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AT for kids with LD is defined as any device, piece of equipment or system that helps bypass, work around or compensate for an individual's specific learning deficits. Over the past decade, a number of studies have demonstrated the efficacy of AT for individuals with LD. 1 AT doesn't cure or eliminate learning difficulties, but it can help your child reach her potential because it allows her to capitalize on her strengths and bypass areas of difficulty. For example, a student who struggles with reading but who has good listening skills might benefit from listening to audio books. In general, AT compensates for a student's skills deficits or area(s) of disability. However, utilizing AT does not mean that a child can't also receive remedial instruction aimed at alleviating deficits (such as software designed to improve poor phonic skills). A student could use remedial reading software as well as listen to audio books. In fact, research has shown that AT can improve certain skill deficits (e.g., reading and spelling).2,3 AT can increase a child's self-reliance and sense of independence. Kids who struggle in school are often overly dependent on parents, siblings, friends and teachers for help with assignments. By using AT, kids can experience success with working independently

Classroom Assistive Technology Devices

Learning Disabilities: Math

Access to Math Company: Don Johnston, Inc. Tel #: 1-800-999-4660 Catalog #: P90 Price: $79.00 Function Domain: Learning Disabilities

Overview All Content (85) Questions and Breakthroughs (27) Resources (5) Blog Polls Set as default tab Technology has allowed teaching and learning to go beyond the traditional classroom. How are you integrating mobile learning in your classroom? Manage categories Add a new category Edit category Close Create and manage categories in Mobile Learning. Removing a category will not remove content. Categories in Mobile Learning Add a new category (0 remaining) Only categories are allowed, right now there are too many. Name Tag suggestions (optional) Use tags to recommend this category to content authors. A matching tag will display a hint next to the category name when creating content. Popular tags in Mobile Learning: Apply this new category to all content using the suggested tags? if (dwr == null) var dwr = {}; if (dwr.engine == null) dwr.engine = {}; if (DWREngine == null) var DWREngine = dwr.engine; dwr.engine._origScriptSessionId = "8EC617F5FEFD11BE846DF7A9A0B29706"; dwr.engine._sessionCookieName = "JSESSIONID"; // JSESSIONID dwr.engine._allowGetForSafariButMakeForgeryEasier = "true"; dwr.engine._scriptTagProtection = "throw 'allowScriptTagRemoting is false.';"; dwr.engine._defaultPath = "/dwr/interface"; dwr.engine._pollWithXhr = "false"; var communityID = 2013; var containerID = 2013; var containerType = 14; function closeCustomizeWidgetMessageProperty() { $j('#jive-overview-customize-info').hide(); CommunityUtils.closeCustomizeWidgetMessageProperty(); } function setUserDefaultTab() { $j('#jive-set-default-tab').hide(); CommunityUtils.setUserDefaultTab(communityID, 'overview'); } function startFollowing() { FollowingActionBean.followContainer(14, communityID, true, { callback:function() { $j('#jive-link-community-startFollowing').hide(); $j('#jive-link-community-stopFollowing').show(); Jive.AlertMessage('thread.watch.notify', { beforeStart:function() { $j('[id=thread.watch.notify]').html('' + 'You are now following this community, which will appear in the Places widget. To remove, click "Stop following this community".' + ''); } }); }, errorHandler:function(msg, e) { alert("An internal error occurred while following the project or community."); } }); } function stopFollowing() { FollowingActionBean.followContainer(14, communityID, false, { callback:function() { $j('#jive-link-community-startFollowing').show(); $j('#jive-link-community-stopFollowing').hide(); Jive.AlertMessage('thread.watch.notify', { beforeStart:function() { $j('[id=thread.watch.notify]').html('' + 'You have stopped following this community. To view this community in the Places widget, click "Follow this community" below.' + ''); } }); }, errorHandler:function(msg, e) { alert("An internal error occurred while following the project or community."); } }); } var containerID = 2013; var containerType = 14; var popularTags = new Array(); var tagSets = new Array(); var container = { ID: containerID, objectType: containerType}; var maxTagSetCount = 25 if(typeof(Community) == 'undefined'){ Community = {}; Community.feed = {}; } function manageCategories(){ $j(".jive-modal-title-add-category").hide(); $j(".jive-modal-add-category").hide(); $j(".jive-modal-title-edit-category").hide(); $j(".jive-modal-edit-category").hide(); $j(".jive-modal-title-manage-categories").show(); $j(".jive-modal-categories-listing").show(); $j("#jive-modal-categories").lightbox_me(); $j("#saveButton").unbind("click"); $j("#saveButton").click(function(event) { $j("#saveButton").tri

Technology has opened many educational doors to children, particularly to children with disabilities

Technology is providing more powerful and efficient tools to teachers who work with children with disabilities. These tools enable teachers to offer new and more effective means of learning while individualizing instruction to the broad range of student learning needs.

Text can be read electronically by a digitized voice synthesizer for a person who is blind. For persons with hearing impairments, amplification devices can filter extraneous noise from the background or pick up an FM signal from a microphone on a teacher's lapel.

Students with disabilities cannot use the same technology that typical students use.

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.

Children w

One tool to help students with disabilities even in the face of a special education teacher shortage is assistive technology. Today, assistive technology can help students with certain disabilities learn more effectively. Ranging in sophistication from “low” technologies such as a graphic organizer worksheet to “high” technologies including cutting-edge software and smartphone apps, assistive technology is a growing and dynamic field.

Text-To-Speech Assistive Tools

Intel Reader

For students with learning disabilities (LD), technology can be an assistive tool replacing an ability that is either missing or impaired

Computers change the writing process by making it easier to develop and record ideas, to edit ideas, and to publish and share with others.

ronunciation editing, or the capability to adjust pronunciation of words produced by speech synthesizers, is available with some talking word processors. This feature allows writers to spell words and hear them pronounced correctly rather than phonetically (Beukelman, Hunt-Berg & Rankin, 1994).

Assistive technology is any kind of technology and/or tool that can be used to enhance the functional independence of a person with a disability.

can be a challenge

iDevices in the Special Education Classroom

Wisconsin Educator Standards - Teachers Ten Standards for Teacher Development and Licensure To receive a license to teach in Wisconsin, an applicant shall complete an approved program and demonstrate proficient performance under all of the following standards: Teachers know the subjects they are teaching. The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the disciplines she or he teaches and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for pupils. Teachers know how children grow. The teacher understands how children with broad ranges of ability learn and provides instruction that supports their intellectual, social, and personal development. Teachers understand that children learn differently. The teacher understands how pupils differ in their approaches to learning and the barriers that impede learning and can adapt instruction to meet the diverse needs of pupils, including those with disabilities and exceptionalities. Teachers know how to teach. The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies, including the use of technology, to encourage children's development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills. Teachers know how to manage a classroom. The teacher uses an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation. Teachers communicate well. The teacher uses effective verbal and nonverbal communication techniques as well as instructional media and technology to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom. Teachers are able to plan different kinds of lessons. The teacher organizes and plans systematic instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter, pupils, the community, and curriculum goals. Teachers know how to test for student progress. The teacher understands and uses formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual, social, and physical development of the pupil. Teachers are able to evaluate themselves. The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects of his or her choices and actions on pupils, parents, professionals in the learning community and others and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally. Teachers are connected with other teachers and the community. The teacher fosters relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the larger community to support pupil learning and well-being and acts with integrity, fairness and in an ethical manner.

Computers are extremely patient and uncritical when children make mistakes---marvelous characteristics which make them quite effective for young children¹s learning. Not only that, the newer interactive software allows young children to explore and experiment in a safe environment where there is no wrong answer and where a child may experience success, sometimes for the first time.

Both verbal and nonverbal children can use the computer as a communication tool. Software provides both subjects and purpose for conversations for those who are able, and willing, to speak.

Educational Technology in the Special Education Classroom In the special education classroom, attention should be given to optimum learning conditions, in the form of accommodations and modifications that will allow the student with learning disabilities to demonstrate his existing skills while learning new ones. In contrast to traditional paper-pencil tasks, interactive technology is providing many alternative methods for students to demonstrate what they have learned. Computers are powerful tools for students with special needs and should be utilized as much as possible.With the use of technology students who have difficulty getting their thoughts on paper because of poor handwriting skills, can write their thoughts with the use of a keyboard. A child whose visual processing disorder makes reading difficult can use his stronger auditory skills to listen to a recording of a book. When the visual book is utilized together with the auditory recording, the child receives the benefit of matching the sound with the words. This has the potential of improving his reading skills.

A number of trends are combining to create new opportunities for students and the field of technology. As more and more content is available online, sometimes exclusively, it is important to ensure that the information is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities; assistive and learning technology offers great promise in helping these students. Special education delivery now happens more often in the general education classroom, not in segregated special needs classrooms. Also, the stunning innovation of technology; has made it easier to use and customize. It has become more powerful and available at lower costs, therefore making it attractive as part of a school wide solution. Tremendous advances in technology in the past decade have led to the development of speech synthesis and recognition technology, interactive software, and miniaturization and portability that help these students achieve and thrive (National Center on Technology Innovation.(2006). Moving Towards Solutions: Assistive Learning Technology for all Students. Washington, DC: Author)

Question 1: How can social media tools such as Facebook, wikis, and blogs be used in high schools as learning tools? Question 2: Can you provide concrete examples in how schools and districts are using learning and assistive technologies to help students with disabilities succeed on the high school level? Question 3: What funding is now available for high schools in regards to technology with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) 2009?

Three advantages have been found regarding technology in the classroom including:  Educators should use technology in the classroom because its wide range of uses and forms has the potential to reach students of all learning styles, as well as be more efficient.  The interest and motivation that technology induces in students makes its usage in schools important.  Educators better prepare students for the future when using technology aimed at addressing each learning style.

"The creative use of these technologies has the potential to engage young people and instill an excitement about learning in ways that few traditional teaching aids and techniques seem capable of doing." They later mention that technological instruction helps students adapt to learning styles by providing a "self-paced... learning environment" that helps all learners to feel less threatened by new material. The simple fact that students exposed to technology will be more comfortable with it later in life is only one of the many reasons to use it in hopes of preparing the for the future.

 Improved attitude  Improved confidence   Improved writing skills when using technology in the classroom (2)

When students with disabilities are members of your classroom, incorporating computer technology and interactive learning devices into your all students' learning will help facilitate an equal learning environment. You can do this by adding assistive software to computers already equipped with learning materials. Also, track balls, larger keyboards, and magnified or touch screens can be added to a computer to ensure all students have access to the general curriculum.

Effective use of the Smart Board technology can without question quickly produce increased student interaction and engagement with specific instructional material and can have lasting benefits on the classroom dynamic and cognitive development of the middle school age student population

In the 21st century not only do most K-12 students have or are in the process of acquiring technological literacy, but concurrently the use of technology has become the central focus of their lives

While the classroom should not become simply a conduit for students to further immerse themselves in technology, the classroom should not pretend technology does not exist as well