Using Technology As A Learning Tool

Session 4 – January 27, 2005

The Role of Technology for Students with Special Needs

Session Overview* Web Site Presentations – Q & A* Assistive Technology

* Guiding questions* Article #06: Assistive Technology: A Student’s Right* The SETT Framework

* Assistive Technology - definitions and services* Assistive Technology - devices and support* Virtual Tour of ACH – available resources (course

website)* A look at a variety of software* Windows Suggestions

Planning

* How does a broader understanding of “technology” in education change the way we plan for and work with children?

Infusion

* To what guiding principle could we adhere in making technology choices and in using technology?

What is Assistive Technology?Topic #2 - Sessions 5, 6 and 7

Assistive technology

* Software or hardware that has been specifically designed to assist people with disabilities in carrying out daily activities.

* This includes:

* wheelchairs

* reading machines

* devices for grasping

Web Access Assistive Technologies?

* Common software-based assistive technologies include:

* screen readers

* screen magnifiers

* speech synthesizers

* voice input software that operate in conjunction with graphical desktop browsers

What is the SETT Framework?

* The SETT Framework is a guideline for gathering data in order to make effective assistive technology decisions.

* The SETT Framework considers first, the STUDENT, the ENVIRONMENT(S) and the TASKS required for active participation in the activities of the environment, and finally, the system of TOOLS needed for the student to address the tasks.

Students, Environment, Tasks and Tools

The SETT Framework

* Which students need Assistive Technology?* What kind of technology is needed?* Who makes the decisions?* How does the SETT Framework compare with

some of your experiences?* What changes at your school or jurisdiction could

improve access to Assistive Technologies?

Hardware Assistive Technologies

* These include:

* alternative keyboards

* pointing devices

"Assistive Technology: A Student's Right”:

Discussion - Based on the criteria for providing assistive technology to students, are the needs of

students in your school being met? Why or why not? What are the signs that the needs may or may not be

being met?

Assistive Technology: A Student’s Right

Uses of Assistive Technology: Positioning

Computer Access

Environmental Control

Augmentative Comm.

Assistive Listening

Visual Aids

CBI Mobility

Self-Care PE

What is Available?

* From the list on the right, choose an assistive technology and determine the type of child / student that would find the product useful. Perform a search using the Internet to find out the price and availability.

* Screen reader

* Screen magnifier

* Braille display

* Sonar Vision Glasses

* Slo - Mo

* Auggy-Comm Jr.

* Cross Scanner

* SmartClick

* IntelliKeys

* Magic Touch Screen

You have 15 minutes. Please step out of the session while you are doing this exercise.

Virtual Tour of ACH – Calgary

* www.ucalgary.ca/~dgwhite/virtual.htm

A Look at Software* Productivity Tools

* Office 2000 / XP Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Access)* Claris (AppleWorks)

* Multi-media

* Kid Pix (Mac/PC)* Media-smart (Mac) / Avid cinema (PC)* Hyperstudio (Mac)/ PowerPoint (PC)* iMovie (Mac) / Adobe Premier / Microsoft MovieMaker

Also referred to as “foundation software”. This is software tools that support the expression of ideas. Foundation software can be used across all subject and curriculum areas.

Software Categories

Software Categories: Reference Collections

Drill and Practice

Integrated Learning Systems

Online Communications

Classroom Management

Simulation

Authoring Tools

My Recommendation:

Once a school has a basic collection of foundation software they can begin shopping for other types of software. It's useful to

know what types of software are available.

In K-6 setting, it is suggested that a keyboarding program be purchased following the foundation software.

Reference Collections

* Supplements traditional reference materials

* Includes electronic...

* dictionaries

* encyclopedias

* thesaurus

* atlases

* Software that provide new ways for students to access information.

* Movies, sound, animation, and photographs are often incorporated

* Sample titles in this category include:

* Grolier's Multimedia Encyclopedia

* Encarta

* Range from $25 to $200.

Drill and Practice

* Practice and repetition in specific skill areas

* Scope limited to one area such as basic math facts, or recognition of three letter sound symbol combinations.

* Sample titles in this category include:

* Math Blaster

* Reader Rabbit

* Number Muncher

* Type To Learn

* The most popular type of software found in schools and homes

* Games are generally used as positive reinforcement with this software

* Range from $0 to $50

Integrated Learning Systems (ILS)

* Much broader scope of skill practice and reinforcement.

* ILS systems generally provide a pre test and base subsequent "lessons" on student performance

* Individualized student reports are often available

* More elaborate systems combine audio instruction with visual and kinesthetic activities, the range of lessons, and number of workstations it is loaded on.

* Sample titles in this category include:

* Success Maker

* Jostens Learning Curricula

* SkillsBank

* Costs for this type of software range from $500 to many thousands of dollars depending on the manufacturer

Online Communications

* Software that supports communication between a local computer and others anywhere else in the world

* Communication may involve email, access to the World Wide Web, or interchanges with an electronic bulletin board system.

* Sample titles in category include:

* Eudora

* Netscape Navigator

* NewsWatcher

* TurboGopher

* Costs for this type of software range from $0 to $75.

Classroom Management

* Known as "teacher tools"

* Supports the everyday work of educators

* Electronic grade books, test question databases, activity sheet makers, test scanners, and presentation tools are included here.

* Sample titles include:* MicroGrade* Word Search Creator* Teacher's Toolbox* www.thinkwave.com/

* Range from $0 to $200.

Simulation

* Promotes "virtual reality" types of experience

* Activities that may be either dangerous, costly, and/or inaccessible

* Learners are encouraged to make decisions, experiment, and understand the consequences of choices.

* Sample titles include:

* Myst

* Oregon Trail

* Science Sleuths

* Costs for this type of software range from $25 to $500

Authoring Tools

* Expanding "Foundation Software" beyond writing applications

* Includes

* word processors

* databases

* spreadsheets

* multimedia authoring tools

* graphics programs and the like

* concept mapping

* Sample titles include:

* Microsoft Word (Office Suite)

* Word

* PowerPoint

* Excel

* Access

* AppleWorks

* KidPix

* Range from $25 to $200.

http://www.superkids.com/aweb/pages/reviews/writing/1/inspirat/merge.shtml

E-mail

* “Keypals” - example: www.cbemail.ca* student to student* teacher to teacher using attachments

Something they could do before…but with Something they could do before…but with faster results!faster results!

How Can Computer Software Benefit Teachers

Brainstorm:

How Can Computer Software Benefit the Students?

* enrichment / enhancement

* remediation

* tutorial

* drill and practice (special needs)

* reward

* communication (writing/speaking)

Benefits for students...

* productivity (word processing, database, spreadsheet)

* research (Internet, Encarta)* creativity (music, art)* publishing (page layout)* presentation (slides, multimedia)* collaboration (email, sharing of information

between schools/students)

Benefits for students...

* collection of data (scientific probes)* computer assisted instruction* game/educational game* problem solving* utility/teacher utility* authoring* testing

Selecting Software

* Decide how the software is to be used

* Develop a baseline for comparison - start a pro’s and con’s sheet

* Educational Content - see today’s links

* Presentation

* User Friendliness

* Record keeping and management built in

* Student fit

Software Licensing Agreements

* Single user* lab pack* site license* district license

System Requirements

* 8 MB (mega-bites)

* 16 MB

* 32 MB

* 64 MB

Software Search Exercise(20 min.)

* K-6 Teachers

* Link: www.superkids.com

* K-12 Teachers

* Link: http://www.edmark.com/prod/

Exercise:Exercise:

A surplus has been discovered in your Technology budget. Your principal has approached you to select a software program of your choosing that would be appropriate for the grade / ability of the students in your care. Using one or all of the above suggested software sites, chose a piece of software and be prepared to give reasons why this piece of software should be purchased .

Web Quests

Application Sharing

I will be handing some of you a microphone, this will enable you to control how the web

site is viewed by the rest of us.

We’ll be visiting:http://www.memphis-schools.k12.tn.us/admin/tlapages/web_que.htm

Kid Pix - Why?

Comes highly recommended for K-6!

* I would probably start with a program called KidPix. People think of it as an art program but because it can draw so many shapes and can incorporate text it can be used to create word problems and depict the problem situation.

* It's pretty open ended and you can structure it for kids that need a little more direction.

* Kids can put together drawings and then have them replayed in a particular order to represent their ideas.

* Great for patterning activities using the "stamps."

Backgrounds

Stickers

Animated Stickers

Sounds

Command ButtonsKid Pix Paint Zone

Word Activities

Examples: http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~dgwhite/mathandtech.html