Amy Spitzbergaspitzberg@holyfamily.edu

http://aspitzberg.angelfire.com/Educ504: Special Education & Technology

Research TopicPrepared July 23, 2007

Below is a video of the Introduction

Introduction

Table of ContentsTable of Contents

• IntroductionIntroduction

• Summary FindingsSummary Findings

• Detailed FindingsDetailed Findings

• ConclusionsConclusions

• AppendixAppendix

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

• The following information is geared towards technology in special education. The following information is geared towards technology in special education.

• My objective is to inform the reader on how to advance technology in a special My objective is to inform the reader on how to advance technology in a special education setting. education setting.

• When researching special education and technology I came across a very When researching special education and technology I came across a very interesting topic called assistive technology. interesting topic called assistive technology.

• Teachers and schools do not have the appropriate technology because of a lack of Teachers and schools do not have the appropriate technology because of a lack of funding.funding.

• However, when researching technology for special education there were very However, when researching technology for special education there were very inexpensive products that would make huge differences in special needs children. inexpensive products that would make huge differences in special needs children.

• Technology provides a way for special needs children to communicate and advance Technology provides a way for special needs children to communicate and advance their learning on a higher degree.their learning on a higher degree.

• Assistive technology is a way for special education students who are nonverbal to Assistive technology is a way for special education students who are nonverbal to communicate with teachers and other students through other means of communicate with teachers and other students through other means of communication.communication.

Summary FindingsSummary Findings

• At first I thought this topic would be too general and expensive. At first I thought this topic would be too general and expensive.

• However, as soon as I started to research different websites I found a However, as soon as I started to research different websites I found a lot of technology that I have never seen before.lot of technology that I have never seen before.

• Most of the websites were commercial and organizations. Only a Most of the websites were commercial and organizations. Only a couple websites that I researched were education and government couple websites that I researched were education and government websites. websites.

• One organization website that I found interesting is called NASDSE, One organization website that I found interesting is called NASDSE, which stands for National Association of State Directors of Special which stands for National Association of State Directors of Special Education. Education.

• This website so interesting is because each year this association This website so interesting is because each year this association picks up to five states and funds them with special education picks up to five states and funds them with special education personnel. personnel.

Summary FindingsSummary Findings• Most commercials websites that I reviewed had very Most commercials websites that I reviewed had very

interesting lesson plan activities, curriculum and activities interesting lesson plan activities, curriculum and activities to plan with students.to plan with students.

• As for the websites that were organizations most of them As for the websites that were organizations most of them helped teachers and the community with special education helped teachers and the community with special education students. students.

• The government websites that I reviewed had assessments The government websites that I reviewed had assessments and helpful tools to equip special education children. and helpful tools to equip special education children.

• Here are five websites that I handpicked to properly go with Here are five websites that I handpicked to properly go with my research report topic. There are two organizations and my research report topic. There are two organizations and three commercial websites that benefit this paper.three commercial websites that benefit this paper.

Detailed FindingsDetailed Findings• The Alliance for Technology AccessThe Alliance for Technology Access

– ““The Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) is the National Network The Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) is the National Network of Community-Based Resource Centers, Developers, Vendors, and of Community-Based Resource Centers, Developers, Vendors, and Associates dedicated to providing information and support Associates dedicated to providing information and support services to children and adults with disabilities, and increasing services to children and adults with disabilities, and increasing their use of standard, assistive, and information technologies.” their use of standard, assistive, and information technologies.”

– The reason I chose this website as one of my top five is because it The reason I chose this website as one of my top five is because it empowers people of special needs of all ages to take advantage of empowers people of special needs of all ages to take advantage of the technology in their community. the technology in their community.

– The ATA mission is to increase technology within individuals with The ATA mission is to increase technology within individuals with disabilities. disabilities.

– The reason this is so powerful is because it shows that no matter The reason this is so powerful is because it shows that no matter if you are gifted or special needs you need to make your future if you are gifted or special needs you need to make your future dreams a reality. Next, the ATA follows the following principles dreams a reality. Next, the ATA follows the following principles

The Alliance for Technology The Alliance for Technology Access Principles: Access Principles:

       People with disabilities have the right to maximum independence and participation in all environments, without barriers.

·         Technology can be harnessed to diminish or eliminate environmental barriers for people with disabilities.

·         People with disabilities have the right to control and direct their own choices, and the right to access the information they need in order to make informed decisions according to their goals and interests.

·         People with disabilities have the right to employ assistive technologies, strategies for implementation, and necessary training support to maximize their independence and productivity.

The School of Public Health and The School of Public Health and

Health ProfessionsHealth Professions • The school of public health and health profession’sThe school of public health and health profession’s provides information provides information

on assistive technology (AT) used by children with disabilities ages 5-11:on assistive technology (AT) used by children with disabilities ages 5-11:

• Assistive technology is beneficial because if you have students in your Assistive technology is beneficial because if you have students in your classroom that are non-verbal, blind or have specific learning classroom that are non-verbal, blind or have specific learning disabilities, you might have to accommodate teaching to that specific disabilities, you might have to accommodate teaching to that specific population. population.

• This website shows examples of different assistive technology choices. This website shows examples of different assistive technology choices. One particular device is called a DynaMyte, which is a portable One particular device is called a DynaMyte, which is a portable communication device that can be used to communicate with other communication device that can be used to communicate with other individuals. The student points to the particular picture and the device individuals. The student points to the particular picture and the device repeats the message. repeats the message.

• Another example of assistive technology is called a page-turner. A page-Another example of assistive technology is called a page-turner. A page-turner operates by letting the student have free hands so they can solely turner operates by letting the student have free hands so they can solely concentrate on the book. The page turns when the student hits a button.concentrate on the book. The page turns when the student hits a button.

• These are two examples of why this website is so great for teachers and These are two examples of why this website is so great for teachers and administrators. The page-turner and the DynaMyte are both inexpensive administrators. The page-turner and the DynaMyte are both inexpensive devices and both promote independent learning for special education devices and both promote independent learning for special education students. students.

Education World• This particular site is terrific for all teachers, but its This particular site is terrific for all teachers, but its

Special EducationSpecial Education section is great for giving tips and lesson plans section is great for giving tips and lesson plans to special education teachers. to special education teachers.

• The reason this website is particularly valuable to my research The reason this website is particularly valuable to my research topic is because there is an activity called Weird Letters. topic is because there is an activity called Weird Letters.

• Weird Letters is an activity that is geared to help students recall Weird Letters is an activity that is geared to help students recall numbers and letters that don’t look familiar. numbers and letters that don’t look familiar.

• Another useful lesson plan for students with learning disabilities is Another useful lesson plan for students with learning disabilities is to have them read the newspaper. to have them read the newspaper.

• Lastly, the site gives great information on inclusion and Lastly, the site gives great information on inclusion and mainstreaming students into a classroom. mainstreaming students into a classroom.

• Below is a picture of a computer and headphones so that special Below is a picture of a computer and headphones so that special needs students can listen while doing their work. needs students can listen while doing their work.

  

Next UpNext Up• Next Up is a website that provides information about Next Up is a website that provides information about

a software called text aloud that is used in different a software called text aloud that is used in different special education classrooms. special education classrooms.

• A special needs classroom is filled with different A special needs classroom is filled with different learning levels. learning levels.

• To accommodate every individual teachers are now To accommodate every individual teachers are now putting more technology into the special education putting more technology into the special education setting. . setting. .

• This program reads out loud everything that goes on This program reads out loud everything that goes on a computer from opening documents to music. a computer from opening documents to music.

• The reason I chose this website as one of my top The reason I chose this website as one of my top sites is because it empowers students with learning sites is because it empowers students with learning disabilities to become autonomous. disabilities to become autonomous.

• Students with dyslexia, other reading difficulties or Students with dyslexia, other reading difficulties or visual impairments are no different, but for them it visual impairments are no different, but for them it can be very difficult to benefit from the Internet. can be very difficult to benefit from the Internet.

The SEAT Center- The SEAT Center- Special Education Assistive Special Education Assistive

TechnologyTechnology• The SEAT Center focuses on teaching administrators

as well as teachers a hands approach to teaching technology to special education students.

• The Seat Center actually provides training on Assistive Technology, which can drastically change a student’s outlook on education.

• One of the reasons this website is excellent is because you might purchase this new technology but without the skills on how to teach it to students, it will not benefit anyone. Below is the mission of Seat Center:

The SEAT Center- The SEAT Center- Special Education Assistive Special Education Assistive

TechnologyTechnology

• **Center of innovation where knowledge and practices regarding technology are created, integrated and disseminated to present and future primary, secondary and higher education professionals and people with disabilities and their families.

  

• *Center of instructional excellence where students, practicing teachers, and educational professionals can learn and practice technology solutions available for use in school, work and community.

 

• *Center of accessible technology solutions needed by Illinois State students with disabilities to be successful in their university experience.

 

• *State, national and international partner with education and industry in creating and sharing instructional, training, and support resources for educational professionals who are preparing students to be world citizens.

 

ConclusionConclusionIn the future when I become a special education In the future when I become a special education teacher there are certain things that I will be teacher there are certain things that I will be prepared for. prepared for.

• The five websites that are included in this paper are The five websites that are included in this paper are helpful for all special education teachers looking to helpful for all special education teachers looking to advance their technology in the classroom. advance their technology in the classroom.

• Assistive Technology is a great and inexpensive Assistive Technology is a great and inexpensive way to help out children with learning disabilities.way to help out children with learning disabilities.

• Closing remarksClosing remarks

AppendixAppendix

• Following are links to the files Following are links to the files that were used for this report:that were used for this report:

• Internet Address BookInternet Address Book

• Research Excerpts FileResearch Excerpts File

• Research ReportResearch Report

• Assignment OneAssignment One