Assistive Technology

ISTE Standards

Standard 1.3. Visionary Leadership: Advocacy

Standard 1.4. Visionary Leadership: Innovation and Change

Standard 3.3. Digital Age Learning Environments: Online and Blended Learning

Standard 3.4. Adaptive and Assistive Technology

Standard 3.6. Digital Age Learning Environments: Selecting and Evaluating Digital Tools and Resources

Standard 4.2. Professional Development and Program Evaluation: Professional Learning

Standard 4.3. Professional Development and Program Evaluation: Program Evaluation

ISTE Standard 1.3. Visionary Leadership: Advocacy

The Lynnfield Public Schools declares it as its mission to “provide resources (personnel, current technology, current instructional materials) to enhance teaching and learning for each student.” This is very much in line with the implementation of AT.

Assistive Technology (AT) helps students with special needs do something they might not otherwise be able to do without that technology.

There are many types of disabilities that might require AT.

Vision

Thinking

Movement

Remembering

Learning

Hearing

Mental Health

Social Relationships

Communicating

History

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paved the way for people with disabilities in regards to discrimination. ADA states that people with disabilities cannot be discriminated against for reasons related to their disabilities.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), enacted in 2004, took ADA further ensuring that people, especially students, get the AT they need to succeed.

How do students get the AT they need?
Evaluation, IEP, Accommodations/Modifications
Standard 1.4.
Visionary Leadership: Innovation and Change

Advocating for AT

• Anyone can advocate for AT (parents, teachers, etc.)
• If an IEP is already in place, the IEP team is responsible, with an AT consultant, for choosing & monitoring AT
• If no IEP is in place, evaluation of student begins the process towards AT, learning modifications or accommodations.

Selecting AT

AT can be very helpful in aiding a student with a disability. However, just as every student has an IEP, every student might benefit from different AT, even with similar disabilities.


Standard 1.4. Visionary Leadership: Innovation and Change

High-tech AT (iPad) is not always better than low-tech AT (pencil grip)

Finding the right tool in the AT assessment process has not only to do with the disability, but also the child’s learning style, the type of classroom and the task at hand.

The student should be using the AT to reach learning goals and constant evaluation of this must be done.

Do we have AT at Summer Street School?

Everyday we use...

• Glasses, Hearing Aids, Student iPads
• Microphones & Red Cat Speak Systems
• Bouncy & Rocking Chairs
• Pencil Grips, Manipulatives
• Apps, Websites & Tools for Differentiated Instruction
• Anything that helps a child with his/her learning goals!

It's your turn!
Turn to a partner and think of five examples of AT used to help students reach reading goals.

Standard 3.3. Digital Age Learning Environments: Online and Blended Learning

Examples we use currently:

• MobyMax Website (leveled vocabulary and comprehension)
• RazKids Reading App (Reads to student, students records reading, leveled)
• Audio Books/Playaways from MC to supplement core novels

What other AT tools are available?

AT and Chrome

AT & Chrome
https://goo.gl/SOH0P


Standard 3.6.
Digital Age Learning Environments: Selecting and Evaluating Digital Tools and Resources

Untitled Slide

Please work with a partner to try one of the accessibility tools offered in Chrome.


4.2. Professional Development and Program Evaluation: Professional Learning

Let's share

• How easy it was for you
• How students might benefit
• Any other thoughts or concerns?

Final comments, questions or concerns?

Please take 5 minutes to take a brief survey on today's presentation. The survey has been shared via email.
Link: https://goo.gl/lEMGIZ

Standard 4.3 Professional Development and Program Evaluation: Program Evaluation

Alex Caram