Shelly Mitchell SES 662 Dr. S. Kurtts June 12, 2014

AUIDENCE *Middle School classroom teachers in a 1:1 computer school *School is very inclusive and all teachers have several students with disabilities in their classrooms, many of these teachers teach students with physical disabilities *Workshop is intended to last 4 hours and will be offered on a Teacher Workday *Teachers will receive Tehcnology CEU credits for attending *Exceptional Children’s teachers will be available during the workshop to assist with demonstrations

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY: AWARENESS AND WORKING KNOWLEDGE *Many teachers are unaware of the AT options available to their students *Due to their unawareness they also have a low working knowledge of how to use AT tools or how to develop instruction to work best with the tools used by their students

WORKSHOP OUTLINE ~Overview of “What is AT?” ~Demonstrate and allow time to set-up and practice with four AT Tools available in my school *Speak It Google Extension *QIZDOM Reading Pen *Audio eBook thru DestinyQuest *Dragon Dictation iPad app

PRE-ASSESSMENT All participants will complete a Google Form 1-2 weeks prior to the workshop. View Form hereView Form here This will allow time to modify the workshop as needed to best fit the needs of the audience.

PRESENTATION During the Overview Presentation teachers will learn the difference between low- tech, mid-tech, and high-tech tools. Time be allowed to discussed the three levels and to share examples of all the levels in our school

LOW-TECH refers to unsophisticated devices and largely non-electronic devices, many of which can be produced from local materials, such as:  pencil grips  book holders  texture boards  reading stands  educational toys and games

MEDIUM-TECH devices are more complicated, many of which can be manufactured locally, such as :  hearing aids  speech trainers  Braille paper and styluses  tape recorders  magnifying reading glasses

HIGH-TECH devices involve the use of sophisticated communication and environmental control systems that are electronically based. increasing variety of methods of adapting the computer through the use of special needs peripherals and/or software

LOW-TECH VERSUS HIGH-TECH Low-tech solutions are often more effective and easily integrated High-tech solutions have enormous potential, yet require  careful assessment for ‘fit’ with individual  require considerable specialist training and support to be effective  can be prohibitively expensive

AT TOOLS Sample Demonstrations of the Tools: *Speak It Google Extension *QIZDOM Reading Pen – *Audio eBook thru DestinyQuest *Dragon Dictation iPad app -

WORKSHOP EVALUATION View Form Here

REFLECTION AT is only successful when it is used properly. Thus classroom teachers need to be aware of and have a working knowledge of AT devices and services used by their students. AT is not a “fix” for the disability. Instead AT attempts to provide an alternative approach that works around the impairment. Low-Tech versus High Tech: One is not always better than the other. AT should contribute to the achievement of relevant and identified educational goals AT interventions should not create unrealistic expectations of what the student can achieve

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Assistive Technology Training Online (ATTO) (2005). Edyburn, Dave (2003). What Every Teacher Should Know About Assistive Technology. Boston: Pearson Education. Gavigan, K., & Kurtts, S. A. (2009). AT, UD, and thee: Using assistive technology and universal design for learning in 21st century media centers. Library Media Connection, (27)4, Individual with Disabilities Act of 1990 (IDEA) P.L. 101 – 1476 Hooker, Mary (2007). The Role of Assistive Technology. Dublin, Ireland Integrating Assistive Technology Writing Tools – youtube. 87B4181&index=2 87B4181&index=2 Kurtts, S.A., Dobbins, N., and Takemae, N. (2011). Using assistive technology to meet diverse learner needs. Library Media Connection, 30(4), *Images courtesy of Google Images database – labeled for Creative Coomons reuse rights