Assistive Technology Amazes Me!

Technology in the classroom helps the teacher to incorporate all students into their lesson plans. It allows them to accommodate for different abilities and learning styles and allows the teacher some flexibility in creating methods of teaching. Universal Design is a way to incorporate all students, regardless of ability, into the classroom activities and learning. It is a blueprint that allows teachers to accommodate a variety of learning abilities. Universal Design was made so that it can be used by all students, rather than just by those with disabilities. It ensures that the teacher has multiples means of representation, expression, and engagement. It makes it easier for the teacher to include everyone and gets rid of the need to have separate plans for various students.

Section 508 is an amendment to the Rehabilitation Act that ensures that anyone with a disability has access to electronic and information technology provided by the Federal government. It allows people with disabilities to obtain information more readily and helps give equal opportunities to all people, regardless of ability. In other words, Section 508 gives everyone access to the websites provided by Federal agencies. Schools too must give equal opportunities for students with disabilities. One way to ensure these equal opportunities is by using assistive technology. Assistive technology is an extremely important tool for the classroom. It helps reach out to all students. Technology used in the classroom, just like Section 508, gives access to resources by all students. For instance, the LOMAK (Laser Operated Mouse and Keyboard) device is an aid to typing that allows students with physical disabilities to type on the computer using a laser. They can wear the laser on a head set, or attach it to their chest, and then point it at a keyboard. Although LOMAK is time consuming, it allows all students to be able to use computers. It can be used by students who have cerebral palsy, muscular atrophy or dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, or even by students with hand injuries.

Start to finish books are another excellent technology aid to have in any classroom. They have a CD and tape that allow a student with a visual disability to hear the story being read. It also has a computer program that highlights the words as it is read so that a student can follow along. It is great for students who are struggling with reading or even for students who are just learning the English language. The books also come with a teacher resource that includes worksheets for the student. The large print in chapter book format also allows the student to feel comfortable because they are still reading the same size books as their peers.

Go Talk 9 is another useful item to have in the classroom. It is a portable device that aids communication by using recorded messages and pictures. It aid students with limited speech abilities. The device can also be used with students who have autism. It allows them to communicate while also learning how to say the words. Another interesting device I found was the Text to Speech Device (TTS) from http://www.microsoft.com/enable/at/types.aspx . It is a device that converts someone’s speech into writing and then it reads it back to them. It can be used by students with visual disabilities or by students who are less vocal. It helps them communicate with the outside world through typing.

Although many assistive technology devices are expensive, they are a great addition to any classroom. They allow the teacher to reach out to all their students and make sure that they are receiving equal opportunities to learn. I had no idea how many different devices there were and the numbers will continue to grow. I was amazed at all the different ways you can accommodate for different abilities!

Science Unit

I am going to do a topic on pollution and recycling. Here are some ideas for incorporating technology into the lesson plans:

1. I could have the students make a podcast about how pollution hurts the environment. They could pretend to do an interview with an animal that is affected by pollution. For example, the students could interview a duck who has to swim around all the trash in the water, or they could be a bird that can't breath in the smoke!

2. The students could make a project using FRAMES about the different ways to recycle- glass, paper, plastic. They could take pictures of different recyclable items and add text to say where they should be recycled. They could add music or their own audio to say why recycling helps clean up the environment.

3. The students could use Kidspiration to make a brainstorming web about the different types of pollution- land, air, and water. Then they could make webs of each type, showing some of the causes (factory smoke, trash, oil spills, etc) and some of the animals that it may affect. I might use this in my unit, but not as the final project.

4. The students could post blogs about things they see in their everyday lives that have to do with the environment. Perhaps they saw someone litter on the way to school, maybe they saw trash floating in a lake, or they could have seen someone pick trash off the ground and throw it away properly. The students could describe how each action made them feel.

5. The students could make a book as a class, using Pixie, to describe why pollution is bad for the environment and what they can do to help. Each student can create their own drawing and add text. Then the pages will be compiled into the “Classroom’s Environment Book”. I will do this for my unit.