Using Assistive Technology to Teach Students with Learning

Disabilities

By: Alexis SchoenEduc. 509: Computers in Elementary Education

Lexiann7@aol.com Holy Family University

Summer II 2003 June 28th, 2003

Contents Issues with Learning Disabilities Government Implications Overview Language Arts and Assistive Technology AlphaSmart Story on CD-ROMS Math and Assistive Technology Considerations Closing

Issues with Learning Disabilities academic weaknesses in reading, the

writing process, and mathematics difficulty with communication

procedures, such as, handwriting, spelling, organizational skills, and quality of writing

need clear, concise, and varied instruction

Government Implications Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA):

Federal Register Chapter 34 300-346 (a) (2) (v) states that, "The IEP Team also shall… Consider whether the child requires assistive technology devices and services."

P.L. 101-476, Section 1401 (a) (25), defines assistive technology devices as "any piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of children with disabilities."

Overview provide student’s with diverse

learning styles a chance to learn to their fullest potential

Increase in inclusion classrooms, which equals various abilities

accommodations to assist students to succeed in subject areas.

Overview continued…Rena (1998), offers two purposes to the use of assistive technology. “First, it can augment an individual’s strengths so that his or her abilities counterbalance the effects of any disabilities. Second, technology can provide an alternate

mode of performing a task so that disabilities are

compensated for or bypassed entirely.”

Language Arts Assistive Technology spell checkers speech synthesis (PowerSecretary) word banks (Kid Works 2, My

Words ) grammar checkers (Write This Way) prompting (Writer’s Helper ) webbing (Inspiration , Kidspiration)

AlphaSmart:http://www.alphasmart.com/ simple, portable (Weighing less than 2 lbs ), low

cost (@ $200) computer companion with extraordinary battery life (700 hours on 3 AA alkaline batteries).

allows you to enter and edit text, then send it to any computer for formatting or directly to a printer

designed so that students don't get caught up in the complexities of a computer

Click for Demonstration

Story on CD-ROM Living Books from Broderbund

animated child directs the action with a mouse click younger children can choose the Read-to-

Me mode Discis Books from Discis Knowledge

Research Inc. lesson guide: introduce a variety of

vocabulary, word analysis, and comprehension skills

Math Assistive Technology focus should be placed on programs,

which provide auditory cues or sound, in addition to visual instructions

textbooks are available on CD-ROMs textbook publishers sometimes offer

video taped lessons

Considerations interactive programs available can be

more distracting than engaging, so monitor graphics and complexity

typing instructions needed, which takes time

Downfalls to spell and grammar checkers (Homonyms)

symbols and graphs are not recognized by optical character recognition

Closing

For teachers of students with learning disabilities assistive technology can be a wonderful addition to everyday lessons.

Unfortunately, "Among the more than 10,000 instructional software programs now on the market, it is safe to say that not more than a handful are programs

especially designed to meet the needs of individuals with learning disabilities.

(Rena)"