Assistive Technologyin the Classroom

Session 4Assistive Technology that

Supports Learning

Intellectual Access Technologies

Presentation AgendaIntroductionPrinciples of Universal Design for Learning AT to support literacy and numeracyAT to support organization and executive

functioningLesson Design for Integrating AT

IntroductionAll students should have learning outcomes in their IEP appropriate to their level of cognitive abilityStudents with disabilities often have difficulty developing knowledge and skills in core areasAT can support knowledge and skill acquisition and it fits well with the principles of UDL

Think about this…What learning outcomes do your students have in their IEP?How does your team feel about the inclusion of learning outcomes for all students?

Universal Design for LearningSet of principles developed by CAST

Center for Applied Special Technology (www.cast.org)

Designed to help teachers develop curricula that is accessible to all students regardless of ability

“Provides a blueprint for creating flexible goals, methods, materials, and assessments that accommodate learner differences.” – CAST

Watch this…Universal Design for Learning is one of the most exciting changes in education in recent memory!Here is a short video that explains it…http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/udlguidelines

UDL Principles Multiple means of representation

Different ways of acquiring information an knowledgeMultiple means of expression

Different ways of demonstrating knowledge and understanding

Multiple means of engagementAccessing student interests, offer appropriate challenges and motivate them to learn

Key concept = flexibility

UDL Implications Provides intellectual and physical access to the curriculumChanges the role of Special EducatorCapitalizes on the flexibility and customizability of digital mediaSuggests the evolution of the role of assistive technology from individual adaptation for curriculum access to enhanced interaction with accessible curriculum

Try this… The web is FULL of helpful information on UDL and supporting all learnersSome of the best sites are blogs and wikis created by technology-using educatorsGreat source of up-to-date information

Teaching Every Student Blog

Break Time!

Digital Media TechnologiesDigital Media

Provides accessible curriculum for all studentsCustomizable to suit student’s individual needsExamples

Alternate and interactive bookseText and scanned booksWebsites

e.g. www.arc-bc.org

Instructional TechnologiesProvide individualized experiences for

Extra practiceDevelopment of skillsProblem solving

Usually include words, numbers, and graphicsShould be used in conjunction with traditional literacy and numeracy instruction

Assistive and InstructionalAssistive Technology

Assists individuals in completing tasks – students require AT because the task cannot be accomplished any other way even in a UDL classroom

Instructional TechnologyAssists students in acquiring information or skill. It is used for a period of time to acquire or reinforce knowledge or skills – used in most (including UDL) classrooms

Adapted from Scott Marfilius, 2006

Think about this… As an Educational Assistant, do you think your

role will change working in classrooms following UDL principles?

How will your support of students with disabilities change?

Barriers to LiteracyFor students with disabilities…

Negative attitudesLow expectationsLimited opportunitiesLimited means of accessing literacy and demonstrating understandingLimited time to adapt literacy materialsDecreased access to literacy opportunities

as student ages

Benefits of Literacy ProgramFor students with disabilities…

Self-esteem (being perceived as literate in a print world)Self-determinationIndependenceInformation gatheringAbility to organize aspects of daily lifeLearning and expressing knowledgeLifelong entertainment

Technology to Support LiteracyExamples (students who need graphics)

Boardmaker Plus (www.mayer-johnson.com) Balanced Literacy (www.intellitools.com)Clicker 5 (www.cricksoft.com)Classroom Suite (www.intellitools.com)

Technology to Support LiteracyExamples (text based)

SOLO (www.donjohnston.com)Kurzweil 3000 (www.kurzweiledu.com)textHELP Read ‘n Write (www.texthelp.com) WordQ/SpeakQ (www.wordq.com) AlphaSmart NEO / DANA (www.alphasmart.com)Fusion (http://www.writerlearning.com/)

Kurzweil 3000Probably the most common software found in schools to support struggling readers and writersFull featured program with many tools and options to support reading comprehension, written output and test/worksheet completionGo to www.kurzweiledu.com to request free trial

Break Time!

Numeracy ProgramsResearch and information on students with disabilities and numeracy very limitedUsually lumped together with literacySimilar assumptions for barriers and benefits

Software to Support NumeracyTend to focus on one or more of these categories…

Number concepts (numeration, place value, etc)ComputationGeometryAlgebraTime, money, measurementWord problems

Software to Support NumeracyExamples

Number concepts (www.intellitools.com)MathPad (www.intellitools.com)Big:Calc (www.donjohnston.com)

Software to Support NumeracyExamples

Scientific Notebook (www.mackichan.com)Money Skills (www.marblesoft.com)Time Scales (www.attainmentcompany.com)Classroom Suite 4 (www.intellitools.com)

Software to Support OrganizationExamples

Inspiration (www.inspiration.com) Kidspiration (www.kidspiration.com) Draft:Builder SE (www.donjohnston.com)

Software to Support Executive Functioning

ExamplesAbleLink Community Integration Suite (www.spectronicsinoz.com)StudyMinder Homework System (www.studyminder.com) iPod / iPad iPrompts(www.iprompts.com)

For More Information…Instructional and Assistive Technologies

Children’s Technology Review www.childrenssoftware.com

Educational Resourceswww.edresources.com

Bridges-Canadawww.bridges-canada.com

Freeware / SharewareMany freeware/shareware options to support student learning Blogs are a great source of up-to-date information on special education technologyJust one to get you started…

Free Resources from the Net for EVERY Learner(Paul Hamilton)

Break Time!

Lesson Plan ExampleTask

Read a page in a Social Studies textbook on the Feudal system and answer comprehension questions

Class composition21 students regular access7 students adapted access1 student modified access

Lesson Plan ExampleSteps

Create accessible text (scan in Kurzweil 3000)Create template for questions (teacher)EA learns activities to support in Sunburst Destination: Castle software programWork with teacher to plan lesson deliverySupport individual access to curricular content

Regular access – read text, answer questions on printed sheetAdapted access – read scanned text with auditory support, answer questions using talking word processor templateModified access – complete activity on castles in software program

Conduct assessment of lesson activities

Discussion ForumIn your small group, it’s time to select the assistive technology you think would best support your student’s IEP goalsReview the IEP goalsLook at the descriptions of each of the technologiesDecide which one(s) you think match the student’s needs

To think about…

If nothing every changed, there would be no butterflies.

Author unknown

Session Summary ActivityLink to Session 4 Summary ActivitySession 4 Summary Activity

Will be emailed to you after this session!

Any Questions?How are you feeling…?