W H AT I S A SS I S T I V E T E C H N O L O G Y ?H O W C A N A SS I S T I V E T E C H N O L O G Y S U P P O RT O U R

S C H O L A R S ?W H AT A R E S O M E E XA M P L E S O F A SS I S T I V E

T E C H N O L O G Y T H AT I S E A S I LY A C C E SS I B L E T O S T U D E N T S ?

W H AT A R E E XA M P L E S O F A SS I S T I V E T E C H N O L O G Y T H AT I C A N U S E W H I L E T E A C H I N G

Assistive Technology

What is Assistive Technology?

Assistive technology is defined as, "any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially or whether off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of people with disabilities." 

Turn and Talk: What may you use as assistive technology to support your students?

What is Assistive Technology

Assistive technology can be very simple to support students to achieve his or her goals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=DB9pKkZoJDc

How can Assistive Technology Benefit my Scholars?

Assistive technology allows struggling learners the ability to access the general education curriculum

Many times students who are LD may struggle to interpret teacher-led discussions. Struggling scholars need time to work through with different variations of technology to problem solve and gain extra practice.

How can Assistive Technology Benefit my Scholars?

Allows struggling scholars to be more independent by asking for help

Improves the speed and accuracy of workReinforces effective classroom instruction

and strengthen skill developmentHelps students to 'fit in' with classroom

learning and routinesMotivates students with LD to set high goals

for themselves and to persevere

High-Tech Assistive Technology: iPads

iPads are a great piece of Assistive Technology that are easy and fun to use for students of all age.  There are several different apps on the iPad that are entertaining for students to use and can help them grasp difficult concepts in math.  

High-Tech Assistive Technology: iPads

Splash MathSplash Math Kindergarten app allows kids to get started with Math practice in fun way. Ideal for kids 3-6 years in age, it’s a superb math game for kids in preschool and kindergarten.

High-Tech Assistive Technology: iPads

Slate MathForms

foundation of numbers, writing digits, finding patterns, etc

This application has 38 activities that can be set for individual students

High-Tech Assistive Technology: Virtual Manipulatives

Virtual manipulatives can be used on a projector to support students understand mathematical concepts while keeping manipulatives organized. Manipulatives are offered grades Kindergarten

through Twelfth grade. Manipulatives can be accessed to support algebraic, geometry, measurement, data analysis, as well as number operations.

http://nlvm.usu.edu

High-Tech Assistive Technology: Illuminations

Students can play online math strategy games against players from all over the world.

Gives interactive lesson plans for teachers to use that are tied to Common Core Standards

http://illuminations.nctm.org

Mid-Tech Assistive Technology: Calculators

Students with math difficulties can use a calculator to overcome stumbling blocks in their problem solving.

Read “Beyond Getting the Answer” Turn and Talk: How can we effectively use

calculators in our classrooms?

Mid-Tech Assistive Technology: Time Timer

This tool helps students keep track of how much time they have left on a task.  It is useful in keeping students on focused while working on assignments and also for helping students see the value of time.

How can we use this in the classroom?

Low-Tech Assistive Technology: Manipulatives

Giving students something to work with their hands can help bring comprehension of the skill to life.

For whatever the subject- time, fractions, place value, geometry, there is a manipulative they can use.

How can we incorporate more manipulatives while instructing?

Low-Tech Assistive Technology: Pencil Grips

Even something as minor as a pencil grip can make your student's life easier.

If they are comfortable, they can focus more at the math problem at hand!

Your Turn!

We asked you to bring your current Mathematics Unit

You will need to: In pairs, identify a lesson that you can incorporate

Assistive Technology Identify a group of struggling scholars that will need

support How would you support these scholars throughout this

lesson using one or more pieces of assistive technology discussed

Display your knowledge on your anchor chart and be prepared to share!