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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?

"Kevin can be far more involved in group activities. He can converse with his peers, participate in class discussions, and do his homework, no matter where he is. This has increased his ability to be an independent member of the school and the community."

traditional assistive technologies have converged with consumer technologies

today's smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices come equipped with universal access functionality, making it possible for users to deploy built-in or easily downloaded assistive technologies.

To teach a child, who is using photographs or objects as his visual representation system, to understand black/white line drawings, place a small black/white picture communication symbol in the corner of the various objects/photographs currently used by the child. Gradually increase the size of the picture communication symbol until it eventually covers up the entire photograph/object.

When any visual representation system is used, it is important to combine it with a written word, as many children with autism exhibit a high interest in letters and words, and some even become early readers. Therefore we should continually enhance the child's literacy skills by also providing the written word with any type of visual representation system.

Technology should be used for a purpose—not for the sake of being flashy and not as a distraction from other forms of pedagogy

Be sure that the technology that you intend to use is accessible to your students

do consider whether or not your students have access to technology that you want them to use

Communication Books:Used by children with autism or those who struggle with verbal language, these books encourage a child to choose a small picture card. The card allows the child to ask for something or to answer a question. Called the Picture Exchange Communication System, PECS, it was created by Andrew Bondy, Ph.D. and Lori Frost, M.S.

Highlighter Tape:Many children with autism possess strengths in decoding skills but difficulties with comprehension. Highlighter tape is an economical way to highlight text without it being permanent.

FM Auditory Trainers:Children who are deaf or have significant hearing loss may use an FM auditory trainer in school. A microphone is worn by the teacher, and a receiver is worn by the student. An FM trainer has several settings.

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.

Chris Williams, the Mathematics Co-ordinator at Spring Cottage Primary School in Hull, England, has a list of ten interactive iPad apps that helped him teach math to his students. Red Bull Kart Fighter, a track racing game, helped teach students how to calculate averages. 

Educators at Ringwood North Primary School in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, created the Epic Citadel Challenge to foster storytelling, creative collaboration and individual initiative.

For example, AutoRap will take your words and turn them into a rap and Strip Designer enables the creation of comic strips.

accommodate different learning styles

Why use interpreters? Interpreters can enhance communication between school staff and school community members. Schools have a responsibility to use interpreters as indicated by the ESL/ESD Progress Map 2009, Curriculum Framework 1998, the Anti-Racism Policy 1998 and the State Government Language Services Policy. Interpreters can assist in the collection of relevant student background information from parents/caregivers so that school communities can provide appropriate educational programs.

Word Prediction Software – Word Prediction Software simply predicts the words that are being typed to reduce the number of keystrokes used to input the word. Once several letters of the word are typed, a list of words pops up and the student selects the correct word. Some versions of the software base the list of words on the letters keyed and other versions will base the choice on context and grammar. Tablets and iPads – Tablets and iPads are the hottest must haves in the technology market. These devices can be used like a computer, an imaging device, a camera, a projector, a mouse, a keyboard, and a remote device for a white boards. The use of tablets and iPads as technology in special education classrooms is limitless and app developers, parents, specialists and doctors are always searching for more unique ways to employ these devices.

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I believe that each child is a unique individual who needs a secure, caring, and stimulating atmosphere in which to grow and mature emotionally, intellectually, physically, and socially.

Developing a curriculum around student interests fosters intrinsic motivation and stimulates the passion to learn.