Kelly Ahers in "Building an Assistive Technology Toolkit" states that the goal of AT services is to build "toolkits" that instill "independence and confidence in students with special needs" (2011, p. 22). Ahers then goes on to explain that many services are free or are provided by many operating systems such as Windows Vista and Apple's Snow Leopard (a bit outdated, but I'm sure Yosemite has kept and improved upon these technologies). So many features on our OS are low tech and yet help a great deal. This includes magnification, narration, changing the text size, keyboard shortcuts as well as on screen keyboards. There are also more advanced options like speech recognition.
A particular type of AT I found interesting were the technologies that allowed students to progress into higher education. In the film "How Assistive Technology Enables Dreams," Lukas Bratcher hopes to go to college on a music scholarship. His hopes can become a reality due to his specially made Euphonuim horn that accommodates for his condition, amyoplasia arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. As his music teacher says in the film, Lukas's talent and will to play the Euphonium horn was always there. It was AT that enabled him to interact with his environment that would allow him to showcase that talent and dedication. This is also true for Susanna Sweeney-Martini and the kindergarten class in the film. For the kindergarten class and Susanne, their AT devices assisted with their exceptional learning conditions. From voice recognition to enlarged text, whatever their need, AT helped satisfy it.
AT provides more equitable access in all learning activities for students with exceptional learning needs. In his article "As I See 'AT,'" Daniel Cochrane addresses this point: "...the traditional concept of disability locates the problem entirely in the person rather than seeing the disability as a result of the transaction between a person and his/her environment. AT doesn't change the person, it changes the person's interaction with the environment" (2014, p.36). Cochrane's explanation really is an eloquent and succinct way of putting it. Access to this types of assistive technology is imperative not only for students but also for teachers. Even an entry level of understanding of AT can help pinpoint possible areas where students require AT. I was very ignorant of how many resources there are already built into our computers. Just from reading and watching these few sources I have already increased my awareness and now know possible technologies students with needs can use.
Resources:
Ahrens, K. (November 2011). Building an assistive technology toolkit. Learning & Leading with Technology. 39(3). Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learningandleading
Cochrane, D. (March/April 2014). As I see "AT": Mind the AT-IT overlap. Learning & Leading with Technology. 41(6). Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learningandleading
How assistive technology enables dreams. (2005, February 5). Retrieved at http://www.edutopia.org/assistive-technology-enabling-dreams-video
I agree that assistive technology allowed Lukas to play the Euphonium horn, there is no doubt in my mind that without the help of AT, students like Lukas would not be able to discover their passion. Assistive technology did not make things easy for Lukas it simply allowed him to learn how to play his instrument in a different way. It was expressed in one of the videos that some students have brilliant minds and talents, all they need is the tools to showcase them.
ReplyDeleteI too was uneducated in special education when I started working as a substitute teacher. It took me time to learn that every student is different and has different needs. Assistive Technology also helps teachers because it provides tools that can help students learn in their own way. Teachers need to be educated in assistive technology so that they are aware of what is available to better help students interact with their environment.
Haha! We just think alike that's why (^-^) It's so nice that computers today come set up with all these accessibility features. I feel like even just watching youtube videos and stuff we could receive a lot of good information on how to make life easier for our students by customizing the interface of the computer. I really want one of those swiss-army knife mouses lol
ReplyDeleteThe computers really should offer better voices in the dictate mode... I mean with all of the technology that is out their, for example Hatsune Miku ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUcjaaEq8zI ) you think that they would have nicer sounding voices available... Ok, I'm annoyed that I cannot hyperlink... Blogger and I are not getting along.... lol
It worked!
DeleteGina I really enjoy how you discuss Assistive Technology from three different perspectives. The quote from the Cochrane article really highlights the goal of AT and what it means to the student. AT is meant to help a special needs student succeed in their learning environment.
ReplyDeleteI also really look forward to watching "How Assistive Technology Enables Dreams" sometime this week and hopefully gaining the insight you seem to have gained from it. Thank you again for the three perspectives.