1. Amy Spitzberg aspitzberg@holyfamily.edu http://aspitzberg.angelfire.com/ Educ504: Special Education & Technology Research Topic Prepared July 23, 2007 Below is a video of the Introduction Introduction

2. Table of Contents Table of Contents Introduction Introduction Introduction Summary Findings Summary Findings Summary Findings Summary Findings Detailed Findings Detailed Findings Detailed Findings Detailed Findings Conclusions Conclusions Conclusions Appendix Appendix Appendix

3. INTRODUCTION The following information is geared towards technology in special education. The following information is geared towards technology in special education. My objective is to inform the reader on how to advance technology in a special education setting. My objective is to inform the reader on how to advance technology in a special education setting. When researching special education and technology I came across a very interesting topic called assistive technology. When researching special education and technology I came across a very interesting topic called assistive technology. Teachers and schools do not have the appropriate technology because of a lack of funding. Teachers and schools do not have the appropriate technology because of a lack of funding. However, when researching technology for special education there were very inexpensive products that would make huge differences in special needs children. However, when researching technology for special education there were very inexpensive products that would make huge differences in special needs children. Technology provides a way for special needs children to communicate and advance their learning on a higher degree. Technology provides a way for special needs children to communicate and advance their learning on a higher degree. Assistive technology is a way for special education students who are nonverbal to communicate with teachers and other students through other means of communication. Assistive technology is a way for special education students who are nonverbal to communicate with teachers and other students through other means of communication.

4. Summary Findings At first I thought this topic would be too general and expensive. At first I thought this topic would be too general and expensive. However, as soon as I started to research different websites I found a lot of technology that I have never seen before. However, as soon as I started to research different websites I found a lot of technology that I have never seen before. Most of the websites were commercial and organizations. Only a couple websites that I researched were education and government websites. Most of the websites were commercial and organizations. Only a couple websites that I researched were education and government websites. One organization website that I found interesting is called NASDSE, which stands for National Association of State Directors of Special Education. One organization website that I found interesting is called NASDSE, which stands for National Association of State Directors of Special Education. This website so interesting is because each year this association picks up to five states and funds them with special education personnel. This website so interesting is because each year this association picks up to five states and funds them with special education personnel.

5. Summary Findings Most commercials websites that I reviewed had very interesting lesson plan activities, curriculum and activities to plan with students. Most commercials websites that I reviewed had very interesting lesson plan activities, curriculum and activities to plan with students. As for the websites that were organizations most of them helped teachers and the community with special education students. As for the websites that were organizations most of them helped teachers and the community with special education students. The government websites that I reviewed had assessments and helpful tools to equip special education children. The government websites that I reviewed had assessments and helpful tools to equip special education children. Here are five websites that I handpicked to properly go with my research report topic. There are two organizations and three commercial websites that benefit this paper. Here are five websites that I handpicked to properly go with my research report topic. There are two organizations and three commercial websites that benefit this paper.

6. Detailed Findings The Alliance for Technology Access The Alliance for Technology Access – “The Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) is the National Network of Community-Based Resource Centers, Developers, Vendors, and Associates dedicated to providing information and support services to children and adults with disabilities, and increasing their use of standard, assistive, and information technologies.” – The reason I chose this website as one of my top five is because it empowers people of special needs of all ages to take advantage of the technology in their community. – The ATA mission is to increase technology within individuals with disabilities. – The reason this is so powerful is because it shows that no matter if you are gifted or special needs you need to make your future dreams a reality. Next, the ATA follows the following principles

7. The Alliance for Technology Access Principles: People with disabilities have the right to maximum independence and participation in all environments, without barriers. · Technology can be harnessed to diminish or eliminate environmental barriers for people with disabilities. · People with disabilities have the right to control and direct their own choices, and the right to access the information they need in order to make informed decisions according to their goals and interests. · People with disabilities have the right to employ assistive technologies, strategies for implementation, and necessary training support to maximize their independence and productivity.

8. The School of Public Health and Health Professions The school of public health and health profession’s provides information on assistive technology (AT) used by children with disabilities ages 5-11: The school of public health and health profession’s provides information on assistive technology (AT) used by children with disabilities ages 5-11: Assistive technology is beneficial because if you have students in your classroom that are non-verbal, blind or have specific learning disabilities, you might have to accommodate teaching to that specific population. Assistive technology is beneficial because if you have students in your classroom that are non-verbal, blind or have specific learning disabilities, you might have to accommodate teaching to that specific population. This website shows examples of different assistive technology choices. One particular device is called a DynaMyte, which is a portable communication device that can be used to communicate with other individuals. The student points to the particular picture and the device repeats the message. This website shows examples of different assistive technology choices. One particular device is called a DynaMyte, which is a portable communication device that can be used to communicate with other individuals. The student points to the particular picture and the device repeats the message. Another example of assistive technology is called a page-turner. A page- turner operates by letting the student have free hands so they can solely concentrate on the book. The page turns when the student hits a button. Another example of assistive technology is called a page-turner. A page- turner operates by letting the student have free hands so they can solely concentrate on the book. The page turns when the student hits a button. These are two examples of why this website is so great for teachers and administrators. The page-turner and the DynaMyte are both inexpensive devices and both promote independent learning for special education students. These are two examples of why this website is so great for teachers and administrators. The page-turner and the DynaMyte are both inexpensive devices and both promote independent learning for special education students.

9. Education World This particular site is terrific for all teachers, but its Special Education section is great for giving tips and lesson plans to special education teachers. This particular site is terrific for all teachers, but its Special Education section is great for giving tips and lesson plans to special education teachers.Special EducationSpecial Education The reason this website is particularly valuable to my research topic is because there is an activity called Weird Letters. The reason this website is particularly valuable to my research topic is because there is an activity called Weird Letters. Weird Letters is an activity that is geared to help students recall numbers and letters that don’t look familiar. Weird Letters is an activity that is geared to help students recall numbers and letters that don’t look familiar. Another useful lesson plan for students with learning disabilities is to have them read the newspaper. Another useful lesson plan for students with learning disabilities is to have them read the newspaper. Lastly, the site gives great information on inclusion and mainstreaming students into a classroom. Lastly, the site gives great information on inclusion and mainstreaming students into a classroom. Below is a picture of a computer and headphones so that special needs students can listen while doing their work. Below is a picture of a computer and headphones so that special needs students can listen while doing their work.

10. Next Up Next Up is a website that provides information about a software called text aloud that is used in different special education classrooms. Next Up is a website that provides information about a software called text aloud that is used in different special education classrooms. A special needs classroom is filled with different learning levels. A special needs classroom is filled with different learning levels. To accommodate every individual teachers are now putting more technology into the special education setting.. To accommodate every individual teachers are now putting more technology into the special education setting.. This program reads out loud everything that goes on a computer from opening documents to music. This program reads out loud everything that goes on a computer from opening documents to music. The reason I chose this website as one of my top sites is because it empowers students with learning disabilities to become autonomous. The reason I chose this website as one of my top sites is because it empowers students with learning disabilities to become autonomous. Students with dyslexia, other reading difficulties or visual impairments are no different, but for them it can be very difficult to benefit from the Internet. Students with dyslexia, other reading difficulties or visual impairments are no different, but for them it can be very difficult to benefit from the Internet.

11. The SEAT Center- Special Education Assistive Technology The SEAT Center focuses on teaching administrators as well as teachers a hands approach to teaching technology to special education students. The Seat Center actually provides training on Assistive Technology, which can drastically change a student’s outlook on education. One of the reasons this website is excellent is because you might purchase this new technology but without the skills on how to teach it to students, it will not benefit anyone. Below is the mission of Seat Center:

12. The SEAT Center- Special Education Assistive Technology * * Center of innovation where knowledge and practices regarding technology are created, integrated and disseminated to present and future primary, secondary and higher education professionals and people with disabilities and their families. *Center of instructional excellence where students, practicing teachers, and educational professionals can learn and practice technology solutions available for use in school, work and community. *Center of accessible technology solutions needed by Illinois State students with disabilities to be successful in their university experience. *State, national and international partner with education and industry in creating and sharing instructional, training, and support resources for educational professionals who are preparing students to be world citizens.

13. Conclusion In the future when I become a special education teacher there are certain things that I will be prepared for. The five websites that are included in this paper are helpful for all special education teachers looking to advance their technology in the classroom. The five websites that are included in this paper are helpful for all special education teachers looking to advance their technology in the classroom. Assistive Technology is a great and inexpensive way to help out children with learning disabilities. Assistive Technology is a great and inexpensive way to help out children with learning disabilities. Closing remarks Closing remarks Closing remarks Closing remarks

14. Appendix Following are links to the files that were used for this report: Following are links to the files that were used for this report: Internet Address Book Internet Address Book Internet Address Book Internet Address Book Research Excerpts File Research Excerpts File Research Excerpts File Research Excerpts File Research Report Research Report Research Report Research Report Assignment One Assignment One Assignment One Assignment One