I am working right now on getting my Master's degree in Special Education, so as a future educator I find using technology in the classroom to be essential. From what I provide in this blog and my fellow peers, I believe this information will prove to be very beneficial for when I become an educator. After reviewing many articles I found that Assistive Technology can be very important for students with disabilities. Assistive technology for kids with learning disabilities can be defined as, "any device, piece of equipment, or system that helps bypass, work around, or compensate for an individual's specific learning deficits" (http://www.schwablearning.org/articles.aspx?r=286).
The International Business Machines (IBM) 1991 training manual stated, "For people without disabilities, technology makes things easier. For people with disabilities, technology makes things possible." I believe that statement right there sums up why integration of technology will be very vital for me to do as a Special Education teacher.
Source:
Raskind, Marshall, & Stanberry, Kristin (2008). Assistive Technology for Kids with Learning Disabilities - An Overview. Retrieved April 1, 2008, from http://www.schwablearning.org/articles.aspx?r=286.
Source: Atlanta Parent Magazine
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3 comments:
A very informative article. I'm also working on a Master's degree in Special Education. It is good to know that there are technology tools available to assist special need students.
Kevin, glad to see you on our blog! It is encouraging to see that technology can be used to help exceptional students learn. So many times we give up on students that don't learn at the same pace as other studetns. Technology can allow students to learn at their own pace.
Through information like you have shared here in your post, along with some of our discussion topics this semester, I have become much more aware of the incredible role technology plays in the lives of those with disabilities -- just as the IBM training manual quote speaks to.
I found myself drawn to a story on the NBC Nightly News a few nights ago that highlighted a very inspiring story of a ten year old severely disabled girl who uses a touch computer screen that she strikes using a xylophone stick. She was a genious... writing award-winning poetry far beyond her years, one tap at a time. It made me realize how tragic it would be if the technology were not there which allows her to communicate what is inside her mind that she is unable to verbally express.
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