Assistive technology is a technology tools or resources that were used for helping those who are disability or needed more than just regular lesson so they can learn and access technology.
I decided to look at an article by Raskind and Stanberry on assistive technology for kids with Learning Disabilities (LD).
According to Raskind and Stanberry (2011), AT is a technology which available for help all types of disability problem. There article focus on learning disability using AT and how AT can be a helpful tools for people with developmental delay.
Their article introduce parents in helping their children's in learning AT. They defined AT for kids with learning disability as a system or equipment that provide learning base and a tools of developing delay skill.
They also provide additional AT tools that is helpful in helping kids with problems in learning disability. Some tools that they included in their article that is supportive and helpful are:
• Abbreviation expanders
• Alternative keyboards
• Audio books and publications
• Electronic math work sheets
• Freeform database software
• Graphic organizers and outlining
• Information/data managers
• Optical character recognition
• Personal FM listening systems
• Portable word processors
• Proofreading programs
• Speech-recognition programs
• Speech synthesizers/screen readers
• Talking calculators
• Talking spell checkers and electronic dictionaries
• Variable-speed tape recorders
• Word-prediction programs
I have look at a couple of these helpful tools and I think it's really helpful for not just children with learning disability but it supports and help learning in just about anyone.
After learning from this article, I know that I can easily incorporate AT along with supportive tools that was provide in this article in my class. One reason why I think supportive tools in this article is helpful because we live in a very diversity country with more children diagnosed with learning disability. As a teacher, we need to be aware of this situation and be prepare to encourage and education them in our best of knowledge.
Reference:
Web: N/A, (2002). Access IT: What is assistive technology. University of Washington. Retrieved from: http://www.washington.edu/accessit/articles?109
Web: Marshall, R. and Stanberry, K., (2011), Assistive technology for kids with LD: An overview. Great school: CA. Retrieved from: http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistive-technology/702-assistive-technology-for-kids-with-learning-disabilities-an-overview.gs?page=1
There are so many people with learning disabilities. It is great to see that there is numerous devices available to help compensate and improve their lives. Learning disabilities come in all areas for many different people, it takes special people to dedicate their lives to helping them.
ReplyDeleteI really like the illustration above that shows how assistive technology can help each kind of handicap. It really drives your point home. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteI like how you outlined a variety of AT tools available to meet the needs of many children. As you brought up, more children are being diagnosed with learning disabilities. It is our responsibility as future educators to acknowledge this and discover better ways to educate ALL of our students. Our efforts will help them become successful.
ReplyDeleteGreat mind map!I really like that you mentioned information about audio books and publications. I have used ebooks in the past and found them to be really helpful and a neat tool.
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