Georgia Department of Education Division for Exceptional Students Georgia Project for Assistive Technology 1870 Twin Towers East Atlanta, Georgia Using Assistive Technology to Support Math Success

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Course Overview and Outcomes

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Course Overview In this course, participants will learn about a range of assistive technology devices that can be used to support students with disabilities who are struggling in the area of math.

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Course Outcomes Increase educator knowledge of assistive technology devices and services to enhance instructional programming Enhance student achievement by providing access to appropriate assistive technology devices

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Setting the Stage

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Current Educational Focus The way in which special education and related services are provided to students with high incidence disabilities has changed as a result of recent legislative mandates. −Increased inclusion in the general education curriculum. −Increased academic demands for all students. −Required accountability for student progress.

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Current Educational Focus The change in focus is due to recent legislative mandates including: –No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 –Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 State and local education agencies are responsible for developing academic standards that are utilized to develop high quality instructional programs for all students. Students with disabilities must have access to the same standards-based curricula as their general education peers. The student’s Individual Educational Program also determines educational programming.

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 Students with disabilities must participate in testing to assess their progress in meeting these standards. −Students with the most significant cognitive disabilities may participate in testing based on alternate achievement standards. The number of students participating in the alternate assessments must not exceed 1% of all students in the grades tested.

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 Children with disabilities should achieve to high academic standards developed for all students. Students should be provided with appropriate assistive technology devices and services as well as accommodations and modifications to assist them in making progress in their educational programs. School systems must be accountable for student achievement for all students.

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Georgia Performance Standards Skill Areas The Georgia Department of Education has established (or is establishing) academic standards across core content areas. These standards are referred to as the Georgia Performance Standards and are available at Students with disabilities must have access to the standards-based general education curriculum.

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Georgia Performance Standards Skill Areas In the Georgia Performance Standards, the mathematics curriculum is organized into five content strands: –Number and Operations Understand numbers, ways of representing numbers, relationships among numbers, and number systems –Measurement Understand measurable attributes of objects and the units, systems, and processes of measurement

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Georgia Performance Standards Skill Areas –Geometry Analyze characteristics and properties of two- and three-dimensional geometric shapes and develop mathematical arguments about geometric relationships –Algebra Understand patterns, relations, and functions –Data Analysis and Probability Formulate questions that can be addressed with data and collect, organize, and display relevant data to answer them

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Math Difficulties and Supports

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Types of Math Difficulties Persons experiencing difficulty with math may have problems in one or more of the following areas: –Calculation –Visual-spatial skills –Organization –Problem Solving To provide appropriate supports, we must determine the types of difficulties the student is experiencing.

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Types of Math Difficulties Calculation skills –Memorizing basic facts and formulas –Remembering simple rules and definitions –Following the proper order of operations

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Types of Math Difficulties Visual-spatial skills –Seeing the book, worksheet or board –Seeing the book accurately (there is a difference!) –Recording on paper so it can be understood

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Types of Math Difficulties Organizational skills –Interpreting problems correctly –Grouping the skills necessary to solve the problem –Performing steps in order

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Types of Math Difficulties Problem solving skills –Identifying and selecting appropriate strategies –Using the strategies correctly –Generalizing strategies to other situations –Applying acquired knowledge and skills to solve problems

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Types of Math Difficulties Many students require special education support, accommodations, modifications, and/or assistive technology to be able to make progress in a standards-based curriculum.

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Assistive Technology Definitions

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Definition of Assistive Technology Assistive technology device Any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities. Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Definition of Assistive Technology Assistive technology device EXCEPTION. The term does not include a medical device that is surgically implanted, or the replacement of such device. Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Definition of Assistive Technology Broad definition gives IEP teams the flexibility to provide a range of assistive technology solutions from low technology to high technology. May include modifications and accommodations required by the student. May include instructional technology.

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Definition of Assistive Technology Assistive technology devices for math include a range of tools ranging from easy to complex and inexpensive to expensive that are used to support calculation, visual-spatial, organizational, and problem solving skills.

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Definition of Assistive Technology Assistive technology for math is used to: –Remediate deficits –Compensate for deficits

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Technology Supports for Math Remediation tools –Strategies and skill based instruction to improve the skills in area of deficit –Technology provides opportunities for: Customization to student’s level of instruction Independent practice Reinforcement Accurate reporting and assessment

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Technology Supports for Math Remediation tools –Assistance for finding remediation technology Media Specialist Technology Specialist Content Specialist Fellow Educators Educational Technology Training Centers Georgia Learning Resources System Georgia Project for Assistive Technology

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Technology Supports for Math Compensatory tools –Used to enhance access to and success in completing instructional tasks which require students to demonstrate understanding of math concepts.

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Access Tools for Math

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools In order to produce quality work, the student must have an appropriate environment and access to the proper tools to compensate for difficulties that they are experiencing. –While these tools may not specifically address math skills, they are considered necessary for some students to provide them with access to the curriculum. –In some cases, these tools may be the only assistive technology students will need to complete their math tasks.

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools –Teacher made slant boards (3” binders) –Book stands, Dycem or non-slip shelf liner (Sammons Preston Rolyan) –Slant boards (Pocket Full of Therapy) –Page and copy holders (office supply store) –Clip boards (office supply store) Positioning Aids Helps maintain posture and stabilizes student’s books and paper

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Adapted Writing Utensils Assists with maintaining grip for writing Improves legibility Delays fatigue and increases comfort –Adapted pens/pencils (Sammons Preston Rolyan, Onion Mountain Technology) –Pencil grips (Sammons Preston Rolyan, Onion Mountain Technology)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools –Raised line paper (Sammons Preston Rolyan, Onion Mountain Technology) –Bold line paper (Sammons Preston Rolyan, Onion Mountain Technology) –Highlighted Paper (Onion Mountain) –Graph Paper (Office Supply) Adapted Paper Improves spacing and alignment of student work

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Tracking Aids Enables students with visual tracking difficulties to maintain their place in the text or on a worksheet Reading Window (Teacher Made) Bar Magnifier (Independent Living Aids) EZC Reader/ Reading Helper (Really Good Stuff) Click for Demo

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Contrast Aids Provides visual contrast –Highlighters (office supply) –Highlighting Tape (school supply, Crystal Springs) –Reading Helper (Really Good Stuff, Onion Mountain Technology) –Writing Guide (Onion Mountain Technology)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Contrast Aids Provides visual contrast (continued) –Acetate Report Covers (office supply) –Color Overlays (National Reading Styles Institute, Onion Mountain Technology, See It Right)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Text Enlargement Technology Allows for controlled enlargement of text to the magnification level needed –Bar, page, pocket and stand magnifiers (Maxi-Aids, Independent Living Aids, LS&S) –Closed Circuit Television Systems (Telesensory)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Offers portable solution for reading difficult words in math texts and worksheets –Children’s Talking Dictionary and Spell Checker (Franklin) –Merriam-Webster Speaking Dictionary and Thesaurus (Franklin) –Speaking Language Master (Franklin) Word Identification Aids

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Handheld Scanners Offers word identification and reading support through scanning technology for reading difficult words in math texts and worksheets Can be used as a note-taking device May provide text to speech support –Reading Pens (Wizcom) –IRISpen (Onion Mountain) –Notetaker (Don Johnston)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Text Readers Text-reading computer applications that provide a bimodal presentation of the document being read aloud –ReadPlease Free (ReadPlease) –Universal Reader (Premier Programming) –Etext Reader (Premier Programming)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools PDF Readers Visual and auditory –PDF Readers provide speech access to unlocked PDF files Adobe Reader (Adobe) PDF Aloud (TextHelp) TextAloud (NextUp) Advanced Reading Aids –Kurzweil 3000 (Kurzweil) –Read and Write Gold (Text Help)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Advanced Reading Aids Provides auditory reading support as well as visual enhancement features –Kurzweil 3000 (Kurzweil Educational Systems) –WYNN (Freedom Scientific) –TestTalker (Freedom Scientific) –Read & Write Gold (Text Help)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Screen Readers Allows for controlled enlargement of text to the magnification level needed Will read all text on the computer screen –JAWS (Freedom Scientific) –MAGic (Freedom Scientific)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Numpads Assists with math processing input –Standard keyboard numpad (Windows or Macintosh) –Standalone Numpad (InfoGrip)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Electronic Worksheets and Tests Provides a way for worksheets and tests to be scanned into electronic format –Paper Port (Nuance) –OmniForm (Nuance) –TestTalker (Freedom Scientific)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Voice Input Allows the student to complete math tasks on the computer through voice dictation –MathTalk (MetroPlex Voice Computing) Can be used with basic operations, using MathPad, up to graduate level math, using Scientific Notebook.

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Calculation and Problem Solving Tools

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Manipulatives Provides concrete materials that can be used when performing math tasks –Counters (Beacon Ridge, MathFun.com) –Pattern Blocks (Beacon Ridge, MathFun.com) –Fraction Tiles (Beacon Ridge, MathFun.com)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Manipulatives Provides concrete materials that can be used when performing math tasks (continued) –Tangrams (mathfun.com) –BarCulator (mathfun.com) –PieCulator (mathfun.com)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Manipulatives Provides concrete materials that can be used when performing math tasks (continued) –Cranmer Abacus (APH) –MathLine (Onion Mountain Technology) –Master Fraction (Onion Mountain Technology)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Virtual Manipulatives Allows for access to electronic manipulatives –IntelliMathics (Intellitools) –National Library of Virtual Manipulatives (

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Charts and Study Guides Booklets provide sample problems and references for solving common math problems –Flip charts, Quick Study guides (Amazon, Publisher provided) –Quick Math Books (Curriculum Associates) –CliffNotes ( bookstores) –Flow chart, cheat sheets (Teacher made)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Charts and Study Guides Applications provide sample problems and references for solving common math problems –Study Works Teaching Pro (Global Software Publishing) –Scientific Notebook (MacKichen Software)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Charts and Study Guides Online Resources provide sample problems and references for solving common math problems –Ask Dr. Math – Math Drexel ( –Math.com ( –WebMath.com ( –Algebra.help ( –Math online ( –SparkNotes ( /)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Process Aids Provide auditory prompts for solving multi- step problems –StepPad (Attainment) –VoiceCue (Attainment)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Large Key Calculators Provide large buttons and/or large display for physical access –Dino Junior Big Number Calculator (Independent Living Aids) –Sci-Pod Low Vision Scientific Calculator (MaxiAids) –Desk-top Calculator (MaxiAids)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Talking Calculators Provides speech feedback of numbers entered and numbers on display –Various models (MaxiAids, PCI, Independent Living Aids)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Fraction Calculators Provides calculation assistance for solving fraction problems –TI-15 Explorer Calculator (Onion Mountain Technology)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Graphing Calculators Provides assistance in completing math tasks that require graphing Some provide link to computer - connectivity –TI-84 Plus Silver Edition (Texas Instruments, office supply and discount stores) –CFX-9850G+ Graphing Calculator (Casio, Academic Superstore, office supply and discount stores) –Accessible Graphing Calculator (Independent Living Aids)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Talking Scientific Calculators Provides speech feedback for solving higher level math equations –Talking Scientific Calculator (Independent Living Aids) –Orion T136X Talking Scientific Calculator (MaxiAids) –TI-36X Solar (Independent Living Aids)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools On-screen Calculators Provide on-screen calculation assistance –Big Calc (EnableMart) –Windows based Calculators- standard and scientific –Giant On-Screen Calculator (free at –CalcuScan (Mayer Johnson) –Ti-SmartView emulator software (Texas Instruments)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Calculator with Braille Input-Output Allows Braille users to enter problems using Braille keystrokes and have embossed output –Braille ‘n Speak (Freedom Scientific)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Graphing Software Software for Graphs and Charts Allows students to create graphs on the computer –Microsoft Word (Microsoft) –Microsoft Excel (Microsoft) –Graph Club (Tom Snyder) –TI Interactive (Texas Instruments) –Geometer Sketchpad (Key Curriculum Press) –Scientific Notebook (MacKichen Software)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Portable Math Processors Provides a portable electric solution for solving math problems and practicing math skills –CalcuScribe (CalcuScribe) –Palm OS with Math Software (Handango, ImagiWorks) Missile Math 1.8

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Electronic Math Processing Software Allows for completion of basic math functions in an electronic format –MathPad (Intellitools) –MathPad Plus (Intellitools) –Access to Math (Mac) (Don Johnson)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Electronic Math Processing Software Allows for completion of higher level math functions in an electronic format –Equation Editor (free download from MS Office CD) –MathType (Design Science) –StudyWorks Teaching Pro (Global Software Publishing) –TI Interactive (Texas Instruments)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Electronic Math Processing Software Allows for completion of higher level math functions in an electronic format (continued) –Virtual Pencil series (Henter Math) –Scientific Notebook (MacKichen Software) –Geometer’s Sketchpad (Key Curriculum Press) –Algebrator (Sofmath)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Money

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Manipulatives Provides concrete materials that can be used when performing money tasks –Bills, coins – Hands on Money (Attainment) –Bills, coins, stickers, trays (Creative Presentation Resources, PCI) –Check writing and banking sets (PCI) –Coin Abacus (PCI)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Charts and Study Guides Provides visual cues and references for math tasks involving money –Money Books (Attainment, PCI)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Money Calculators Provides a tool for calculating money –Coinulator (PCI, Onion Mountain Technology, Attainment) –Money Calc (PCI)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Measurement

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Adapted Rulers Provides for visual and physical support when measuring –Master Ruler (Onion Mountain Technology) –Finger Grip Ruler (Onion Mountain Technology) –Large number rulers (Fiskars, local department stores)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Adapted Tape Measures Provides fractional and/or decimal increments labeled –Labeled with fraction (StanleyTools, Lufkin) Provides Laser / Digital measure without tape –FATMAX Tru Laser Measurer 100 Series (StanleyTools) Provides voice output when measuring –Talking Tape Measure (LLS Group, MaxiAids)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Adapted Measuring Devices Provides measuring support through talking, color-coding, larger / bolder numbers, larger handles, more stable bases, etc −Talking Measuring Jug (Independent Living Aids) −Teaspoon Measuring Syringe (Independent Living Aids) −Color Coded Measuring Cups (MaxiAids) −Big Number Funnel Set (MaxiAids)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Time

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Manipulatives Allows for visual cues when telling time –TimeWheel (Attainment) –Master Clock (Onion Mountain Technology)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Adaptive Watches Provides various modes of output to assist with telling time –Talking Watch (Independent Living Aids) –Vibrating Watch (Independent Living Aids) –Dual Time Watch (Timex) –Teaching Watches (Timex, Zoobee)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Determining the Right Tool(s)

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Determining The Optimal Tool(s) Student abilities and needs Required tasks Available supports

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Benefits of Assistive Technology

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Benefits of Math Aids Productivity Independence Achievement

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Services to Support Successful Assistive Technology Use

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Assistive Technology Services Assistive technology service –Any service that directly assists a child with a disability with the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. As used in this part, “assistive technology service” means any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. The term includes- –(a) The evaluation of the needs of a child with a disability, including a functional evaluation of the child in the child’s customary environment;

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Assistive Technology Services Assistive technology service (continued) –(b) Purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by children with disabilities; –(c) Selecting designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, retaining, repairing, or replacing assistive technology devices; –(d) Coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices, such as those associated with existing education and rehabilitation plans and programs;

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Assistive Technology Services Assistive technology service (continued) –(e) Training or technical assistance for a child with a disability or, if appropriate, that child’s family; and –(f) Training or technical assistance for professionals (including individuals or rehabilitation services), employers, or other individuals who provide services to employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of children with disabilities. Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004

Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Things to Keep in Mind Technology is no substitute for good instruction Technology should be used in conjunction with other available supports Technology use should be monitored and changes made as needed

Georgia Department of Education Division for Exceptional Students Georgia Project for Assistive Technology 1870 Twin Towers East Atlanta, Georgia Contact Information (fax)