Assistive Technology

 

This week in IT 365, we learned about assistive technology. This is important because as a teacher, we have to modify our lessons for students with disabilities. Learning disabilities do not go away with time. However, assistive technology can help children with learning disabilities weight their strengths and work around for specific learning problems. These supports can be key for helping users become more independent in school and throughout life.
The use of technology to enhance learning is an effective approach for many children. Additionally, students with learning disabilities often experience more success when they are allowed to use their abilities to work around their disabilities. Assistive technology tools combine the best of both of these! Assistive technology can address many types of learning difficulties. A student who has difficulty writing can do a school report by dictating it and having it converted to text by special software. A child who struggles with math can use a hand-held calculator to keep score while playing a game with a friend. An older student with dyslexia may benefit from the assistive technology by being able to read aloud his employer's online training manual. All of this will be very helpful when I am a teacher. Assistive technology ties into the NETS second standard; Communication and collaboration. This is where students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.

https://docs.google.com/a/eagles.usm.edu/presentation/d/1tf4nXmeLJEr1yPzjJLW6X7vza0v39d7njaeHZJx34S8/edit