Assistive
Technology Tool Box for Students with Special Considerations
While
technology may have it’s down falls, for example; privacy rights issues and
concerns of it creating a generation of face to face socially inept and
disconnected citizens there are indeed some benefits to it. Technological apps
can bridge gaps for those who come to the education table with IEP’s,
disabilities, special considerations and learning difficulties.
Reading
and acquiring the use of language properly as a means to effectively
communicate with peers and adults can be a struggle for many children. This can
not only affect their interpersonal relationships down the line but as well it
affects their academics. With schools seeing a large increase in students who
have been identified as needing extra assistance; technology apps have opened
an alternative door for these students to explore. According the Kelly Ahrens,
a technology director for the East Providence School District, “You can instill
independence and confidence in students with special needs by finding tools and
working with your IT department.”
With
that said, it will and can be a challenge to install these tools as it requires
a cohesive effective partnership between teacher and the districts IT team.
Every school year a new set of children and each one is unique and one app may
not benefit one student but may benefit the other. In order to insure
expediency it is important to quickly identify the needs of the students within
the first few weeks of class and immediately work with the IT team. My suggestion
would be form a very good relationship with these IT people. A little coffee
drop off early in the morning on the way to school as a Thank You may be a
great way to aid your students and the bonus is the team feels appreciated.
The
piece Kelly Ahrens wrote goes over
technology details that gives teachers useful information and insight into the
process of app adding etc from the perspective of the IT team side. While I
found that to be helpful, I did not find it to be the best part of the article.
The
most informative section covered accessibility opens to tools such as
magnifying tech for those who need visual assistance. Narrator and voice over
systems that allow books to be read as well as words highlighted as to assist
in word recognition and pronunciation. Voice recognition systems that allow
students who have writing difficulty get their thoughts out. I have personally
seen the voice recognition aspect do wonders. I taught a Special Day class for
many weeks and I recall one boy whom really was able to communicate himself
utilizing this program. I first hand saw the confidence building as he smiled
when he recorded his story and then had the voice over system read the story he
created to his classmates. They loved the story and he was so very proud. His
eyes could have lit up even the darkest of rooms at that moment.
The
big take away from this article I would say would be the following points;
-Know
you students and asses their needs immediately and frequently.
-Search
and seek out new tools and apps on a regular basis in order to serve your
students in the best manner.
-Understand
the perspective of the IT team and know that there can at times be some
challenges legally and other wise when it comes to adding new programs etc.
-Build
a good relationship with your IT team so that you can serve your students and
be able to add applications quickly without wasted time.
Technology
has it’s drawbacks and at times the movement of technology into schools can be
a slow process. But, it greatly increases the confidence and abilities in those
students who prior to technology had a much more difficult time progressing
academically, socially and emotionally. Be proactive, be innovative, know the
apps and know your students!
References:
Ahrens, K. (2011, November). Building and Assitive Technology Tool Kit. Learning and Leading with Technology, 22-24.
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