Diversity in the Classroom and Assistive Technology Teachers in the 21st century are being challenged by the diversity seen in the classroom. With differentiated instruction a main goal for many school districts, it seems impossible to for teachers to meet the educational needs for not only students with disabilities, but for gifted students as well. However, with the rise of technology being used abroad, individualized instruction has become easier to attain. There are many technologies that are being used in the classroom today. With technology, teachers are finding that more content can be covered in a shorter amount of time. Technology not only benefits the students, but it helps students with learning disabilities stay at the same pace as their peers. For technology to work at its best, there are five best practices teachers should know: 1. Technology should be readily accessible 2. Technology is a great tool for differentiation 3. Consider the needs of the students 4. Choose the learning goals of the students 5. Use technology to access to class content through media such as class websites, class Facebook page, and classroom blogs. Resources: Understood. (2014-2016). 8 examples of assistive technologies and adaptive tools. Retrieved from: https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/assistive- technology/assistive-technologies-basics/8-examples-of- assistive-technology-and-adaptive-tools#slide-1 PBS Parents. (2016). Retrieved from: http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/learning- disabilities/strategies-for-learning-disabilities/assistive- technology-devices/ |
FM Listening SystemsFM listening systems are designed to help reduce background noises in the classroom. It also amplifies what the teacher is saying which aids in auditory processing. The teacher wears a microphone that reaches a personal receiver worn by the student.
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Communication DevicesCommunication devices allow a child who can not speak to communicate with others. Accent 1000 is a high tech speech generating device. It is made up with vocabulary words and activities that the user uses everyday. It is easy to use and easily transported from place to place. Other types of communication devices include: picture boards, voice output communication devices, communication software, and computers.
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Audio TechnologyAudio players and recorders are types of audio technology for children who have trouble with reading, reading comprehension, as well as students who are auditory learners. There is also text to speech software as well as etextbooks available to aid in academic success.
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Low Technology Devices
Magnifiers
Magnifiers are used for students with low vision. There different types of magnifiers which include hand-held and standing.
http://www.floridareading.com/vision/magnifiers/handheld.html
Magnifiers are used for students with low vision. There different types of magnifiers which include hand-held and standing.
http://www.floridareading.com/vision/magnifiers/handheld.html
Graphic Organizers
Graphic Organizers help guide learners that are thinking during the writing process.
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/graphicorganizers/
Graphic Organizers help guide learners that are thinking during the writing process.
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/graphicorganizers/
Highlighters
Highlighters are used as study and pre-writing tools to highlight main facts and ideas. http://www.assistivetechnology.vcu.edu/2015/02/17/highlighting-low-tech-at/ |
Pencil Grips
Pencil grips are used for students who struggle with keeping a good grip on their pencil.
www.especialneeds.com/shop/daily-living-aids/handwriting/grips-holders.html
Pencil grips are used for students who struggle with keeping a good grip on their pencil.
www.especialneeds.com/shop/daily-living-aids/handwriting/grips-holders.html
Large Printed Materials
Large printed materials and textbooks are used for students with low vision
http://www.teachingvisuallyimpaired.com/large-print.html
Large printed materials and textbooks are used for students with low vision
http://www.teachingvisuallyimpaired.com/large-print.html
High Technology Devices
Keyboard Alternatives
Alternative keyboards are used for students who have LD or trouble typing. These keyboards can be customized to reduce input choices, group keys by color or location, and add graphics for comprehension.
http://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/alternatives-keyboards
Alternative keyboards are used for students who have LD or trouble typing. These keyboards can be customized to reduce input choices, group keys by color or location, and add graphics for comprehension.
http://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/alternatives-keyboards
Screen Readers
This device is able to read and display the text from a computer screen. This includes texts that have been typed, scanned, or texts from the internet.
http://www.maketecheasier.com/best-screen-readers-for-visually-impaired/
This device is able to read and display the text from a computer screen. This includes texts that have been typed, scanned, or texts from the internet.
http://www.maketecheasier.com/best-screen-readers-for-visually-impaired/
Talking Calculators
Talking calculators reads aloud numbers, symbols, and operation keys and vocalized the answer to the problem.
http://www.afb.org/info/living-with-vision-loss/for-job-seekers/careerconnect-virtual-worksites/retail-worksite-for-blind-users/talking-calculator/12345
Talking calculators reads aloud numbers, symbols, and operation keys and vocalized the answer to the problem.
http://www.afb.org/info/living-with-vision-loss/for-job-seekers/careerconnect-virtual-worksites/retail-worksite-for-blind-users/talking-calculator/12345
Word Prediction Program
Word prediction software helps a user by predicting the words the user intends to type. Helps students who struggle with spelling, grammar, and word choices.
http://www.gpat.org/Georgia-Project-for-Assistive-Technology/Pages/WS-Word-Prediction-Software.aspx
Word prediction software helps a user by predicting the words the user intends to type. Helps students who struggle with spelling, grammar, and word choices.
http://www.gpat.org/Georgia-Project-for-Assistive-Technology/Pages/WS-Word-Prediction-Software.aspx
Speech Recognition Programs
These are programs for students who speak better than they write. The user speaks into a microphone and the test will appear on the computer screen.
http://www.capterra.com/speech-recognition-software/
These are programs for students who speak better than they write. The user speaks into a microphone and the test will appear on the computer screen.
http://www.capterra.com/speech-recognition-software/