Standard 3.4:Adaptive and Assistive Technology
Candidates facilitate the use of adaptive and assistive technologies to support individual student learning needs.
Artifact: Assistive Technology Presentation
Reflection:
The Assistive Technology Presentation was composed during the summer of 2015 as a part of ITEC 7445. For this assignment, I observed one of my students that received special education services to determine if he would be eligible for assistive technology. This presentation presents suggestions for a student who struggles to write legibly.
As I was developing this plan, I studied the resources available for students. Once I saw what was available, I began to think about the students who might benefit from using these adaptive and assistive technologies. After facilitating meeting with school personnel, we decided that the student would benefit from Dragon software, which would allow him to dictate his writing to the computer. This would not only improve the way he communicates, but the way the teachers read and understand his writing. Additionally, it allows this child to meet the goals in his IEP including, "Student will write a five paragraph essay."
Before studying assistive technologies in school, I had very little knowledge about what was available to my students. I certainly did not realize that the school was mandated to provide any and all materials necessary to help the student achieve success. This was a positive learning experience for me and has changed the way I think about my students who receive special education. Each year, I am looking to make sure I am providing every service to my students that they need.
Assistive technology mainly affects our special education students-which is a large population of our building. However, it is also very beneficial for teachers to know. Be familiar with assistive technology laws and developments ensures that teachers are compliant to a child's IEP. In the future, I would like to introduce our staff to assistive technology by implementing a professional development session. During this session, I believe it would be very powerful to review our rosters and discuss if there are services we should be providing to our students.
Reflection:
The Assistive Technology Presentation was composed during the summer of 2015 as a part of ITEC 7445. For this assignment, I observed one of my students that received special education services to determine if he would be eligible for assistive technology. This presentation presents suggestions for a student who struggles to write legibly.
As I was developing this plan, I studied the resources available for students. Once I saw what was available, I began to think about the students who might benefit from using these adaptive and assistive technologies. After facilitating meeting with school personnel, we decided that the student would benefit from Dragon software, which would allow him to dictate his writing to the computer. This would not only improve the way he communicates, but the way the teachers read and understand his writing. Additionally, it allows this child to meet the goals in his IEP including, "Student will write a five paragraph essay."
Before studying assistive technologies in school, I had very little knowledge about what was available to my students. I certainly did not realize that the school was mandated to provide any and all materials necessary to help the student achieve success. This was a positive learning experience for me and has changed the way I think about my students who receive special education. Each year, I am looking to make sure I am providing every service to my students that they need.
Assistive technology mainly affects our special education students-which is a large population of our building. However, it is also very beneficial for teachers to know. Be familiar with assistive technology laws and developments ensures that teachers are compliant to a child's IEP. In the future, I would like to introduce our staff to assistive technology by implementing a professional development session. During this session, I believe it would be very powerful to review our rosters and discuss if there are services we should be providing to our students.