Introduction
As teachers, we are given the challenge to create a positive learning environment and experience for students. We need to create this experience for MANY students with DIFFERENT abilities EVERY SINGLE DAY. This is no easy task and nearly impossible for one person to do on their own. This is why assistive technology is an essential part of the educational field. When planning and administering assessments for students with diverse needs, assistive technology can play a pivotal role in improving the learning for ALL our students.
What is assistive technology?
Assistive technology are different tools that help people who have difficulty speaking, typing, writing, remembering, pointing, seeing, hearing, learning, walking, and many other things. Different disabilities require different assistive technologies. Assistive technology is a means to assist someone in accomplishing a task. In the field of education, assistive technology is used to help students in their learning experience. It allows students to have the means and potential to excel in their learning!
Student Needs
The classroom can have students with many different talents and abilities. Some students can have disabilities that are very clearly present, while others can have learning disabilities that are difficult to spot, but still greatly affect the student's learning from day to day. Some disabilities that students have to struggle with are:
- Spoken language—listening and speaking.
- Written language—reading, writing, and spelling.
- Arithmetic—calculation and mathematical concepts.
- Reasoning—organization and integration of ideas and thoughts.
Because of these struggles, assistive technology is a must in the classroom in order to give these students the same potential to learn and thrive as the rest of the students!
Accommodations Using Assistive Technology
Because of the wide variety of learning disabilities and special needs that are present in our students today, there need to be a wide variety of assistive technologies to meet their needs. The following are some of the tools that teachers have to assist their students in their learning.
1. Video magnifier - this tool uses a video camera to project words/images/concepts onto a screen. It can be used to aid in reading, writing, or even examining pictures or videos. Primarily this tool is geared to help students with low vision.
2. Audio Devices - This tool allows notes, assessments, or even lectures to be read out loud to students. This tool aides students who struggle to read, specifically dyslexic students.
3. Talk to Text - this tool allows computers to write down the words that the student speaks. This is an especially helpful tool to students who have special needs that limit their hand movement. It can also be a great way for students with Dysgraphia to communicate their thoughts onto paper. Dictation would be one example of a talk to text tool.
4. Sound Canceling Headphones - helps students with Autism control their emotions and focus on their tasks.
5. Grammarly - Another tool to help both dyslexic and dysgraphic students. It helps peer review papers for mistakes and wording flaws.
6. Google Translate - for students where English is NOT their first language, school can be very difficult. Google translate will translate notes, assessments, and papers to allow the student to understand the information being presented to them.
Conclusion
The list of assistive technologies could go on and on...as they should! The education of our children must be a priority to all. Giving students the tools that they need to succeed and continue in their learning is so important, they are our future after all. Let us not overlook students who have disabilities as "not trying hard enough", but rather strive each day to give them the tools they need to be grow in knowledge and be equipped with the skills needed to function and thrive in the 21st Century.
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