Transcript Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology
Or is it Educational Technology?
Presenters
Kasie Hamman, General Education Teacher
Sean Kugler, Assistive Technology Specialist
Laura Leff-Allen, Special Education Teacher
Amy Ronn, Special Education Teacher
Valerie West, Occupational Therapist
Linda Wilkins, Speech Language Pathologist
Definition
The term assistive technology device means any
"item, 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 a
child with a disability. The term does not include
a medical device that is surgically implanted, or
the replacement of that device."[20 USCS
§1401(1)(2)34 C.F.R. 300.5].
IDEA Statute: Title I/A/Section 602
The Continuum of Technology
Assistive
Technology
No/Low Tech
Mid Tech
Simple
Some Maintenance
Little Maintenance
Some Training
Complex
Electronics
More Electronics
More Training
Limited or no
electronics
High Tech
More Maintenance
Why Use Assistive
Technology?
 IDEA 1988 was the first time that IDEA governed
the provision of AT
 Provides students with another way to access
materials
 May motivate some students more so than only
using traditional means
 May help the teacher distribute their
time/workload
Identify the Skill, not
the Technology
 When thinking about how best to implement
technology, it is necessary to determine what skill
the student needs support in.
 After the skill has been identified, the appropriate
technology can be identified as well.
 ADE has created a tool to assist teachers in properly
identifying both the skill and the technology options
to support that skill.
Examples of Assistive
Technology
Consideration Guide
We will train staff on the guide.
Breaking Down the Guide
The Guide specifically addresses:
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Reading
Writing
Spelling
Math
Listening
Oral Communication
Activities of Daily Living
Recreation and Leisure
Prevocational and Vocational
Seating, Positioning and Mobility
Tasks
What you want the students to do
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Identify letters in isolation and sequence
Recognize/read name
Read basic/primer sight words
Comprehend age/grade appropriate reading materials
Read material from a worksheet with comprehension
Answer literal questions regarding materials
Standard Tools
How the lesson is traditionally presented and
carried out.
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Worksheets
Textbooks
Workbooks
Presentation software
Websites
Printed testing materials
Accommodations
Adjustments to the lesson to meet a student’s
individual needs:
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Increased time
Color code to emphasize key points (highlight)
Adding color background for student with visual needs
Adjusting the way things are printed
 Spacing for letters or lines
 Size
 Color
 Font
Modifications
Changing a lesson for student compared to the
rest of the class to meet a student’s individual
needs:
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Partnered reading
Using High-interest, low-reading level materials
Increased time to complete assignment
Decrease length of assignment
Simplify complexity of Text
Color code to emphasize key points (highlight)
Customize the vocabulary list
Use symbol-supported text
AT Solutions
The items used to help the students achieve the
lesson goals. These will vary depending on the
lesson.
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Slant boards
Overlays
Audio books
E-readers or E-text
Text-to-speech software
Screen readers
Mobile devices with a variety of applications
Speech-to-text software
Exploring A Lesson
• Math
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Task:
Standard Tools:
Accommodations:
Modifications:
AT Solutions:
Exploring A Lesson
• Cherry Blossom Festival
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Task:
Standard Tools:
Accommodations:
Modifications:
AT Solutions:
Exploring A Lesson
• Christmas
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Task:
Standard Tools:
Accommodations:
Modifications:
AT Solutions: