ET 506- Exploration of Assistive Technology

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Exploration of Assistive Technology

description

Use of Assistive Technology in the classroom with students on IEP'S.

Transcript of ET 506- Exploration of Assistive Technology

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Exploration of Assistive Technology

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Legal DefinitionsAssistive Technology Devices

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law enacted in 1990 and reauthorized in 1997 and 2004. In Section 300.5, it states, “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 the functional capabilities of children with disabilities.” (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1401(1))

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Legal DefinitionsAssistive Technology Services

In IDEA Section 300.6, it states , “Assistive technology service means any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.” (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1401(2))

This term includes:• The evaluation of the needs of a child with a disability• Purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology

devices• Selecting, Designing, Fitting, Customizing, Adapting assistive technology devices• Maintaining, Repairing, or replacing assistive technology devices• Coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology

devices• Training or technical assistance for a child with a disability or, if appropriate, that child's

family• Training or technical assistance for professionals

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IDEA Facts• Almost 30 years of research and experience has demonstrated that the education of children

with disabilities can be made more effective by supporting the development and use of technology, including assistive technology devices and assistive technology services, to maximize accessibility for children with disabilities. (Section 601 (H)).

• To support the use of technology, including technology with universal design principles and assistive technology devices, to maximize accessibility to the general education curriculum for children with disabilities. (Section 611 (v)).

• Encouraging and supporting the training of special education and regular education teachers and administrators to effectively use and integrate technology into curricula and instruction, including training to improve the ability to collect, manage, and analyze data to improve teaching, decisionmaking, school improvement efforts, and accountability. (Section 654 (2)).

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IEPS and AT

• The IEP team must consider whether the child needs assistive technology devices and services. (Section 614 (B)).

• Students receive assistive technology through their IEP.

• If assistive technology is suggested through the IEP, the school must provide a student with it according to the law.

• Multiple perspectives from a number of disciplines will ensure that the needs of the student will be addressed and services are provided across all school environments.

• Members of the team may include the following: Student, Parent(s), Assistive Technology Specialist, Intervention Specialist, Regular Education Teacher, Special Education Coordinator, Occupational Therapist, Speech and Language Pathologist, Physical Therapist, School Psychologist and Classroom Assistant(s).

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Assistive Technology ContinuumA continuum of tools and strategies that match a student’s needs and abilities.

They are used to improve or increase functional capabilities of our students.Assistive technology devices and services help individuals with disabilities:See, hear, communicate, read, write use a computer, study and remember.

Low Tech Tools• Pencil grips• Highlighters, tape• Slant board• Magnifiers• Color coding• Picture

communication• Sign Language• Reading and writing

guides• Enlarged worksheets• Adapted books• Finger spacers

Mid Tech Tools• Books on tape• Word processor• Adapted keyboard• Adapted mouse• E-books• Talking spell checker,

dictionary• Adaptive eating

utensils• Adaptive scissors

High Tech Tools• Computer• Smartphones• Smartpens• Switch, joystick access• Augmentative

communication devices• Scanning access• Environmental control

devices• Voice recognition• iPads• iPods

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AT and InclusionWhy Assistive Technology?• Increases independence• Increases productivity• Promotes self esteem• Enhances performance• Improves quality of life• Helps students with disabilities

learn material at a level they understand

• Eliminates barriers students may face that prevent them from being at the same level as their peers

What does Assistive Technology Provide Access to in the Curriculum?• Motor aspect of writing• Communication• Composing written work• Reading• Math• Activities of daily living• Positioning• Learning and studying• Organization• Needs of students with deficits in

hearing or vision• Physical access to classroom tools

and computers

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Types of AT in the ClassroomAT Category- ReadingExamples-• Read the Words www.readthewords.com Converts anything to speech.• Book share www.bookshare.org Accessible books and periodicals for readers.• Read Outloud: Don Johnston

http://www.donjohnston.com/products/read_outloud/

Provides access to electronic books.

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Explore Assistive Technology Access to Reading in the Lab for 20 Minutes

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Types of AT in the Classroom

Type of AT Category- WritingExamples-• https://bubbl.us/ Brainstorming online• Kidspiration http://www.inspiration.com/Kidspiration Strengthen Writing skills• Custom Typing www.customtyping.com Learn to type online

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Explore Assistive Technology Access to Writing in the Lab for 20 Minutes

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Types of AT in the ClassroomType of AT Category- Reading and WritingExamples-• Word Talk http://www.wordtalk.org.uk/Home/ A free text-to-speech plugin• Exploratree http://www.exploratree.org.uk/ Online library of thinking guides• Read and Write Gold www.mayer-johnson.com Provides reading and writing support for students• Classroom Suite www.store.cambiullearning.com Software intervention tool to help students achieve mastery mastery in reading and writing.• Dragon Naturally Speaking www.nuance.com Control your PC by talking into it

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Reading and Writing Devices• Neo (www.alphasmart.com)• Livescribe Smart Pen (www.livescribe.com)• iPad (www.apple.com)• iPod www.apple.com)

Explore Assistive Technology Access and Devices to Reading and Writing in the Lab for 30 minutes

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Assistive Technology SolutionsOnline

Online Resources- Literacy• Tar Heel Reader (www.tarheelreader.org)• Tumble books (www.tumblebooks.com)• Story Place (www.storyplace.org)• Star Fall (www.starfall.com)• Magic Keys (www.magickeys.com)• Woodlands Junior School (www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk)

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Online Resources: Games and Activities• Priory Woods (

http://www.priorywoods.middlesbrough.sch.uk/)

• Do 2 Learn (www.do2learn.com)• Help Kidz learn (

http://www.helpkidzlearn.com/)• Hooda Math (www.hoodamath.com)• Learning games for kids (www.learninggamesforkids.com)

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Explore Online Assistive Technology Solutions and Resources in the Lab for 20 Minutes

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AT Evolves Over Time

• As a student’s work gets more difficult, their technology needs may change and new strategies and tools may be required.

• New technology becomes available that may be better suited to meet the student’s diverse learning needs.

• The IEP team or another professional may decide that another piece of assistive technology will be better for a student to meet their needs in the school environment.

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Tips For Teachers

• Use Assistive Technology!• Learn how to use the Assistive Technology in your classroom and why a

student or students are using it in your class.• Incorporate Assistive Technology throughout the school day.• Sit in on IEP meeting when it is possible to attend.• Work with the special education team to provide the greatest benefit to the

student using the assistive technology.• Ask for HELP when you need it!

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ReferencesU. S. Department of Education. Retrieved from http://idea.ed.gov/

Family Center on Technology and Disability. Retrieved from www.fctd.info

Education World. Retrieved from www.educationworld.com

South Carolina Assistive Technology Program. Retrieved from http://www.sc.edu/scatp/ld.htm