Technology in The Classroom Date: July 22, 2010 Grace Kiyaga-Nsubuga Katie Anning Joe Cini Technology in The Classroom Date: July 22, 2010 Grace Kiyaga-Nsubuga Katie Anning Joe Cini

Computer - Based Assistive Technology

Overview What Assistive Technology is &-- is not? What Assistive Technology is &-- is not? Why Assistive Technology (AT)? Why Assistive Technology (AT)? Tools & Strategies to enhance help students’ learning Tools & Strategies to enhance help students’ learning Why Computer Based AT? Why Computer Based AT? How AT Can Benefit Students? How AT Can Benefit Students? Specific Benefits for Literacy & Numeracy Specific Benefits for Literacy & Numeracy AT Tools for Reading problems, Numeracy, Language Challenges, & Sensory Challenges AT Tools for Reading problems, Numeracy, Language Challenges, & Sensory Challenges Assessing the Quality of AT Tools Assessing the Quality of AT Tools Overall Benefit of Technology in The Classroom Overall Benefit of Technology in The Classroom Limitations, Challenges & Next Steps Limitations, Challenges & Next Steps

Introduction There’s increasing emphasis for teachers, administrators at the school & board levels to incorporate technology in the classrooms to improve both teachers’ instruction & students’ learning. There’s increasing emphasis for teachers, administrators at the school & board levels to incorporate technology in the classrooms to improve both teachers’ instruction & students’ learning. Use of technologies such as the internet, projectors, computers, smart boards, & etc. are all crucial for enhancing all students’ learning. Use of technologies such as the internet, projectors, computers, smart boards, & etc. are all crucial for enhancing all students’ learning. All these technologies are effective tools to use to help the teacher to differentiate instruction & tap into many multiple intelligences. All these technologies are effective tools to use to help the teacher to differentiate instruction & tap into many multiple intelligences. Technology in the classroom is a very important & huge topic to discuss. But, this section will focus on Computer Based Assistive Technology. Technology in the classroom is a very important & huge topic to discuss. But, this section will focus on Computer Based Assistive Technology. The second section will discuss technology to assist all students in the classroom The second section will discuss technology to assist all students in the classroom

Objectives Gain an overview of how incorporation of AT & other technologies in the classes enhances all students’ learning specially those with special needs. Gain an overview of how incorporation of AT & other technologies in the classes enhances all students’ learning specially those with special needs. Learn the tools used & the strategies of incorporating AT in the classroom Learn the tools used & the strategies of incorporating AT in the classroom Identify things to consider when incorporating AT & other technologies in the classroom Identify things to consider when incorporating AT & other technologies in the classroom Identify the challenges & think of next steps Identify the challenges & think of next steps

What Assistive Technology (AT) Is – and Is Not? Any technology that allows one to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of an individual with special learning needs. (Edyburn, 2000) Any technology that allows one to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of an individual with special learning needs. (Edyburn, 2000) Its applications and adaptations can help open doors to previously inaccessible learning opportunities for many children with special needs (Judge, 2001) Its applications and adaptations can help open doors to previously inaccessible learning opportunities for many children with special needs (Judge, 2001)

What Does Mel Say? Assistive technology is one method in which teachers and parents can “find alternative ways for our students and children to perform, often making use of their strengths to bypass the weak elements.” Assistive technology is one method in which teachers and parents can “find alternative ways for our students and children to perform, often making use of their strengths to bypass the weak elements.”

What Else Does Mel Say? More than 20 percent of children encounter significant school-related problems…it is our job to help all children find success in learning More than 20 percent of children encounter significant school-related problems…it is our job to help all children find success in learning Throughout his book, he suggests assistive technology as a strategy to help a struggling students in many different areas Throughout his book, he suggests assistive technology as a strategy to help a struggling students in many different areas

What AT… contn’d AT is not the : Instructional Technology that uses innovative tools. (E.g. videotapes, computer based instruction, & internet ) to expand the instructional modalities in the classrooms without regards to the specific students’ needs. Instructional Technology that uses innovative tools. (E.g. videotapes, computer based instruction, & internet ) to expand the instructional modalities in the classrooms without regards to the specific students’ needs. Assistance such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, and glasses for vision, though they are vital to the students who need them. Assistance such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, and glasses for vision, though they are vital to the students who need them.

Examples of AT Specific Computer Based AT: (e.g. word prediction, read-back software) Specific Computer Based AT: (e.g. word prediction, read-back software) Adaptive Technology: Changes the environment so that a person can function Adaptive Technology: Changes the environment so that a person can function Augmentative Technology: Adds qualities to the environment. Augmentative Technology: Adds qualities to the environment.

Why AT? Provides teachers with a variety of tools to make inclusion possible & easier. Provides teachers with a variety of tools to make inclusion possible & easier. Helps teachers to differentiate instruction Helps teachers to differentiate instruction Used for supporting & scaffolding to ensure students’ progress Used for supporting & scaffolding to ensure students’ progress Allows teachers to provide students with essential tools for adapting methods & materials to student’s individual needs, flexible goals of learning & continuous assessment Allows teachers to provide students with essential tools for adapting methods & materials to student’s individual needs, flexible goals of learning & continuous assessment It increases engagement, motivation, & production. It increases engagement, motivation, & production.

Why AT contn’d Technology specifically helps Special Ed. students access all curriculum. Technology specifically helps Special Ed. students access all curriculum. Many built-in AT features benefit other students too. Many built-in AT features benefit other students too. Helps the teacher respond to all learners needs, interests, & learning styles Helps the teacher respond to all learners needs, interests, & learning styles Most beneficial to incorporate AT into instructional methods & learning materials early enough. Most beneficial to incorporate AT into instructional methods & learning materials early enough.

Tools & Strategies to Enhance All Students’ Learning Tools to help all students include: Word processing, Spell & Grammar Word processing, Spell & Grammar Checks Thesaurus, Graphic organizers Checks Thesaurus, Graphic organizers Presentation soft ware, Webquests Presentation soft ware, Webquests Spread Sheet & Databases Spread Sheet & Databases (p. 128, Education for All) (p. 128, Education for All)

Tools & Strategies contn’d Computer features perform different functions But AT computer programs are fitted with particular features designed to assist specific functions. Computer features perform different functions But AT computer programs are fitted with particular features designed to assist specific functions. AT software is a tool kit for assistance, specific to a student’s need. AT software is a tool kit for assistance, specific to a student’s need. Teacher need to identify the exact students’ need/s & request for specific CBAT tool/s that will enable students to function with a degree of independence. Teacher need to identify the exact students’ need/s & request for specific CBAT tool/s that will enable students to function with a degree of independence.

Why Computer Based AT? CBAT Can provide students with : Access to information; Computer - assisted instruction, Drill & Practice Access to information; Computer - assisted instruction, Drill & Practice Organization strategies, Ability to publish, Study Skills Organization strategies, Ability to publish, Study Skills Functional skills (e.g. key boarding & computer skills), & Unique experiences such as multimedia Functional skills (e.g. key boarding & computer skills), & Unique experiences such as multimedia

Why Computer Based Contn’d Other purposes for CBT include : Makes drill & practice less monotonous Makes drill & practice less monotonous Can be integrated with other activities rather than requiring withdraw from the classroom. Can be integrated with other activities rather than requiring withdraw from the classroom. Computer corrections are non-threatening Computer corrections are non-threatening Assisting in the development of functional skills Assisting in the development of functional skills Providing structures & giving immediate feed back Providing structures & giving immediate feed back

How AT Can Benefit Students? Technology is crucial for some students, but cannot address all problems. Technology is crucial for some students, but cannot address all problems. Its successful use will depend on the characteristics of individual students, the students’ outcome to be accomplished, the task that meet the needs of a particular student, and the functional use of the hardware and software. Its successful use will depend on the characteristics of individual students, the students’ outcome to be accomplished, the task that meet the needs of a particular student, and the functional use of the hardware and software.

Benefits of AT Contn’d Helps students with special needs to: Build on individual strength (Lewis, 1998; Martin 1998) Build on individual strength (Lewis, 1998; Martin 1998) Benefit from using a compensatory tool (Lewis & Martin) Benefit from using a compensatory tool (Lewis & Martin) Gain motivation (Martin) Gain motivation (Martin) Accomplish higher rates of learning & improved achievement (Martin) Accomplish higher rates of learning & improved achievement (Martin) Complete academic tasks independently including tasks they might not have been able to handle unaided, leading to a greater sense of self efficacy (Polloway, Smith, & Patton, 1998). Complete academic tasks independently including tasks they might not have been able to handle unaided, leading to a greater sense of self efficacy (Polloway, Smith, & Patton, 1998).

Specific Benefits for Literacy & Numeracy Specific Benefits for Literacy & Numeracy Word processing : addresses the fine motor difficulties & reduces messy work. Word processing : addresses the fine motor difficulties & reduces messy work. Spell-checking tools: reduces some spelling difficulties Spell-checking tools: reduces some spelling difficulties Placing graphs & charts in assignments: allows students to produce a better quality of assignments, reinforcing the value of published writing. Placing graphs & charts in assignments: allows students to produce a better quality of assignments, reinforcing the value of published writing. Cut & Paste Cut & Paste

Assistive Technology Tools for Reading Optical Character Recognition – allows student to scan reading material into a computer Optical Character Recognition – allows student to scan reading material into a computer Speech Synthesis – reads text that is displayed on the computer monitor, allowing the students to gain independence in reading Speech Synthesis – reads text that is displayed on the computer monitor, allowing the students to gain independence in reading Combined Technologies – helpful for students who have few problems comprehending the spoken language but have difficulty with the decoding of text Combined Technologies – helpful for students who have few problems comprehending the spoken language but have difficulty with the decoding of text

Benefits of Technology in Reading Reduces student frustration Reduces student frustration More complete comprehension of text More complete comprehension of text Improved word-recognition and decoding skills Improved word-recognition and decoding skills

Assistive Technology Tools for Writing Word Prediction Software – Student can select word they are spelling from a list of high frequency words Word Prediction Software – Student can select word they are spelling from a list of high frequency words Words student uses are saved and builds a personalized word list over time Words student uses are saved and builds a personalized word list over time

Benefits of Technology in Writing Speeds up writing process Speeds up writing process Reduces spelling mistakes Reduces spelling mistakes Helps students who have difficulty with the physical act of writing Helps students who have difficulty with the physical act of writing Allows for more successful independent writing Allows for more successful independent writing Increases the quantity and quality of work Increases the quantity and quality of work Improves spelling Improves spelling

Software for Planning and Organizing Create thought webs or cognitive maps that emphasize relationships between ideas Create thought webs or cognitive maps that emphasize relationships between ideas Manipulate categories of ideas and place them where they think appropriate Manipulate categories of ideas and place them where they think appropriate Complete preloaded organizers Complete preloaded organizers Allows for easy reorganization of text Allows for easy reorganization of text

Speech-Synthesis Software Converts text on the screen into aural speech Converts text on the screen into aural speech Encourages increasing independence in self monitoring of one’s writing Encourages increasing independence in self monitoring of one’s writing Improves spelling Improves spelling

Speech Recognition Software Allows student to talk into a microphone or headset what they want the computer to type Allows student to talk into a microphone or headset what they want the computer to type Designed for users with good communicative or cognitive abilities Designed for users with good communicative or cognitive abilities The more a student uses the program the better it gets a recognizing the students voice The more a student uses the program the better it gets a recognizing the students voice

Advantages Allows students to get ideas down that they might have forgotten due to writing or typing speed Allows students to get ideas down that they might have forgotten due to writing or typing speed Allows students to write more fluently Allows students to write more fluently Motivates students to write Motivates students to write

Disadvantages It can be time-consuming for both students and teachers It can be time-consuming for both students and teachers Program does make some mistakes Program does make some mistakes Technology may be too complicated for use by many students Technology may be too complicated for use by many students

Assistive Technology to support Students With Numeracy Challenges Wide range of special calculators (i.e. talking calculators, large display screens, speech synthesis) Wide range of special calculators (i.e. talking calculators, large display screens, speech synthesis) Electronic math worksheets Electronic math worksheets Software that allows students to manipulate objects and geometric shapes Software that allows students to manipulate objects and geometric shapes

Assistive Technology Tools for Reading Optical Character Recognition – allows student to scan reading material into a computer Optical Character Recognition – allows student to scan reading material into a computer Speech Synthesis – reads text that is displayed on the computer monitor, allowing the students to gain independence in reading Speech Synthesis – reads text that is displayed on the computer monitor, allowing the students to gain independence in reading Combined Technologies – helpful for students who have few problems comprehending the spoken language but have difficulty with the decoding of text Combined Technologies – helpful for students who have few problems comprehending the spoken language but have difficulty with the decoding of text

Limitation of AT CBAT will not solve all student’s learning needs especially if there’re several areas of need. CBAT will not solve all student’s learning needs especially if there’re several areas of need. Complex solutions are not always the best solutions. Complex solutions are not always the best solutions. No one solution will address all learning & productivity issues. No one solution will address all learning & productivity issues. Not all AT tools are appropriate for all students with leaning challenges. Not all AT tools are appropriate for all students with leaning challenges. Students need basic keyboarding skills to maximize the effectiveness of AT. Students need basic keyboarding skills to maximize the effectiveness of AT. AT is a tool to support the teaching & learning rather than replacing the two processes. AT is a tool to support the teaching & learning rather than replacing the two processes.

Challenges Challenges What are some of the challenges teachers encounter or expect to Encounter when incorporating AT in your classrooms

Next Steps Expectations in your Classrooms:

Plans Start slowly Start slowly Organize your classroom space Organize your classroom space Seek Administrative Support Seek Administrative Support Professional Development Professional Development

Closing the Gap Largest organization related to learning and assistive technology in the world Largest organization related to learning and assistive technology in the world Judge, S.L.(2001), Computer applications in Program for young Children with Disabilities. Current Status and Future Directions. Journal of Special education Technology 16(1),

More Resources Lewis, R.B. (1998). Enhancing the Writing skills of Students with Learning Disabilities Through Technology. Eric Document Reproduction Service No. Ed Martin, C.(1998). Supporting Special needs with Software. Teach magazine, 6, 1-6. Levine, M.(2002) Educational Care 2nd Edition. Educators Publishing Services, Cambridge Massachusetts.

And Even More Resources Education for All (2005) : The report of the Expert Panel on Literacy and Numeracy Instruction for Students With special education Needs, Kindergarten to Grade 6 Edyburn, D.I.(2000). Assistive technology and Students with Mild Disabilities. Focus on Exceptional Children, 52 (9), 1-24.