Assistive Technology in the Classroom

Assistive Technologyin the Classroom

Session 4Assistive Technology that

Supports Learning

Intellectual Access Technologies

Presentation Agenda

Introduction

Principles of Universal Design for Learning

AT to support literacy and numeracy

AT to support organization and executive functioning

Lesson Design for Integrating AT

IntroductionAll students should have learning outcomes in their IEP appropriate to their level of cognitive ability

Students with disabilities often have difficulty developing knowledge and skills in core areas

AT can support knowledge and skill acquisition and it fits well with the principles of UDL

Think about this…What learning outcomes do your students have in their IEP?

How does your team feel about the inclusion of learning outcomes for all students?

Universal Design for Learning

Set of principles developed by CASTCenter for Applied Special Technology (www.cast.org)

Designed to help teachers develop curricula that is accessible to all students regardless of ability

“Provides a blueprint for creating flexible goals, methods, materials, and assessments that accommodate learner differences.” – CAST

Watch this…Universal Design for Learning is one of the most exciting changes in education in recent memory!

Here is a short video that explains it…

http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/udlguidelines

UDL Principles Multiple means of representation

Different ways of acquiring information an knowledge

Multiple means of expression

Different ways of demonstrating knowledge and understanding

Multiple means of engagement

Accessing student interests, offer appropriate challenges and motivate them to learn

Key concept = flexibility

UDL Implications Provides intellectual and physical access to the curriculum

Changes the role of Special Educator

Capitalizes on the flexibility and customizability of digital media

Suggests the evolution of the role of assistive technology from individual adaptation for curriculum access to enhanced interaction with accessible curriculum

Try this… The web is FULL of helpful information on UDL and supporting all learners

Some of the best sites are blogs and wikis created by technology-using educators

Great source of up-to-date information

Teaching Every Student Blog

Break Time!

Digital Media Technologies

Digital MediaProvides accessible curriculum for all students

Customizable to suit student’s individual needs

ExamplesAlternate and interactive books

eText and scanned books

Websites

e.g. www.arc-bc.org

Instructional Technologies

Provide individualized experiences forExtra practice

Development of skills

Problem solving

Usually include words, numbers, and graphics

Should be used in conjunction with traditional literacy and numeracy instruction

Assistive and InstructionalAssistive Technology

Assists individuals in completing tasks – students require AT because the task cannot be accomplished any other way even in a UDL classroom

Instructional TechnologyAssists students in acquiring information or skill. It is used for a period of time to acquire or reinforce knowledge or skills – used in most (including UDL) classrooms

Adapted from Scott Marfilius, 2006

Think about this… As an Educational Assistant, do you think your

role will change working in classrooms following UDL principles?

How will your support of students with disabilities change?

Barriers to LiteracyFor students with disabilities…

Negative attitudes

Low expectations

Limited opportunities

Limited means of accessing literacy and demonstrating understanding

Limited time to adapt literacy materials

Decreased access to literacy opportunities as student ages

Benefits of Literacy ProgramFor students with disabilities…

Self-esteem (being perceived as literate in a print world)

Self-determination

Independence

Information gathering

Ability to organize aspects of daily life

Learning and expressing knowledge

Lifelong entertainment

Technology to Support LiteracyExamples (students who need graphics)

Boardmaker Plus (www.mayer-johnson.com)

Balanced Literacy (www.intellitools.com)

Clicker 5 (www.cricksoft.com)

Classroom Suite (www.intellitools.com)

Technology to Support Literacy

Examples (text based)SOLO (www.donjohnston.com)

Kurzweil 3000 (www.kurzweiledu.com)

textHELP Read ‘n Write (www.texthelp.com)

WordQ/SpeakQ (www.wordq.com)

AlphaSmart NEO / DANA (www.alphasmart.com)

Fusion (http://www.writerlearning.com/)

Kurzweil 3000

Probably the most common software found in schools to support struggling readers and writers

Full featured program with many tools and options to support reading comprehension, written output and test/worksheet completion

Go to www.kurzweiledu.com to request free trial

Break Time!

Numeracy Programs

Research and information on students with disabilities and numeracy very limited

Usually lumped together with literacy

Similar assumptions for barriers and benefits

Software to Support Numeracy

Tend to focus on one or more of these categories…

Number concepts (numeration, place value, etc)

Computation

Geometry

Algebra

Time, money, measurement

Word problems

Software to Support Numeracy

ExamplesNumber concepts (www.intellitools.com)

MathPad (www.intellitools.com)

Big:Calc (www.donjohnston.com)

Software to Support Numeracy

ExamplesScientific Notebook (www.mackichan.com)

Money Skills (www.marblesoft.com)

Time Scales (www.attainmentcompany.com)

Classroom Suite 4 (www.intellitools.com)

Software to Support Organization

ExamplesInspiration (www.inspiration.com)

Kidspiration (www.kidspiration.com)

Draft:Builder SE (www.donjohnston.com)

Software to Support Executive Functioning

ExamplesAbleLink Community Integration Suite (www.spectronicsinoz.com)

StudyMinder Homework System (www.studyminder.com)

iPod / iPad iPrompts

(www.iprompts.com)

For More Information…

Instructional and Assistive TechnologiesChildren’s Technology Review

www.childrenssoftware.com

Educational Resourceswww.edresources.com

Bridges-Canadawww.bridges-canada.com

Freeware / Shareware

Many freeware/shareware options to support student learning

Blogs are a great source of up-to-date information on special education technology

Just one to get you started…Free Resources from the Net for EVERY Learner(Paul Hamilton)

Break Time!

Lesson Plan Example

TaskRead a page in a Social Studies textbook on the Feudal system and answer comprehension questions

Class composition21 students regular access

7 students adapted access

1 student modified access

Lesson Plan ExampleSteps

Create accessible text (scan in Kurzweil 3000)

Create template for questions (teacher)

EA learns activities to support in Sunburst Destination: Castle software program

Work with teacher to plan lesson delivery

Support individual access to curricular contentRegular access – read text, answer questions on printed sheet

Adapted access – read scanned text with auditory support, answer questions using talking word processor template

Modified access – complete activity on castles in software program

Conduct assessment of lesson activities

Discussion ForumIn your small group, it’s time to select the assistive technology you think would best support your student’s IEP goals

Review the IEP goals

Look at the descriptions of each of the technologies

Decide which one(s) you think match the student’s needs

To think about…

If nothing every changed, there would be no butterflies.

Author unknown

Session Summary ActivityLink to Session 4 Summary Activity

Session 4 Summary Activity

Will be emailed to you after this session!

Any Questions?How are you feeling…?