This week we read about the laws and rights to assistive technology for children. Children are entitled to appropriate services and assistive technology devices. These laws are constantly being updated and revised, so it is important that educators and parents are aware of the laws that are in place. This ensures that all children are receiving the assistive technology devices they need.
Education acts and rights have changed greatly over the years, especially for children with disabilities. These acts ensure that every child has an appropriate education and is provided with the assistive technology devices that are needed.
In the Assistive Technology Laws article there are a few laws that stood out to me. The first law is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This act ensures that every child receives free and appropriate public education. More specifically, meeting all of their special education needs. The IDEA allows every child to get the opportunity to be evaluated for assistive technology, if that is the type of service they need. This gives children the chance to learn and work in the best environment for them with the most appropriate resources. Another law that stood out to me is the Assistive Technology Act of 1998. This act gives educators and families a chance to learn about assistive technology, attend programs, have guidance when looking into assistive technology, and find loans when needed to purchase the technology. The Assistive Technology Act is important because it provides crucial services for educators and families who are in need of assistive technology.
The article Assistive Technology Legislation, talks about the specific acts where assistive technology is noted and discussed. The IDEA and the Assistive Technology Act both acknowledge that technology is a vital tool for children with disabilities. Also, that assistive technology should be provided as a part of a child's special education services. This legislation talks in-depth about the importance of assistive technology and the laws that must be followed to ensure fair and equal education for all students.
As an educator, I feel that it is important for all educators and families to be aware of the current legislation for students with disabilities and more specifically, the assistive technology that can be received. Assistive technology is a great learning resource for children with disabilities and should be integrated and used in their specific education plan whenever possible. These acts help to ensure that every child receives the most appropriate education and assistive technology device.
Friday, February 27, 2015
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Technology for Sensory Impairments
This week we read about sensory impairments, more specifically visual impairments. I had the chance to read through some articles and visit a simulator. The simulator allowed me to take a look through someone else's eyes and see what they see. I do not have much experience working with students with a visual impairment but after reading all these detailed articles, I now have a new and better understanding of this impairment. I also have resources and assistive technology to support these students.
The Low Vision Simulation Activity site, gave me an opportunity to look through someone else's eyes and take a chance to realize that everything is seen differently from every person. The most important detail I took away from this site is that even people with the same diagnosis do not see the same. A specific diagnosis does not mean you will see in one particular way. Every person will have different abilities and different needs. It is important to understand the person and find out what the best tools are to help them. I found the simulators to be eye opening and surprising. I never really considered the different levels of vision. Having glasses, I always knew that wearing them would help but in some cases there is more support needed. This simulator definitely gave me a new perspective on low vision and how providing the right resources to students is important.
The Microsoft Accessibility: Guide for Individuals with Vision Impairments, is a resource that I did not know existed. I always knew you could magnify the screen but I did not know about all the other tools they provide. Some of the most beneficial tools for the classroom that I read about are; enlarge text, magnify the screen, and hear the text read aloud. Each of these tools would benefit a child with low vision and give them a chance to work independently on the computer. I have used the magnify screen tool with students in the past and it allows them to feel more comfortable when using technology. This guide is a great resource for educators who do not know this product is available.
The article, Working Together: Computers and People with Sensory Impairments, talked a lot about the assistive technology that is available for people with a sensory impairment. Many of these resources can be accessed by educators for students to use. There are programs that adjust screen colors, have screen enlargement software, have speech and braille out put systems, and offer voice over technology. I have never used many of these programs but would implement them in my classroom as a form of assistive technology. These tools would allow my student to grow as learners and complete classroom assignments more independently. Educators just need to be aware of the resources that are available, even if it is as simple as enlarging the text for the student.
Using an iPad as a form of assistive technology is very common. A student who has an iPad my use it as a form of communication to express wants and needs. They also may use it to complete classwork and follow a schedule in school. Knowing how to manipulate the iPad so that the student is getting full benefit from it is important. That is where the article, Settings for iPad Accessibility Features for Blind and Low Vision Students, comes in handy. This article provides so many ways to alter and get full use out of the iPad. I learned how to input braille options and even change the buttons to make them more visually pleasing. I use iPads daily with my students and now I have many resources and tools to give them the most success when learning.
After watching the webinar on Assistive Technology Ideas for Students with Multiple Disabilities and Visual Impairments, I had the chance to find out about more current assistive technology that is being used. A big resource that is being used is tactile and picture symbols. This allows students to touch and feel the symbol to know what is happening or what is next. Another major resource that was discussed is the iPad. I discovered many new apps to use in my classroom including literary apps and communication apps. Assistive technology is very important when talking about sensory impairments. Even the most simple form of assistive technology gives students a chance to communicate and learn with more confidence.
The Low Vision Simulation Activity site, gave me an opportunity to look through someone else's eyes and take a chance to realize that everything is seen differently from every person. The most important detail I took away from this site is that even people with the same diagnosis do not see the same. A specific diagnosis does not mean you will see in one particular way. Every person will have different abilities and different needs. It is important to understand the person and find out what the best tools are to help them. I found the simulators to be eye opening and surprising. I never really considered the different levels of vision. Having glasses, I always knew that wearing them would help but in some cases there is more support needed. This simulator definitely gave me a new perspective on low vision and how providing the right resources to students is important.
The Microsoft Accessibility: Guide for Individuals with Vision Impairments, is a resource that I did not know existed. I always knew you could magnify the screen but I did not know about all the other tools they provide. Some of the most beneficial tools for the classroom that I read about are; enlarge text, magnify the screen, and hear the text read aloud. Each of these tools would benefit a child with low vision and give them a chance to work independently on the computer. I have used the magnify screen tool with students in the past and it allows them to feel more comfortable when using technology. This guide is a great resource for educators who do not know this product is available.
The article, Working Together: Computers and People with Sensory Impairments, talked a lot about the assistive technology that is available for people with a sensory impairment. Many of these resources can be accessed by educators for students to use. There are programs that adjust screen colors, have screen enlargement software, have speech and braille out put systems, and offer voice over technology. I have never used many of these programs but would implement them in my classroom as a form of assistive technology. These tools would allow my student to grow as learners and complete classroom assignments more independently. Educators just need to be aware of the resources that are available, even if it is as simple as enlarging the text for the student.
Using an iPad as a form of assistive technology is very common. A student who has an iPad my use it as a form of communication to express wants and needs. They also may use it to complete classwork and follow a schedule in school. Knowing how to manipulate the iPad so that the student is getting full benefit from it is important. That is where the article, Settings for iPad Accessibility Features for Blind and Low Vision Students, comes in handy. This article provides so many ways to alter and get full use out of the iPad. I learned how to input braille options and even change the buttons to make them more visually pleasing. I use iPads daily with my students and now I have many resources and tools to give them the most success when learning.
After watching the webinar on Assistive Technology Ideas for Students with Multiple Disabilities and Visual Impairments, I had the chance to find out about more current assistive technology that is being used. A big resource that is being used is tactile and picture symbols. This allows students to touch and feel the symbol to know what is happening or what is next. Another major resource that was discussed is the iPad. I discovered many new apps to use in my classroom including literary apps and communication apps. Assistive technology is very important when talking about sensory impairments. Even the most simple form of assistive technology gives students a chance to communicate and learn with more confidence.
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Technology for Gifted and Talented Students
This week I had the chance to read current articles about technology for gifted and talented students. There are so many resources and technology programs available for these students to enhance and advance their learning. I found these articles to be informative because I have never worked with students who are gifted or talented. Both articles mention the benefit of using assistive technology as a supplemental resource for students who are gifted and talented with a learning disability.
The first article, Creating a Virtual Learning Environment for Gifted and Talented Learners, gave crucial information about using virtual learning environments for gifted students. Virtual learning environments allow teachers to provide advanced content to gifted and talented students. The students are given a chance to learn higher level curriculum and expand their knowledge. Students can work on individual assignments and projects. This way the students continue to be challenged. Using virtual learning environments also provides the chance for students to use assistive technology in the classroom. For a student with a hearing impairment, they can see the words directly on the screen and use a head set to amplify the sound. For a student with low vision, the text can be enlarged on the screen or on the keyboard and the text can even be read to them. Using virtual learning environments allows students to be challenged and to meet the needs of their disability, if one is present. One resource I discovered through reading this article was AbilityHub. This site offers information about assistive technology in general and using it in the classroom. A resource like this would benefit my students learning because it offers current information about assistive technology that they can use.
The second article, A Guidebook for Twice Exceptional Students, talks about finding out exactly what the student needs and providing the resources to make that student successful. Being gifted and talented with a learning disability looks different for every student. This means that one form of learning will not work for every student. Differentiated instruction is key and will allow each student to learn in a way that is best for them. The article discusses the importance of student discovery, student choices, and real life hands on experiences. This allows the student and teacher to realize and understand the best way the student learns and how to create the best program for the student. Most programs utilize assistive technology to provide support when learning. Providing guidance and support in the students' areas of strength is one of the most important pieces I took away from this article. Also, accommodating the student in an appropriate and active way is key when working with a gifted and talented student.
Both articles took the time to talk about the assistive technology that is available and provide information about the technology. Assistive technology can mean any resource that helps students learn and adapt to the learning environment. This technology will help each student to reach their maximum potential and realize that a learning disability is just something that makes them unique not something that is standing in their way.
The first article, Creating a Virtual Learning Environment for Gifted and Talented Learners, gave crucial information about using virtual learning environments for gifted students. Virtual learning environments allow teachers to provide advanced content to gifted and talented students. The students are given a chance to learn higher level curriculum and expand their knowledge. Students can work on individual assignments and projects. This way the students continue to be challenged. Using virtual learning environments also provides the chance for students to use assistive technology in the classroom. For a student with a hearing impairment, they can see the words directly on the screen and use a head set to amplify the sound. For a student with low vision, the text can be enlarged on the screen or on the keyboard and the text can even be read to them. Using virtual learning environments allows students to be challenged and to meet the needs of their disability, if one is present. One resource I discovered through reading this article was AbilityHub. This site offers information about assistive technology in general and using it in the classroom. A resource like this would benefit my students learning because it offers current information about assistive technology that they can use.
The second article, A Guidebook for Twice Exceptional Students, talks about finding out exactly what the student needs and providing the resources to make that student successful. Being gifted and talented with a learning disability looks different for every student. This means that one form of learning will not work for every student. Differentiated instruction is key and will allow each student to learn in a way that is best for them. The article discusses the importance of student discovery, student choices, and real life hands on experiences. This allows the student and teacher to realize and understand the best way the student learns and how to create the best program for the student. Most programs utilize assistive technology to provide support when learning. Providing guidance and support in the students' areas of strength is one of the most important pieces I took away from this article. Also, accommodating the student in an appropriate and active way is key when working with a gifted and talented student.
Both articles took the time to talk about the assistive technology that is available and provide information about the technology. Assistive technology can mean any resource that helps students learn and adapt to the learning environment. This technology will help each student to reach their maximum potential and realize that a learning disability is just something that makes them unique not something that is standing in their way.
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Technology and Communication Impairments
This week we took a look at assistive technology devices that can be used for people who my have a hearing, speech, voice, or language impairment. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders website along with The American Speech Language Hearing Association website, gives a generous amount of information on assistive technology and the devices that are available. I found these websites to answer many of the questions I had and to explain assistive technology is fuller detail.
Working in a school, I have seen many of these impairments and have had a chance to use some of the assistive technology devices. I know personally what a supplement the technology is to student learning, especially when it comes to communicating wants and needs. The assistive technology allows the students to express their emotions more clearly and to communicate more comfortably and confidently.
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders website talks about the different types of assistive devices that are available and further explains the listening devices, alerting devices, and communication devices. I have used the FM system and amplifier in the classroom before with great success. These systems allow students to hear more clearly and participate effectively in group activities. I like how the website noted that there is always research being conducted to improve assistive technology devices and to ensure that they are always working effectively.
The American Speech Language Hearing Association website describes specific situations where a person with a hearing impairment may have a hard time hearing other people. I found these situations to be interesting because it is hard to remember to think about the level in which we speak and if everyone who needs to hear us can hear us. As a teacher, in most situations we just talk at one level but not every student may be able to hear that. It is important to remember to adjust the way we speak when we are closer to students and further away from students, as well as giving processing time. In my experience in the classroom, I have worked with a few students with hearing impairments and saw how effectively the assistive technology devices help these students to hear the lesson and to hear everything that they should be hearing.
Any type of hearing or communication impairment may make learning and communicating more difficult but that does not have to be the case when there is assistive technology devices available. Many of the devices are simple and easy to use. The outcome of using these devices is more productive teaching and learning.
Working in a school, I have seen many of these impairments and have had a chance to use some of the assistive technology devices. I know personally what a supplement the technology is to student learning, especially when it comes to communicating wants and needs. The assistive technology allows the students to express their emotions more clearly and to communicate more comfortably and confidently.
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders website talks about the different types of assistive devices that are available and further explains the listening devices, alerting devices, and communication devices. I have used the FM system and amplifier in the classroom before with great success. These systems allow students to hear more clearly and participate effectively in group activities. I like how the website noted that there is always research being conducted to improve assistive technology devices and to ensure that they are always working effectively.
The American Speech Language Hearing Association website describes specific situations where a person with a hearing impairment may have a hard time hearing other people. I found these situations to be interesting because it is hard to remember to think about the level in which we speak and if everyone who needs to hear us can hear us. As a teacher, in most situations we just talk at one level but not every student may be able to hear that. It is important to remember to adjust the way we speak when we are closer to students and further away from students, as well as giving processing time. In my experience in the classroom, I have worked with a few students with hearing impairments and saw how effectively the assistive technology devices help these students to hear the lesson and to hear everything that they should be hearing.
Any type of hearing or communication impairment may make learning and communicating more difficult but that does not have to be the case when there is assistive technology devices available. Many of the devices are simple and easy to use. The outcome of using these devices is more productive teaching and learning.
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