1. 1 Assistive Technology and Learning Support Covering: Alternative hardware options Peripherals Stand-alone dedicated devices Software to assist with the process of reading and writing

2. 2 Alternative hardware options Laptops –(short battery life, heavy, fragile) Portable word processors –(very long battery life, light, sturdy) Handheld computers (PDAs) –(medium battery life, light, relatively fragile)

3. 3 Computer Peripherals Scanners Many other assistive technology peripherals commonly used in special education (not covered in this course) Full functionality of portable wordprocessors (and also PDAs) best exploited by connecting to desktop computer on occasion –note school ICT planning implications

4. 4 Stand-alone dedicated devices Spellchecker Dictionary/Thesaurus Grammar checker Handheld scanner Organiser

5. 5 Software to aid reading and writing Screen Readers Optical Character Recognition Programs Scan/Read Software Voice Recognition Software

6. 6 Some issues to consider Will the device be used effectively? Is there a low-technology solution (or non- technology solution) instead? What about classroom management? What about security, batteries, internet connectivity, responsibility for and access to the equipment? What about the student’s feelings on using the device in different contexts – especially if the only one with such a device in the class?