Blog C

My definition for assistive technology is technology that helps students in a classroom and in life. I think a teacher would use assistive technology to reach a student's learning ability. After playing with some materials in the Kalikow center and researching online, I have realized that assistive technology is used to reach a student's learning ability, but also to help them accommodate for everyday needs. A lot of assistive technology available is to help people, so they can get through a day with a voice or so they can have the same resources everybody has. A school needs to have a variety of assistive technology tools available, so all of a student's learning and daily needs are met.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is is a blueprint for teachers to accommodate the variety of learners in one classroom using a wide range of technology offered today. Teachers have to teach a variety of learners in one classroom and cannot use one lesson, assessment, method, or goal to teach every student found inside one one classroom. New research shows that the brain organizes information in three networks: the recognition network gathers facts; the strategic network is how we plan and/or perform asks; and the affective network is where students are engaged and excited. Using these categories UDL created a universal curriculum that has a multiple means of representation, expression, and engagement. Using an UDL based curriculum teachers will be able to reach more students at once.
Section 508 is a federal law that states that agencies must provide their electronic and information technology is accessible to people with disabilities, which includes employees and people of the public. States and schools that receive federal money from the Technology Related Assistance Related Assistance for Individuals are required to follow the Section 508 law. This law relates to me because I need to make sure that the technology I use will be available for all my students. For example, when we type a word document, I would need to a LOMAC so my student who has no use with his/her hands will be able to also type a word document. So, before I decide to do a class activity or lesson I need to make sure some students will not be excluded because they are unable to use the technology in the lesson. I need to make sure my students with disabilities have the same technological resources available to them that my students without disabilities have.
I found some really great technologies at the Kalikow center. The LOMAC would be great for students who do not have use of their hands. A students where a headset that has a laser on it, so when the student moves his/her head so the laser points to a letter the student can type just from pointing to a letter then enter. I would need to offer more time for my student using the LOMAC because when I tried using it I found it to be very time consuming but useful.
I really enjoyed the Start to Finish books that look like chapter books so a student would not be embarrassed at having a lower level book. I like how the student has the actual book in his/her hands while the computer reads and highlights the words of the short versions of classic books. The program also offers worksheets and activity to take the book beyond just the reading. Students can read along while hearing the correct pronunciation, fluency, and what word the reader is on. This tool is so helpful in a classroom.
The Tango in the Kalikow center was amazing. This tool would be amazing for my students who have speech problems from autism to being completely mute. What a cool way for them to have a voice! I like how it had a digital camera so students can have pictures of people they know doing everyday activities. All an adult has to do it program a saying into the little machine, the size is another advantage, and the child will have their own voice for asking if he/she can have a drink. A teacher could have the student make a project on the Tango by taking pictures of how to tie one's shows, then another student, teacher, or adult can program the voice into the machine. Although the Tango costs $7,000, it is worth it to give a child a voice.
I found information about the miniMerc, which is a little computer that students can take anywhere. From the description given on the website I looked at, I thought the miniMerc would be great for students who were mute because the touch screen could let them just push a picture to show what he/she wanted. The miniMerc could have pre-made schedules on it by using boardmaker, so the student could have a certain screen during snack time that might have pictures of the snack, food, or bathroom on it to ask for what he/she wants. I mainly liked this piece of technology so students can have a voice. It must be so irritating to not be able to express what one wants, and with this small device students can tell me what they need to be comfortable.
Overall, I see the use of assistive technology for all my students whether they have a physical or mental handicap or not. I brought home letters that have a magnet ball in them to drag as you write for my three year old nephew, and he played with them forever, but he doesn't have any known handicaps. I understand how important it is for schools to have access to a variety of assistive technology so I can teach all my students and allow them to feel involved in the classroom. The more materials I have access to, the better my students education will be.