Assistive Technology - Teri Hopkins

Assistive Technology for special needs students

Messmer, Andrea, "Students with Learning Disabilities: The Effectiveness of Using Assistive Technology" (2013). Education Masters.Paper 293.

Summary

• The definition of assistive technology is any piece of equipment, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or iporve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
•  Assistive technology serves two major purposes:  1. To augment an individuals strengths ~ thereby counterbalancing the effects of the disability.  2.  To provide an alternative mode of performing a task.
• The main feature of assistive technology is the fact that it can make it easier for students with or without disabilities to learn together.  One type of assistive technology is text-to-speech (TTS) software.  This will help children who have difficulties reading standard print.  It can benefit students with many different vision problems and several disabilities, including autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
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Assess

·         Messmer carries a MS in Special Education, which I believe makes her highly qualified and has clearly defined many points in this article regarding the importance of use and benefits of assistive technology.

·         The author seems to have thoroughly examined the effectiveness and need of AT (assistive technology) in the classroom, and whether they correspond to the need of each student.

·         Messmer also points out the importance of each special need attendant or all teachers of the classroom be very qualified and knowledgeable of all assistive devices.

Summary

This video from Simply Said shows great examples and explanation of how and why assistive technology is important.  It points out who would benefit from the devices.

Assess

The video depicts the importance of all who will benefit from assistive technology.  I also gives leads on where to find specific places in certain areas where one can research how and where to find the information.

Reflection on assistive technology

The article and video both show clear conclusions of the importance of assistive technology.  The article points out many devices and also makes note of how the educators should be well informed and up to date.  It is important for educators to continue to integrate their classrooms.  As the video states, it is easy for educators to be able to foster that integration.  I found that it is amazing to know how many devices can be so assistive for children with just about any special need or challenge they may have.