Effects and Outcomes of Assistive Technology for Students with Learning Disabilities Introduction: The conversation I hear among some teachers and parents regarding the use of assistive technology include the following complaints on limitations and disadvantages; The negative affects using technology has on students' attention span, seeing technology as entertainment and not as a tool to learn, the cost of technology, students relying too heavily on it, worries about regression in other skills, and that teacher training is time-consuming. This topic is important because IDEA requires special ed as well as general education teachers to service students in the least restrictive environment. Meaning, general ed teachers are also responsible for …show more content…
Both special educators and general educators could save time and effort in the classroom by adapting the right assistive technology device to meet the students' needs. Teachers should be encouraged to use devices and tools that could potentially help students reach their full potential resulting in higher confidence while undertaking difficult tasks. The ultimate goal is to prepare students to "live and behave more independently when they leave school" (Alnahdi, 2014). Assistive technology aids in reducing barriers of general education curriculum and includes special education students in a classroom with peers. The general education classroom environment needs to be designed to be accessible to everyone. This article not only addresses the academic benefit of using assistive technology but the addition of personal enjoyment into their completing tasks and its practical use for transitioning to life after school. Therefore, it is important for teachers to have knowledge about technologies that support …show more content…
This lack of training results in teachers not integrating assistive technology in the classroom. During this study, the authors found teachers' knowledge and skill in assistive technology depended on the amount of training and exploration spent with assistive technology. Teachers who attended professional development that exposed them to various ways to integrate assistive technology resulted in positive outcomes but their change of mind about assistive technology did not change their practice within the classroom. Teachers continued to rely on experts to provide demonstrations. The article emphasized the need for teacher education programs to introduce assistive technology early on in the program and provide repeated exposure throughout the courses to properly prepare teachers for an inclusive classroom environment increased that chances that teachers would effectively use assistive technology in the future. Video tutorials that modeled using assistive technology and provided activities to practice was an effective
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.
In chapter four the focus switches away from assistive technology supporting students in one content area and focuses on the teaching profession and how assistive technology can assist teachers to employ a universal design for learning. The Universal Design for Learning (UDL) promote learning that best for the student and promoting students a variety of methods to express their knowledge.
Working as an Instructional Technology Specialist for the past seven years has provided many opportunities to observe teachers and students in a classroom setting. During this time teachers have been in the process of phasing in a new standards-based curriculum with an emphasis on student mastery of these standards. New technology tools have also been incorporated in many classrooms including studen...
Student, environment, task, and assistive technology tools (SETT) consist of several questions that serve as a guide for collecting data and making important assistive technology decisions” (Barbara, n.d.). The purpose of these questions is for the IEP team to “consider the student’s needs and abilities, develop a system of tools that address the student’s needs, and connect the AT assessment with the proposed intervention.” (Marino, 2006, p. 21). When asking these questions it’s important to focus on all aspects of “SETT”: the student, the environment, the task, and the devices being used. The ultimate goal is to have a balance between all four areas (Marino, 2006).
Schwarz, R., & Burt, M. ESL Instruction for Learning Disabled Adults. ERIC Digest. Washington, DC: National Center for ESL Literacy Education. (EDRS No. ED 379 966) (1995)
The purpose of technology is to help make us better. The way technology is to make us learn new things like graphing calculators, emails. Computers help our education to makes us better because it builds or modifies our personal skill with vast amounts of talents or skills. Today’s teachers uses computers to help teach the class nor do they give too much attention to computers. Schools won’t probably be called schools no more because of the vast amount of computers that it will become a learning institution. The technology can be a way of communication like the “way of communicating with other classmates or teachers” (Hill). Students no longer need to carry books, notebooks, pens and pencils. The computer has online books, Microsoft Word, and other software. Without technology there would be no smart homes, smart phones, smart cars, and smart TVs. How will the students with disabilities learn if technology was not a good teaching tool if they have a hard time focusing or has hearing loss or has a learning disability and the students are very slow learners? Students with Disabilities have the need to use a computer do homework or taking notes. Some problems that teachers have are students with disabilities of various types. The students with disabilities require more attention like my older brother Derrick because he has a learning disability so he gets a lot of attention. My brother Derrick also has a hard time walking, so my brother Derrick uses a walker to help him walk and he uses technology when he is in class. The second example of students with disabilities is me because I have ADHD which stands for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. I have a hard time focusing and sitting still and very often I forget things or I get very confused and I usually get bored very quick; therefore I get a lot of attention from
Assistive technology is often used by individuals with a learning disability. A learning disability “describes a neurobiological disorder in which a person’s brain works or is structured differently” (Lee1). A person’s abilities can be severely affected from a learning disability. They may listen differently, talk differently, write, spell, organize, and work with school subjects in a different way. Learning disabilities also affect people’s individual and personal lives to a great extent. According to the National Institutes of Health, one in seven children has a learning disability. The disability manifests itself when the child shows difficulty in reading, writing, spelling, and conversing with others. The added time they need to process information may make them seem less intelligent then others around them, but this is not the case. Individuals with learning disabilities are just as smart as anyone else; they just need to learn in a different way. The earlier a learning disability is noticed and detected, the earlier a child may be able to learn how to deal with or compensate for it (Lee 1). This is where assistive technology comes into play.
Several assistive listening devices can improve the communication ability of deaf children. According to IDEA, every child with a disability is entitled to have access to assistive technology (California Department of Education, 2004). The California Department of Education (2004) outlines IDEA’s definition of an assistive technology device. It explains that this device consists of “any item, piece of equipment or product system…that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability” (California Department of Education, 2004, p. 1).
Assistive Technology or “AT” is a term used in this context to describe an item or technique used to make the navigation of a home, school or play environment more accessible for a child with special needs (Lowenthal & Egan, 2003). This paper is written to explore some of the assistive technology (AT) options available to serve two children with special needs in separate circumstances. Low, mid and high tech options will be addressed with regards to the specific needs and intentions of the parents and teachers in each child’s life. Attached is a table offering options for assistive technology in the classroom to support the educational goals of each child.The first case study addressed in this paper is Savannah, a three-year old student who is wheelchair bound. She has a seizure disorder and has been diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy. She has limited vision but seems to be able to recognize items presented to her such as shapes and colors. Savannah participates in “social” language. She loves music and cause/effect activities. She knows all of her colors and shapes, is able to recite the alphabet by rote. In written word, Savannah recognizes both her name and those of her classmates. Savannah’s parents have expressed a desire to have her placed in a more restrictive classroom, and her teacher is interested in working more to support Savannah in the areas of writing and organizational skills. Some assistive technology suggestions for use in supporting Savannah are discussed below. Because Savannah’s teacher is working on encouraging Savannah in the area of writing, assistive technology options to support this area of development will be discussed herein. A low-tech ...
... 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
Wright, Vivian H. and Elizabeth K. Wilson. "Teacher’s Use of Technology: Lessons Learned from the Teacher Education Program to the Classroom." 20.2 (2011): 48-58. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
As available options and features of assistive technologies have increased, their use has been more widely considered and recommended. The differences among individual clients can be better accommodated due to this expanded choice; however, the process of matching client and technology remains convoluted because expectation of and reactions to technologies are complex. Counselor involvement in this part of the process assures expectation and reaction are on the same
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “Technology is the practical application of knowledge especially in a particular area.” However, technology continues to change the world daily. For example we use computers to enter data, communicate, or search the web. Technology helps everyone get their job done faster, instead of doing everything by hand. Everyone uses technology in a variety of ways such as replacing an amputation, stimulating muscles, or running tests to diagnose patients. I am going to talk about how technology is being used in Physical Therapy using computers, whirlpools, and ultrasound therapy.
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
Technology has many different effects on education, one of them being enhancing the students learning. Technology may enhance the students learning and may assist most students in achieving their academic standards. When technology and appropriate teaching methods are combined, technology may increase the academic achievement. Positive effects have been found in all major subject areas, from preschool to higher education, both regular and special needs students. Educational technology has been found to have a positive effect on a student’s attitude toward learning and on self-concepts. The introduction of technology into the learning environment has allowed the learning to be more student-centered, to encourage group learning, and helps to stimulate an increase in the student-teacher interaction. Technology has shown a shift from a focus on a student’s memorization to their problem solving. Through technology’s use, learning opportunities have become unrestricted by time or place, allowing lifelong learning. Student use of technology through communications can also help to enhance access to a career and continued education. Students are more likely to use a computer to get help because they can to it themselves. Technology is helping students to become independent.