Assistive Technology Tools

Assistive Technology Tools By: Ellie Rice EDN 303-801

Screen Reader – for the visually impaired • This Assistive Technology program allows someone who is visually impaired to understand what is being displayed on a computer screen by using pictures that they can better understand as well as sounds. • In the classroom this program would be helpful when students are doing station work at the computer. Many times I will use the computer in my room or in the computer lab to have them practice certain skills. A screen reader for a visually impaired student would be helpful and perhaps necessary.

Screen Reader – for the visually impaired In the Classroom

Close Circuit Magnification – for the visually impaired • This tool magnifies whatever is appearing on the computer screen so that it is easier to read. • This is a great tool that I think most classrooms should have. Many students, more than we assume, may have vision problems and this is something that could be helpful. I would use this when the students are supposed to be independently reading. I would use a program that has stories online or on the computer and use the close circuit magnification tool for my visually impaired students to still be able to participate in independent reading.

Close Circuit Magnification – for the visually impaired In the Classroom

Braille Translation Device – for the visually impaired • This assistive technology tool is for students who read by using Braille. What the device does is it takes the words on the computer screen and translates it into Braille so that the student can read. • A scenario where this could be useful in the classroom is when students are taking a test. Since the test I make will most likely be formatted on a computer I can print it out on paper for most of the students and for the visually impaired students, I can have them use this device so that they can do the test independently and still be able to understand all the directions in the way that is most comfortable to them.

Braille Translation Device – for the visually impaired In the Classroom

Adaptive Keyboard – for the developmentally/physically challenged • This device looks like a regular keyboard at first glance. However, to make it easier for a student who is developmentally or physically challenged, the letters on a keyboard are not organized the way they are on a typically keyboard. Instead, they are in alphabetical order. • I would use this for a student who was behind developmentally. It may be harder for some children to understand the concept of the letters being in a different order than they are in the alphabet they just learned so recently. To simply make it less stressful and time consuming for them I would have those students use an adaptive keyboard whenever they are doing computer activities.

Adaptive Keyboard – for the developmentally/physically challenged In the Classroom

Alternate Communication Devices – for the developmentally/physically challenged • This device helps people who have trouble communicating and interacting socially be able to communicate more effectively and easily. Many times people can’t understand what a child with Down’s syndrome or autism wants or why he or she is reacting a certain way. This device may be able to help that communication barrier in many instances. • I would definitely want to use this device in my classroom. A scenario for this tool could be if a student with Down’s is acting in one extreme way and the students or I do not know why or what to do, the student can use this device to better explain how he or she is feeling and why. This way the problem can be solved much more efficiently with hopefully less stress to the child.

Alternate Communication Device – for the developmentally and physically challenged In the Classroom

Adaptive Student Desks – for the developmentally or physically challenged • These are desks that can be adjusted to fit the needs of the student using it. Typically, these adaptive desks are used for children who are developmentally challenged or neurologically impaired. • A scenario where this device could be used in a classroom is if students are supposed to be sitting quietly at their desks doing work, reading, or taking a test. For students who are neurologically impaired and may, for example, not be able to sit up well the desk can be adjusted to work better for them and to help them be comfortable as well.

Adaptive Student Desk – for the developmentally or physically challenged In the Classroom

Personal Amplification Device – for the deaf and hard of hearing • This tool is almost like a microphone for the noise or voices going on around those who are deaf or hard of hearing. It can easily be used in classrooms for students who are hard of hearing to better hear what the instructor is saying when other distracting or interfering noises might be going on. • I would have my hard of hearing students use this most of the day if possible. In my future classroom there will be a mixture of teacher-led instruction as well as lots of group work. The amplification device would probably be necessary in both of those types of learning.

Personal Amplification Device – for the deaf or hard of hearing In the Classroom

Audio/Visual Communication Devices – for the deaf or hard of hearing • This device is especially helpful for deaf or hard of hearing students who have relied heavily on lip-reading for communication. The device would be worn by the teacher and the closer up picture of her mouth/face would be displayed on a screen for the student to see. • Although it may seem a little awkward to wear something like this, I think it is a great tool for teachers to use if they have a deaf student. I would use this probably only while doing teacher-led instruction up in front of the class. In small groups the hard of hearing student would be close enough to classmates to see their lips moving.

Audio/Visual Communication Device – for the deaf or hard of hearing In the Classroom

Voice to Text Translation – for the deaf or hard of hearing • This device can “hear” spoken words and translate them into text on a computer screen. This way students don’t have to try and hear a teacher or rely on lip reading; the words are provided on a easy-to-read screen in front of them. • I would also use this device mainly when I am leading instruction in front of the whole class. Another scenario where this tool could be used is while the class is reading or listening to a book either read by me, or from a website. This way the student doesn’t have to strain to listen but can read along.

Voice to Translation – for the deaf or hard of hearing In the Classroom

Resources • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXchQnJ6PoE • http://portal.sliderocket.com/APMJG/Assistive-Tech-in-the-Classroom-_-EDN303 • http://www.uncw.edu/ed/tech/edn303/EDN%20303%20Screens.html

Assistive Technology Tools