Assistive technology

Assistive technology

• 1.
  Working with studentswith special needs
• 2.
  • A studentwho is physically, mentally, or behaviorally handicapped is considered a student with disabilities. • Working with students with disabilities can be a challenge, but it is a rewarding process that will help students in the long run. • These disabilities not only hinder the affected student, but they can also cause distractions for the rest of the class and frustration for the teacher if the disability is not addressed. • The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was created to assist students with disabilities by providing opportunities for them to succeed academically.
• 3.
  • An IndividualizedEducation Plan is a special plan created to meet the unique needs of individual students with disabilities. • Each plan has a set of goals for the student to meet and a set of instructional methods designed to help the student meet those needs. • There are several methods that teachers can utilize to make IEP integrations into regular curriculum smooth and easy on the student, teacher, and the rest of the class. • Following IEPs can be difficult if there is only one teacher dealing with multiple students with disabilities, which is where Assistive Instruction comes into play.
• 4.
  • There areseveral ways that teachers can assist their students, and one of the primary ways is by implementing assistive instruction and technology into their classroom curriculum. • Assistive Instruction is an umbrella term that encompasses any resource a teacher uses to help assist in the learning process of students with disabilities. • These tools can vary from supportive chairs for physical impairments to accessibility software for computer interaction. • With new advancements in technology, Assistive Instruction has become easier than ever to access and utilize. • The following slides give brief examples of how Assistive Technology can be used to aid students with disabilities in the learning process.
• 5.
  • A studentsuffering from ADHD is most likely to be easily distracted or readily bored or frustrated with work that requires passively sitting. • Active learning is one the most effective solutions. • Have the student participate in activities that get him or her moving. • When passive reading or writing activities are going on, have the student use noise reducing ear phones or plugs to cut the noise and the distraction. • Another effective method of dealing with distractions is to create a “quiet area” with boards or boxes where students with ADHD can be blocked off from distracting movements and noises. • Giving these students organized schedule agendas, electronic check lists, and using color coordinated items will help keep these students organized and focused on the task at hand.
• 6.
  • For studentswho are hearing impaired, Hearing Assistive Technology (HATs) is the easiest solution to hearing problems. • However, these devices are not always available to either student or teacher, and the easiest solution in this case would be to place the student near the front of the class. • Keeping the noise level down in the classroom will also help those students who are struggling to hear. • Using presentations and writing on the black board are also ways to assist students with hearing disabilities because they allow the student to read rather than strain to hear what the teacher is saying. • Smart Pens would also help because they record audio as the student takes notes, and the student can then go back and listen to the teacher lecture using headphones.
• 7.
  • Touchscreens andTablets are a great way to work with students who have mild learning disabilities. • They allow students to point, touch, and interact with information. • Tablets are built in such a way that the students actually teach themselves by using and experimenting with the tablet’s various functions. • Working in cooperative learning groups can also help these students by giving them activities that they can do at their own pace with a group of peers who will help guide them when the teacher is not immediately available. • Notebooks, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), and word processing software can also help these students in the process of taking notes and organizing information.
• 8.
  • Use Speech-to-Textsoftware that will help the hearing impaired. • Use class organizers and lesson outlines and study guides that will keep students focused and will cut down on the confusion about what is going on. • Use page magnifiers for students with visual disabilities. • Use video recordings of the class to assist visual learners. • Use pencil grips, special desks, and make the classroom accessible for students with physical disabilities. • Use alternative or color coded keyboards for students with learning disabilities or students with visual disabilities. • Use digital Braille embossers for students who are blind.
• 9.
  • There aremany different disabilities that students struggle with on a day-to-day basis. • Despite the challenges that these disabilities present to both student and teacher, there are easy solutions and Assistive Instructional methods that ease the learning process. • Teachers should always be aware of these needs and strive to make learning a smooth and enjoyable process for their students. • Ultimately, students with disabilities will succeed in the learning environment through the patience and flexibility of their teachers and the use of Assistive Technology.
• 10.
  • Individualized EducationPlan • Assistive Technology • Guidelines to choosing Assistive Technology • Overview of Assistive Technology • Assistive Technology for Mild Disabilities • Assistive Instruction for Hearing Disabilities (HATs) • Touchscreens and Tablets • Georgia Project for Assistive Technology • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act • Microsoft Accessibility • Assistive Technology Devices for Study and Organization • Assistive Technology for Students with Learning Disabilities