer need to learn how to compute now that calculators are widely available. “While facility at one-digit computation is far from the primary aim of elementary school mathematics, it is an important skill that provides the foundation for many other topics”(Burton and Knifong, 1982).
...ous basis for instruction and assessment (Calculators: Good or Bad). Calculators have become a part of our curriculum and students need to be taught how to properly use the technology as our world continues to become a more efficient place.
... CLD info sheets: assistive technology. Council for Learning Disabilities. Retrieved on April 24, 2005, from http://www.cldinternational.org/c/@CS_yKIo7l8ozY/Pages/assistive.html
I took one look at that contraption, with all of its confusing measurement markers and immediately felt lucky to have my calculator, which did not look nearly as complicated as his old slide rule. From that point on I remember my father always taught me that technology was a useful tool that could aid me in my learning process. Throughout my young life he provided me with many technical toys and computer games that helped me to learn things like basic math and reading. He felt that if I had fun learning, then I would always want to learn.
The first advantage would be teachers embracing tech in the classroom.Teachers embrace tech as a teaching tool in a way the students will understand.According to Eric board when students took an assignment of translating passages of Othello into other dialects,some students used the texting dialect,”resulting in some very interesting dialogue between lago and othello.The kind of technology teachers are embracing on are high tech calculators,Ipads,smartboards,and a variety of sites.Today’s high tech calculators don’t just calculate certain equations but also graph equations,how to find the greatest common factor,and even get a larger view or smaller view of the graph.The use of ipads in the classroom is useful for both the teacher and the student. For the students the ipad can give them some hints on the problem their solving and maybe even keep a record of their grades that certain student has so they can easily check up on them at any time. While for the teachers they can easily set up tests and quizzes and even grade assignments quickly and effecently.Although some teachers still use regular boards,most teachers use smart boards to teach. These boards are like ordinary boards except these are controlled by remote control pen.By just clicking on the board questions can be written...
After viewing the video by Wolfram (2010), I believe that as teachers we need to prepare more for using computers. Most of my students have a smartphone. And they use it for almost everything, including using the calculator. “Using new technologies involves time, effort, and a rethinking of instructional approaches.” (Sousa. 2015, p. 129). I learned math in a paper, and I love it, but I feel that today that is not enough for our students. Our students get bored about doing calculation the whole time on a piece of paper. Wolfram (2010) questioned, “Do we really believe that the math that most people are doing in school practically today is more than applying procedures to problems they don 't really understand, for reasons they don 't get?”
Bowser and Reed [1995] as cited by Bryant et al [1998] argue that as a child progresses through the Education System, their requirements change and this may necessitate a need for different devices. This is not limited to those children with a physical disability but is relevant to all children with SEN as they progress and the Education System places additional burdens upon them. For children with a visual impairment ICT can provide support in various ways; tools to support communication, to improve access to information and as a means of producing learning materials in alternative. There is a wide range of devices and software, which can
During my education, teachers have had many more resources available to them than they did during my Grandpa's time. Calculators, computers, and TV are everyday tools used for teaching. Teachers taught us how to use a calculator at a very early age. Since the fifth grade, I have used a computer to write or research most of my asiments. Every year, the amount of work I do on a computer increases.
Many parents don’t realise how they can help their children at home. Things as simple as baking a cake with their children can help them with their education. Measuring out ingredients for a cake is a simple form of maths. Another example of helping young children with their maths is simply planning a birthday party. They have to decide how many people to invite, how many invitations they will need, how much the stamps will cost, how many prizes, lolly bags, cups, plates, and balloons need to be bought, and so on. Children often find that real life experiences help them to do their maths more easily.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E. R., & Kuhn, M. (2012). Using technology with classroom instruction that works (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA and Denver, CO: ASCD and Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning.