Adaptive/Assistive Technology for Students with Special Needs
There are many adaptive/assistive technologies available for students with special needs. These technologies are constantly changing and improving the learning environments for those students. As technology continues to evolve, it holds great potential for the flexible, instructional support necessary for meeting the evolving learning needs of students with disabilities (Roblyer & Doering, 2013).
Students with Cognitive Difficulties
WRITE: OutLoud
Write:OutLoud is a talking word processor. It allows auditory output so that a student can immediately receive feedback on the words written. This program provides an auditory and visual clue when a word is misspelled. A talking spell checker is available and will read the word choices to students when a word is spelled incorrectly. Font sizes can be changed.
Students can write and edit stories using Write:OutLoud. When the story is ready to be presented, non-verbal students can have the program read the story to the class. Teachers can create templates that preset font size, color, and page layout and format to increase efficiency of student writing.
Write:OutLoud is a talking word processor. It allows auditory output so that a student can immediately receive feedback on the words written. This program provides an auditory and visual clue when a word is misspelled. A talking spell checker is available and will read the word choices to students when a word is spelled incorrectly. Font sizes can be changed.
Students can write and edit stories using Write:OutLoud. When the story is ready to be presented, non-verbal students can have the program read the story to the class. Teachers can create templates that preset font size, color, and page layout and format to increase efficiency of student writing.
Kidspiration
Kidspiration builds reading, writing, and thinking skills through the use audio, video, and text. Students can create thought webs and other graphic organizers to mold and solidify their thinking about a topic. Also, topics with interactive activities are available for students to explore. Audio support is available, and students may export their work to Microsoft Word and other programs.
Students can create mind maps when introducing new content. Using Word Guide for weekly vocabulary study is an effective way for students to make connections to the new words. Students may also work independently on Kidspiration-created activities that support phonemic awareness, phonics, word recognition, and comprehension.
Kidspiration builds reading, writing, and thinking skills through the use audio, video, and text. Students can create thought webs and other graphic organizers to mold and solidify their thinking about a topic. Also, topics with interactive activities are available for students to explore. Audio support is available, and students may export their work to Microsoft Word and other programs.
Students can create mind maps when introducing new content. Using Word Guide for weekly vocabulary study is an effective way for students to make connections to the new words. Students may also work independently on Kidspiration-created activities that support phonemic awareness, phonics, word recognition, and comprehension.
Students with Physical Difficulties
Intellikeys
Intellikeys is an alternative keyboard that assists in the communication of students with physical difficulties. The keyboard is flat and can be customized. The configuration of the keys can be changed by sliding different overlays on top of the keyboard. Overlay Maker can be used to create custom overlays that can adjust the size of the keys and add images.
Alternative keyboards make it easy for students with motor difficulties to access keys and be engaged in learning. Keyboards can be customized with overlays for any topic area to increase student participation and success. Teachers can create custom overlays for different subject areas to include content specific words so that students can participate in discussions using content-specific vocabulary.
Intellikeys is an alternative keyboard that assists in the communication of students with physical difficulties. The keyboard is flat and can be customized. The configuration of the keys can be changed by sliding different overlays on top of the keyboard. Overlay Maker can be used to create custom overlays that can adjust the size of the keys and add images.
Alternative keyboards make it easy for students with motor difficulties to access keys and be engaged in learning. Keyboards can be customized with overlays for any topic area to increase student participation and success. Teachers can create custom overlays for different subject areas to include content specific words so that students can participate in discussions using content-specific vocabulary.
Dragon Naturally Speaking
Dragon Naturally Speaking turns talking into text and "can make virtually any computer task easier and faster". Voice commands can control the computer to use and control programs.
Students that have limited motor skills can use this program to control their computer and the programs that are on it. Using Dragon Naturally Speaking for story writing is beneficial to students. Stories might flow easier with the ability to speak the story instead of having to type out each word.
Dragon Naturally Speaking turns talking into text and "can make virtually any computer task easier and faster". Voice commands can control the computer to use and control programs.
Students that have limited motor skills can use this program to control their computer and the programs that are on it. Using Dragon Naturally Speaking for story writing is beneficial to students. Stories might flow easier with the ability to speak the story instead of having to type out each word.
Students with Sensory Difficulties
Bookshare
Bookshare is a free program, supported by the United States Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. The website states that it is "the world’s largest online library of accessible reading materials for people with print disabilities". Free memberships are available for US schools and US students that meet certain qualifications.
Students with vision difficulties can use this as a resource to download and read books. Free readers are included so that students can access the content. Students may print out a hard copy of a book in braille with a braille embosser.
Bookshare is a free program, supported by the United States Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. The website states that it is "the world’s largest online library of accessible reading materials for people with print disabilities". Free memberships are available for US schools and US students that meet certain qualifications.
Students with vision difficulties can use this as a resource to download and read books. Free readers are included so that students can access the content. Students may print out a hard copy of a book in braille with a braille embosser.
JoinMe
JoinMe is a screen sharing service that gives students with low vision an up close view of the image seen on the SMART Board on their own device, such as an iPad or a laptop. Teacher creates a link when starting JoinMe and shares it with the student. Student clicks through to that link to see the screen on their device.
Students with low-vision can use JoinMe at their seat so they may see the screen clearly. Screen shots can be taken so that students may look back at content. Students may also participate in a class discussion using the SMART Board and ask a question privately to the teacher using features in JoinMe.
JoinMe is a screen sharing service that gives students with low vision an up close view of the image seen on the SMART Board on their own device, such as an iPad or a laptop. Teacher creates a link when starting JoinMe and shares it with the student. Student clicks through to that link to see the screen on their device.
Students with low-vision can use JoinMe at their seat so they may see the screen clearly. Screen shots can be taken so that students may look back at content. Students may also participate in a class discussion using the SMART Board and ask a question privately to the teacher using features in JoinMe.
At-Risk Students
Lexia Reading Core5
Lexia Reading Core5 is available to provide to students scaffolding of content, immediate feedback, and explicit instruction to improve reading skills. Each student has his/her own goals and works independently in a sequential manner. These Common Core-aligned activities include instruction of basic skills in phonics, comprehension, and vocabulary.
Students can work independently on Lexia to receive support in foundational reading skills. Based on the data that is collected as the student works in the program, the teacher will target specific areas of need and instruct the student in that area.
Lexia Reading Core5 is available to provide to students scaffolding of content, immediate feedback, and explicit instruction to improve reading skills. Each student has his/her own goals and works independently in a sequential manner. These Common Core-aligned activities include instruction of basic skills in phonics, comprehension, and vocabulary.
Students can work independently on Lexia to receive support in foundational reading skills. Based on the data that is collected as the student works in the program, the teacher will target specific areas of need and instruct the student in that area.
BrainPOP, Jr.
The BrainPop, Jr. website provides animated videos for various topics in the elementary curriculum. These videos are aligned with state educational standards. Users can take quizzes to monitor their own learning.
Students are given links to interactive videos when needing additional support in a subject area. There is a nice variety of literacy-based topics: story elements, phonics, reading skills, word recognition, and comprehension to name a few. When students view the video, they have the ability to pause, rewind, or restart if necessary. The colorful, animated videos are appealing to students.
The BrainPop, Jr. website provides animated videos for various topics in the elementary curriculum. These videos are aligned with state educational standards. Users can take quizzes to monitor their own learning.
Students are given links to interactive videos when needing additional support in a subject area. There is a nice variety of literacy-based topics: story elements, phonics, reading skills, word recognition, and comprehension to name a few. When students view the video, they have the ability to pause, rewind, or restart if necessary. The colorful, animated videos are appealing to students.
Gifted & Talented Students
Google Apps for Education
Google Apps, such as Docs, Sheets, and Slides, are available free of charge. These Apps can be used to create content individually or collaboratively. If work is created collaboratively, students can work on a project in real time together while on separate computers.
Gifted and talented students can show what they know by utilizing Google Apps. A Google Slides presentation can be created to share information from a recent research report. Students can collaboratively work on creating a writing assignment through the use of Google Docs. They can be given the choice of what to create using these Apps.
Google Apps, such as Docs, Sheets, and Slides, are available free of charge. These Apps can be used to create content individually or collaboratively. If work is created collaboratively, students can work on a project in real time together while on separate computers.
Gifted and talented students can show what they know by utilizing Google Apps. A Google Slides presentation can be created to share information from a recent research report. Students can collaboratively work on creating a writing assignment through the use of Google Docs. They can be given the choice of what to create using these Apps.
Skype in the Classroom
Skype in the Classroom allows students and teachers to connect with others outside of their classroom through voice and video chatting. A webcam, microphone, and an internet connection are required to make these audio/visual connections.
Students can collaborate with others on a research project, connect with an expert in their area of interest, or take a virtual field trip anywhere in the world. After communicating with others or experiencing a virtual field trip, students will share that knowledge with others through writing or an oral presentation.
Skype in the Classroom allows students and teachers to connect with others outside of their classroom through voice and video chatting. A webcam, microphone, and an internet connection are required to make these audio/visual connections.
Students can collaborate with others on a research project, connect with an expert in their area of interest, or take a virtual field trip anywhere in the world. After communicating with others or experiencing a virtual field trip, students will share that knowledge with others through writing or an oral presentation.
Resource:
Roblyer, M.D. and Doerling, A.H. (2013). Integrating educational technology into teaching (6th Ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
Roblyer, M.D. and Doerling, A.H. (2013). Integrating educational technology into teaching (6th Ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.