Assistive Technology Assists Students with Disabilities Michael O’ Leary is like any other student at Charlotte Wood Middle School in Danville, California. He has fun participating in classroom art projects, enjoys researching for and writing essays, and earns good grades. The only thing that sets Michael apart from other classmates is his severe physical disability: Michael has cerebral palsy, a disorder which impairs both bodily and cognitive abilities. However, because of the emerging technology being implemented into elementary, intermediate, and high school classrooms, disability no longer has to be a factor in the positive academic development of a child (Hayes, Heather B.). Technology in classrooms is a particularly controversial …show more content…
By the early 2000s, however, both classroom computer programs and online schooling became the popular means of providing quality education (“Technology and Education”). As technology becomes a more and more prevalent addition to classrooms today, the debate on whether technology is effective continues. Educational institutions, ranging from elementary schools to universities, are implementing online lessons, interactive computer programs, and computers into the everyday classroom environment. As technological development continues, researchers discover more and more ways to apply technology to the benefit of every type of student. Technology is not only positively changing the way students learn and research, but is additionally allowing students who were previously unintegrated into the mainstream classroom to not only join in, but also excel both socially and academically. Currently, students with disabilities are not receiving an adequate academic and social education. In January of 2017, the Supreme Court considered whether “federal law requires public schools to provide more than the bare minimum in special services for children with disabilities” (Supreme Court). Though the topic falls somewhat outside the margin of regular conversation, the countless examples of data which state that children with disabilities are not receiving the same educational experience as other children are must
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEIA) mandates that “to the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities, including children in public or private institutions or other care facilities, are educated with children who are not disabled”, and stipulates that “special classes, separate schools, or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability of a child is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily” (IDEIA, P.L. 108-446 [Sec. 612 (a)(5)(A)], 2004). Likewise, the No Child Left
In the early 1970’s parents of students with disabilities went to federal court when their local school districts did not provide services to meet their children’s educational needs. In Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Citizens (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (1971), a Pennsylvania court ruled that all children, regardless of disability, have a basic right to an education under the Fourteenth Amendment. In Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia (1972), a federal court ruled that the District of Columbia schools could not exclude children with disabilities from the public schools. Cases like this focused public attention on the issue of educating children with disabilities. The social and political pressure then resulted in landmark federal legislation to address the educational rights of these children.
The author of the article “Benefits of Technology in the Classroom” is, Janelle cox an educational writer, who has 15 years of professional experience and knowledge in the education system in the online learning environment. As a trained educational professional, she uses her experience and knowledge to provide creative and original writing in the field of education.The authors main idea in this article is that technology is moving through the 21st century classroom and becoming more and more predominant, this widespread of technology has completely changed how teachers teach and students learn. Educators also recognize the importance of developing these technological skills in students so they will be prepared to enter the workforce once they
Incorporating technology in the classroom is a leading trend among educators in the 21st century. Teacher use classroom websites, technology tools, and online web assessments to keep parents and students informed, improve instruction, and individualize learning. Using technology to support communication helps keep both students and parents informed on what is happening in the classroom and the students’ academic progress. Integrating technology in the classroom helps increase student engagement and participation. Students use technology tools to help reinforce instruction and teachers may use it as a form of remediation. Technology can also help with differentiating instruction with the use of online assessments. Incorporating technology in the classroom can increase students’ success in the classroom and beyond.
It seems that technology is growing, improving, and changing at an exponential rate. Technology now affects every part of our lives from the time we get up to the time we go to bed, and even as we sleep. One of the major areas that has been affected by technology is education. At one time, the only option for students to complete their education was in a traditional classroom setting. There has become a major need for non-traditional education because there has been a growth in the amount of non-traditional students that exist in our society. The advancement of technology has
For most of our nation's history, children with special needs or disabilities were shunted aside. In spite of mandated education laws that had been in place since 1918, many students were denied education and
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)
Technology in the classroom is important for teachers, parents, and students alike, because technology use has become a necessary skill for survival in today’s vastly expanding technology driven global economy. Research has shown an increase in student’s success rates when exposed to technology in the classroom. Also technology has opened lines of communication between educators and parents to keep students on track, and help teachers educate better.
Not many people would argue that by increasing the availability of technology in education is a bad thing. There is, however, a serious and thought provoking debate going on regarding the use of technology in the classroom. Some issues are whether technology should be integrated in the classroom as a learning tool, how will students be affected in lower socioeconomic status, and it will improve academic performance.
Based on over a decade of research regarding the benefits of technology integration in today 's classroom, there is overwhelming evidence that supports the use of technology to raise student achievement. This paper addresses that question by describing several of the benefits that technology brings to education including improvement in student achievement on tests, the benefits for students who have special needs and who are at-risk, improved attitudes towards learning, individualized learning, and the role of technology in acting as a catalyst for change in school pedagogy. Our society is increasingly dependent on technology and our schools need to prepare students who are competent in technology. One way to ensure the success of learners is to effectively integrate technology into the curriculum. In order to do
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.
Technology is everywhere, it is involved in almost every part of our culture. It affects how we live, work, play, and most importantly learn. With technology being such a fundamental part of our lives and growing each day, it only makes sense that schools incorporate technology in the classrooms. Even though many people support the use of technology in schools, there are those that have concerns about the effectiveness of technology and whether or not it undermines education to solely prepare students for the workforce. Despite the concerns, technology is being integrated with classroom lessons daily, and proving how beneficial it is for student success.
The importance of education for all children, especially for those with disability and with limited social and economic opportunities, is indisputable. Indeed, the special education system allowed children with disability increased access to public education. Apart from that, the special education system has provided for them an effective framework for their education, and for the institutions involved to identify children with disability sooner. In turn, this promotes greater inclusion of children with disability alongside their nondisabled peers. In spite of these advances however, many obstacles remain, including delays in providing services for children with disability, as well as regulatory and
As we navigate through the 21st century, technology in the classroom is becoming further predominant. iPads are replacing our textbooks, and we can research any desired topic on our smartphones. The impact that technology has had on today’s schools has been utterly momentous. Educators have now seen firsthand the numerous benefits of technology in the classroom. According to a study by IT Trade Association CompTIA, around 75 percent of educators have come to the conclusion that technology has a positive impact on the education process. Educators have also recognized the significance of developing these technological skills in students so they will be prepared to enter the workforce after they graduate (Cox). By incorporating technology in the classroom, teachers are setting our students up for a successful life outside of school. The increase of technology has even changed how teachers teach along with how
Across the U.S., technology used in education has been increasing exponentially. Every learning institution ranging from elementary school to college have incorporated technology into their teachings. Online textbooks, quizzes, notes, and classes are all examples of how education has been utilizing technology. While technology has a place in education, not everything in education needs to involve technology.