Technology can be the great equalizer in a classroom with diverse learners. Whereas teachers can find it difficult to differentiate instruction for more than students in one class, all with different needs and abilities, “assistive technology” (devices and software to assist students with disabilities) can often help teachers personalize lessons and skills enhancement to each child.
Children with learning disabilities often have better technology skills than their teachers and are drawn to computers and other gadgets, so using them in the classroom makes perfect sense. For children with physical disabilities, technology can give access to learning opportunities previously closed to them. E-readers help students turn book pages without applying dexterity, and voice adaptive software can help students answer questions without needing to write.
Computers are engaging and more advanced than the typical modified lesson allows. The widely-used teacher education textbook Educating Exceptional Children has a special section in each chapter focused on assistive technology explaining how it is used with exceptionalities ranging from giftedness to autism.
Assistive technology is not always just for students with disabilities; it can be used to help any student with motivation, academic skills, and social development. Here are some helpful resources for teachers looking for assistive technology for their students:
- UNC’s Center for Literacy and Disability Studies uses technology in their mission to promote literacy and communication for individuals of all ages with disabilities. The Center has developed a three-part video on reading assessment and assistive technology that explains evidence-based practices of improving literacy through technology. Additionally, the Center has developed “alternative pencils” for students with disabilities who cannot hold a traditional pencil or see a page, including children with deaf-blindness. These technologies include alphabet eye gaze frames allowing children to “point” to letters with their eyes, onscreen keyboards that are controlled by switches, and electronic flipcharts.
LEARN NC offers an extensive set of resources to help teachers meet the needs of all learners, including “Reaching Every Learner: Differentiating Instruction in Theory and Practice,” a series of articles and web conferences about differentiation. In addition, LEARN NC’stechnology integration page provides links to web resources, lesson plans, articles, and online courses designed to help educators incorporate technology into their teaching
VoiceThread is a free software program that captures student voices and photos in order to collaborate on a topic.
It is a technological substitute for written papers and allows students freedom to narrate their own projects.
Sounding Board is an iPad/iPod Touch app that lets a student turn their device into a story board communicator. Students with writing disabilities and communication disorders can use the symbols to create their own messages in the same way that traditional symbol boards work, but easily and with a limitless supply of symbols.
- TechMatrix offers consumer guides and links to software and assistive technology devices for students with disabilities.
The site is sponsored by the National Center for Technology Innovation and the Center for Implementing Technology in Education. TechMatrix gives information and links to resources for teaching science, math, reading, and writing using technology with special education students.
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