Assistive Technology in the Classroom Session 4 Assistive

Assistive Technology in the Classroom

Session 4 Assistive Technology that Supports Learning Intellectual Access Technologies

Presentation Agenda Introduction Principles of Universal Design for Learning AT to support literacy and numeracy AT to support organization and executive functioning Lesson Design for Integrating AT

Introduction All students should have learning outcomes in their IEP appropriate to their level of cognitive ability Students with disabilities often have difficulty developing knowledge and skills in core areas AT 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 Learning Set 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 knowledge Multiple means of expression Different ways of demonstrating knowledge and understanding Multiple means of engagement Accessing student interests, offer appropriate challenges and motivate them to learn Key concept = flexibility

UDL Implications Provides intellectual and physical access to the curriculum Changes the role of Special Educator Capitalizes on the flexibility and customizability of digital media Suggests 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 learners Some of the best sites are blogs and wikis created by technology-using educators Great source of up-to-date information Teaching Every Student Blog

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Digital Media Technologies Digital Media Provides accessible curriculum for all students Customizable to suit student’s individual needs Examples Alternate and interactive books e. Text and scanned books Websites e. g. www. arc-bc. org

Instructional Technologies Provide individualized experiences for Extra practice Development of skills Problem solving Usually include words, numbers, and graphics Should be used in conjunction with traditional literacy and numeracy instruction

Assistive and Instructional Assistive Technology Assists individuals in completing tasks – students require AT because the task cannot be accomplished any other way even in a UDL classroom Instructional Technology Assists 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 Literacy For students with disabilities… Negative attitudes Low expectations Limited opportunities Limited means of accessing literacy and demonstrating understanding Limited time to adapt literacy materials Decreased access to literacy opportunities as student ages

Benefits of Literacy Program For students with disabilities… Self-esteem (being perceived as literate in a print world) Self-determination Independence Information gathering Ability to organize aspects of daily life Learning and expressing knowledge Lifelong entertainment

Technology to Support Literacy Examples (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 Literacy Examples (text based) SOLO (www. donjohnston. com) Kurzweil 3000 (www. kurzweiledu. com) text. HELP Read ‘n Write (www. texthelp. com) Word. Q/Speak. Q (www. wordq. com) Alpha. Smart NEO / DANA (www. alphasmart. com) Fusion (http: //www. writerlearning. com/)

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

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Numeracy Programs Research and information on students with disabilities and numeracy very limited Usually lumped together with literacy Similar assumptions for barriers and benefits

Software to Support Numeracy Tend to focus on one or more of these categories… Number concepts (numeration, place value, etc) Computation Geometry Algebra Time, money, measurement Word problems

Software to Support Numeracy Examples Number concepts (www. intellitools. com) Math. Pad (www. intellitools. com) Big: Calc (www. donjohnston. com)

Software to Support Numeracy Examples Scientific Notebook (www. mackichan. com) Money Skills (www. marblesoft. com) Time Scales (www. attainmentcompany. com) Classroom Suite 4 (www. intellitools. com)

Software to Support Organization Examples Inspiration (www. inspiration. com) Kidspiration (www. kidspiration. com) Draft: Builder SE (www. donjohnston. com)

Software to Support Executive Functioning Examples Able. Link Community Integration Suite (www. spectronicsinoz. com) Study. Minder Homework System (www. studyminder. com) i. Pod / i. Pad i. Prompts (www. iprompts. com)

For More Information… Instructional and Assistive Technologies Children’s Technology Review www. childrenssoftware. com Educational Resources www. edresources. com Bridges-Canada www. bridges-canada. com

Freeware / Shareware Many freeware/shareware options to support student learning Blogs are a great source of up-to-date information on special education technology Just one to get you started… Free Resources from the Net for EVERY Learner (Paul Hamilton)

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Lesson Plan Example Task Read a page in a Social Studies textbook on the Feudal system and answer comprehension questions Class composition 21 students regular access 7 students adapted access 1 student modified access

Lesson Plan Example Steps Create accessible text (scan in Kurzweil 3000) Create template for questions (teacher) EA learns activities to support in Sunburst Destination: Castle software program Work with teacher to plan lesson delivery Support individual access to curricular content Regular access – read text, answer questions on printed sheet Adapted access – read scanned text with auditory support, answer questions using talking word processor template Modified access – complete activity on castles in software program Conduct assessment of lesson activities

Discussion Forum In your small group, it’s time to select the assistive technology you think would best support your student’s IEP goals Review the IEP goals Look at the descriptions of each of the technologies Decide 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 Activity Link to Session 4 Summary Activity Will be emailed to you after this session!

Any Questions? How are you feeling…?