Assistive Technology in Special Education Essay - 592 Words

By law, public school systems are responsible for providing each and every student with a disability with a free and appropriate public education. When IDEA was passed, increased emphasis was placed on where and when students with disabilities were educated. Because of this, the focus became access to classrooms and assistive technology was emphasized. AT has a very important role in the educational world. It is used constantly in special education and throughout the IEP process to assist and benefit students with disabilities In order to thoroughly understand the significance of assistive technology in special education, it is important to understand what an IEP is. An IEP is a mandated document for public schools called an†¦show more content†¦It includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities. It also includes the process used in selecting, locating, and using them. AT promotes greater independence by enabling people to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to accomplish, or had great difficulty accomplishing, by providing enhancements to, or changing methods of interacting with, the technology needed to accomplish such tasks. An example of assistive technology is IntelliKeys. It is a keyboard much larger than a standard computer keyboard that has interchangeable overlays depending upon the activity. This technology can help a student that is visually impaired or even delayed in reading or writing. Instead of having individual letters a child can type using pictures and themes. This allows a child to communicate their thoughts without the handicap of language or spelling. Another example of assistive technology is the HeadMouse Extreme. This device replaces the standard computer mouse for people who cannot use or have limited use of their hands when controlling a computer or alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) device. The HeadMouse translates natural movements of a users head into directly proportional movements of the computer mouse pointer, so as the user moves their head the mouse pointer on the screen also moves. The HeadMouse has a wireless optical sensor which tracks a tiny disposable target that is worn by the user in a convenientShow MoreRelated How Can Assistive Technology Benefit Preschool Special Education Students?1387 Words   |  6 PagesHow Can Assistive Technology Benefit Preschool Special Education Students? The inclusion of special needs children with typically developing peers has become a key service option in preschool special education classrooms (Odom, 2000). Benefits abound, yet inclusion does not present without challenges. Young children with disabilities find it complicated to interact with objects and peers due to obstacles that their disabilities present. A child unable to speak too often goes unheard. StudentsRead MoreAssistive Technology1683 Words   |  7 Pages| Assistive Technology Evaluation | EDU 620 Meeting Individual StudentNeeds With Technology Instructor: Deborah Naughton | | Rhonda Reed | 11/20/2013 | | Assistive Technology Evaluation Assistive technology evaluation must be in an initial or three year reevaluation. In addition, to the assistive technology is that it’s an ongoing process which is driven by a lot of changes in the student needs, but not limited to the participation, access, curriculum, or environmental changesRead MoreHealthcare Educational Resources Paper week 4812 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿1. Identify the assistive technologies available to special needs populations in Illinois? 2. What types of assistive technologies are available? 3. What healthcare educational resources are available to special needs populations? 4. Does Illinois provide a comprehensive database of services and technologies available? 5. How do special needs populations’ access services in Illinois? 6. What additional assistive technology is available that is not currently used in Illinois? What are the challengesRead MoreAssistive Technology Essay1440 Words   |  6 Pagespresent society places technology on a high pedestal. This pedestal contains all of the hi-tech, yet sophisticated gadgets, gizmos, and all of the other novel items that are inundating our households. Items such as computers and cell phones enable us to communicate via e-mail, text message, and video (Stodden, Roberts, Picklesimer, Jackson Chang, 2006). Innovative items may be taken for granted but if we understand their significance and how they help us live in a technology driven and dependentRead MoreTeacher Training Of Assistive Instructional Technology939 Words   |  4 PagesTeacher training in assistive instructional technology (AIT) has been a topic of discussion that has heightened with the drive for differentiated instruction. Although, research has been extensively conducted on pre-service trai ning, not much research has indicated the success of teacher training in assistive instructional technology for in-service experienced teachers (Edyburn, 2014). In an attempt to advance the science in the field of leadership and educational administration in relationship toRead MoreTechnology And High Tech Technology1197 Words   |  5 Pages Technology has played an integral role in our everyday life. It can increase efficiency at work, improve the quality of life, and serves as a helpful tool that allows us to accomplish many tasks that we might not be able to otherwise. It has found its way into nearly everyone’s home in various forms such as: a computer, medical equipment, and security system. Some people might even go as far as claiming that they cannot live without it. When parents hear of â€Å"technology† in the classroom, they immediatelyRead MoreCollaborative Learning Community : Supplemental Services Essay964 Words   |  4 PagesSupplemental Services Essa y When it comes to transitional services, the law requires a great deal of focus and effort be put into the services that are provided to special education students in the classroom. Below, we will summarize what the law requires when it comes to Occupational Therapy, Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Assistive Technology, and Transition Services. Occupational Therapists within the school system are there to aid the IEP team and student. The goal is to help the student to performRead MoreMeaningful Pedagogy: Evaluation of Learning Goals and Targets914 Words   |  4 PagesAbstract - For the last few decades, pedagoglical theory has undergone a number of paradigm shifts. As the classroom changes, so does the theorietical structure behind it diversity, technology, globalism all contribute to the need to find a robust way to communicate learning activities, to help students move beyond rote understanding, and most especially a way to evaluate progress that is meaningful to not only their personal success, but to the needs of the contemporary school system in its continualRead MoreThe Importance Of Assistive Technology1477 Words   |  6 PagesOver the last decade technology has become such an important aspect in life. The push towards having technology in your hands at all times has made its way into the classroom also. This cl early started with the use of a computer and being able to find what you want quickly instead of having to go through a very large library to find one important sentence to use for your essay. Laptops, tablets, smart devices, projectors, and many more devices biggest advancement helping students in the classroomRead MoreShould Assistive Technology Be Disabled Students With Disabilities Education Act ( Idea )812 Words   |  4 PagesIndividuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 1997 and IDEA 2004 provided disabled students with options for assistive technology in the classroom as well as assistive technology services. It is through these mandates that Individual Educational Plans (IEP) began to include assistive technology options. The IDEA 2004 â€Å"law mandates that assistive technology devices and services be provided to students with disabilities if the technology is essential for accessing education-related resources. (Dell