Assistive Technology In Special Education

In the Overview of Assistive Technology and Implementation Video by Margina Busby, she gives a lecture on what assistive technology is and how it can be used in the classroom. I learned that assistive technology is “any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized that is used to increase, maintain, or improve capabilities of individuals with disabilities.” Some examples of assisted technology are calculators, pencil grips, pocket dictionaries, communication systems (with or without voice output), adapted textbooks, and modified utensils. It is interesting to see all of the different forms of assistive technology that can be used in the classroom. I am currently taking a class

In this artifact, I researched for alternative technological tool(see Assistive technology.doc) for students with disabilities to represent how technology could be a great assistance for them. This assignment represents how technology could be used by all students no matter what they need. Therefore, in this assignment, I looked for tools and ways to implement access to technology resources for students who have neuromuscular difficulties, and/or difficulties of counting with her finger to show that there are varieties of technological tool for all the needs.

Schools use many different strategies to help students receiving Special Education services in order to succeed in general education settings. Some of the strategies are assistive technology and modifications (“Understanding”). Assistive technology is any type of software, equipment, or system that can be used to improve the education of a special needs student. Modifications are lessons or sources that are changed to meet the level of needs for each student. Each student has different needs, ability levels, learning methods, and how they understand what they are being taught. Different instructions and individual teaching methods are needed for each student. This is another different, sometimes difficult, task Special Education teachers have to do compared to General Education teachers. It is harder in multiage classrooms (Ferry). Teacher may also have to use special software to create lesson plans and IEP’s. Technology is becoming a huge part in teaching special needs students. Soon, the education field will have more than the strategies they do now.

The summary of this article is to look at using technology and how it can help students with disabilities to enhance and improve their independence in academic and employment responsibilities, their participation in classroom discussions, along with helping them to accomplish some difficult academic tasks. This article discusses the role and benefits of using assistive technology in the Universal Design for Learning (UDL), in academic skills, and in transition services. The article summarizes the important principles that are needed to be considered in the incorporation of technology in educating or training students with

Assistive technology solutions were discussed in the areas of reading comprehension, typing skills, note taking, math, time management, and physical

Assistive technology can help alter the way students with disabilities learn in the classroom and how their work is completed. Educators can also benefit from technology by creating individualized lesson plans and learning about the different apps that could help their students. According to the reading “Teachers will need increased skills to select appropriate software, effectively integrate technology into the curriculum, and devise ways of assessing student work based on potentially complex individual and group projects” (PCAST,1997). The book also states that assistive technology “will continue to impact the emergence and refinement of instruction that involves the use of instructional and assistive technology to improve educational outcomes attained by students with disabilities (p221,2003). Assistive technology in the classroom has allowed for students frustration levels to become lowered and allows these individuals to reach their strengths while modifying their work in order to reach

One of the courses the Special Needs Educational Assistant (SNEA) program has for the fall term is the assistive and adaptive technology class. Throughout the course, I learned the kinds of assistive technology (AT)- low tech, mid tech, and high tech- commonly used by students who have special needs. Moreover, we even had the chance to review several apps and the featured accessibilities of Windows and Mac, which are fully relevant and beneficial to students. Also, we had a tour at the iCan Center at Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, which is a refreshing and eye-opening experience as we get to practice how to use some of the AT, which we only get to discuss in class. As the term ends, I can say that my knowledge and skills in technology

When thinking about assistive technology (AT) we are usually thinking about some device that helps students with disabilities. AT is more than that, a tool, software, piece of equipment or service. Appropriate AT helps student with disability work around his challenges in performing tasks using their abilities in order to meet their IEP goals in least restrictive environment accessing common core curriculum. It is very important for student with disability not only to have a device but also to have the support and services on how to use to the device and how device could be best adopted to their needs. IEP team is responsible for considering AT for all students with disabilities and that is individualized process. If needed school district

Technology has come a long way for both leisure purposes and essentials for life. But technology is necessary for people with disabilities to even think about having a normal life. Assistive technology is the key factor for people with disabilities because without it they would not even have a chance at a normal life. Assistive technology has come a long way and will continue to try and help more people in the future, but assistive technology still has a long way to go before people with disabilities can have a normal life

The use of technology in educating children with special needs has widely grown in the past few decades. Individuals with special needs are unique and all have different areas in which they need assistance. Due to the advancements in assistive technology, computer programs, software, and other technology tools, it has become much easier for people to find useful and easier ways to become educated. Because of this, “technology has changed the way people with disabilities live, work, and learn.” (Winzer,98)

The purpose of this study is to show that technology assistive can improve and advance young children with or without special needs. Technology has advance through the years and all children are more interest in learning skills with technology devices. My action research project has four children the majority are two to nine year of age that can benefit for technologies in tasks at school and home with and without special needs. The technologies assist can be more creativity, innovation, communication, collaboration, research, and information fluency with learning and teaching young children that allow them to take focus and listening to the tasks. It can prove for the great beneficial in achieving and giving knowledge of their future goals.

When I think of assistive technology, I think of leveling the field for all students, but does that mean that students with disabilities now have an unfair advantage over students without? Students with disabilities are already behind compared to students that are not disabled. They may not be able to comprehend on the same level as their peers, and learning can sometimes seem like an impossible feat, but with assistive technology, we give these students a way to learn that is more catered to them. As Understood stated, assistive technology can allow students set and meet high goals (Understood, 2014). Those goals some never thought they would meet are now in their reach.

The use of technology in educating children with special needs has widely grown in the past few decades, and has since has changed the way people with disabilities live, work, and learn” (Winzer, 2002, p. 98). Individuals with special needs are unique and all have different areas in which they need assistance. Due to the advancements in assistive technology, computer programs, software, and other technology tools, have helped people to find useful and easier ways to become educated.

There are many different technological tools available to help disabled students be involved and interact in the classroom, as well as learn at their own pace using computer assistance tools. These tools help the teacher by making it easier to communicate with the student and help the student by helping them fit in and learn at a similar pace as the rest of the class.

A world without technology seems ridiculous now a days. Although there are many cons associated with technology there are many pros. Not only does is help students with school but it helps students of special needs in school and with their daily activities. Former psychologist, Mark Bowers said, “The app is designed for a slightly older audience for whom social interaction disabilities are a particular concern” (Dean 6). Many kids with such disabilities like down syndrome are more capable of doing day to day activities through technology than without. Technology is the only source that can help kids with disabilities through their daily tasks. My opponent argues that the best way for kids in special ed to learn is to bring out their strength, “Before they even come in your classroom find out about your students’ strengths and abilities” (Armstrong 1). Even though a challenge is good, it limits them because we of the innovations that have been made to help people do things faster. Technology is very useful for students to learn but that is not the only thing it is useful for. It also helps them in social environments.