Using high-tech tools in special education

Research scientist Leah Zitter looks at the benefits of using virtual reality and augmented reality with students who have special needs, highlighting examples of the technology in classrooms and noting improvements to gear and design to assist students. VR and AR can boost motivation and enjoyment for students through gamefication and improve communication skills and social interactions, she writes.  Full Story: Tech & Learning

Ask the Tech Expert

Each month, Dr. Tracy Gray answers selected questions from teachers, students, and other users regarding effective use of educational technology.
Below are the newest questions answered by Dr. Gray.

• What are some technology resources that can help adult learners with print disabilities?
• How can I evaluate the accessibility of an instructional resource?
• What is the difference between AT and Universal Design for Learning?
• Does technology have to be "dedicated AT" in order to be considered or funded?
• How do I pay for assistive technology?

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY AND TRANSITION GUIDES AVAILABLE ONLINE FROM PACER

PACER’s Simon Technology Center has developed ten new guides geared to helping transition-age youth select and use Assistive Technology (AT) to succeed and thrive in college, at work, and in their day-to-day lives. Access this invaluable information through PACER’s partner, the Center on Technology and Disability (CTD).

Conversations About Including Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology (AT) is constantly evolving to provide more support for students with disabilities. In TIKES: Conversations about Including Assistive Technology, the PACER Center offers details about the federal laws regarding AT and helpful strategies that parents and professionals can use to advocate for AT in IFSP or IEP meetings. Ultimately, in school and beyond, AT helps bridge the educational gaps and enables student to be more successful in the classroom and within the community.

Amazon Echo Part 3: whats the difference between Amazon Echo, Dot, & Tap?

Amazon came out with three amazing products, the Echo, Dot, and Tap that all have on thing in common – Alexa Voice Service. By activating the feature users access music, information, news, sports scores, weather, and more. There is a growing number of smart home devices and applications that work with the Echo, Dot and Tap that are opening doors to greater possibilities for everyone, especially for people with physical disabilities that limit them from using their arms and legs. Check out Amazon Echo Part 1: a consumer product with huge assistive technology potential! and Amazon Echo Part 2: Echo + IFTTT = A match made in the Internet of Things to learn more.

It is important to know the difference between the three devices in order to match the right device features to the end user’s needs. This is essential factor to consider, especially if funding is limited.    Continue Reading...

A World of Assistive Technology

Whether it is explaining complex topics in easy-to-understand language, demonstrating assistive technology solutions, or featuring role models with assistive technology, this blog has videos of personal examples and valuable information on how assistive technology can improve the lives of people with disabilities in transition and throughout the lifespan. Enter a World of Assistive Technology from the PACER Simon Technology Center's video playlists. Check it out Click HERE

Including Assistive Technology (AT) in the IFSP or IEP

Assistive technology (AT) is important for many children with disabilities, but it isn't always clear how to document this need in the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individualized Education Program (IEP).  In this live and web-streamed event, families, teachers, and other professionals will learn how to be intentional about the process of considering AT and ensuring it is included in the IFSP or IEP.

Date: January 25, 2016  Time: 6:30 - 7:30 Central Time  Register - http://www.pacer.org/forms/workshops.asp?wksp=F7C76527-3AF9-43B3-860A-1357C732D751

Reading with Snap&Read Universal

Do you, your child, or your student understand text content when it is read aloud or modified into simpler language, but have difficulty reading independently? Snap&Read Universal is one of the many options available that can read aloud, or in other words provide text-to-speech for, digital reading content. In addition, Snap&Read Universal provides the ability to adjust the complexity of the digital reading content. Sometimes what appears as digital text is instead an image of text that is not readable by a text-to-speech program; Snap&Read Universal has the ability to capture a screenshot of that text image and convert it to readable text. Snap&Read Universal is available for Windows, Mac and Google Chrome.

Digital Devices, New Programs to aid Special Education

Technologies that can help students with disabilities -- ranging from robots to new tablet applications -- were presented at the International Society for Technology in Education conference. This article spotlights several innovations such as Robots4Autism -- 2-foot-tall robots that help students with autism practice social communication skills. eSchool News (free registration) (7/22)  http://www.eschoolnews.com/2014/07/22/special-education-innovations-564/

Study: Use of handheld touch devices benefits children with autism

The use of handheld touch devices, namely Apple's iPod Touch and iPad, in classrooms was associated with mild to substantial improvements in the communication skills of children with autism spectrum disorder, a study showed. The children's levels of motivation, attention spans and social interaction increased after using the technologies, researchers reported at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association. PhysiciansBriefing.com/HealthDay News (8/1)   http://www.physiciansbriefing.com/Article.asp?AID=678704

IPads can inspire changes in teaching, learning

The iPad has transformed the learning experience for many students who struggle in other settings, writes Ben Johnson, an education consultant, online teacher and learning coach. In this blog post, Johnson shares inspirational stories of students who have benefited from using iPads in the classroom, including typically nonparticipating high-school students who actively take part in online discussions and a student with a short attention span who diligently worked on a task on the device. Edutopia.org/Ben Johnson's blog (12/10) http://www.edutopia.org/blog/ipad-strategies-struggling-learners-ben-johnson

Adaptive tricycle helps Calif. kindergartner explore her world

Riding an adaptive tricycle has motivated Stephanie Mayorga, a 5-year-old in San Jose, Calif., to work harder during physical therapy sessions. The Freedom Concepts Discovery Tricycle is helping Stephanie move and explore the world independently for the first time, and her therapy efforts have improved her ability to stand unassisted and increased her flexibility. "Riding the bike is the only experience that she has where she can move her body and get that effect," said Santa Clara County special-education teacher Lois Lieu. San Jose Mercury News (Calif.) (free registration) (11/27) http://www.mercurynews.com/holidays/ci_22068675/wish-book-girl-tries-out-an-adaptive-tricycle

Microsoft Commits $500 Million to Create Opportunities for Youth

 

Microsoft has launched an initiative to address the growing “opportunity gap” for some three hundred million youth in more than one hundred countries, including fifty million in the United States, over the next three years. Through the YouthSpark initiative, Microsoft will invest a total of $500 million, from both new and existing funds, in youth programs around the world and will launch three new citizenship programs.  http://www.microsoft.com/about/corporatecitizenship/en-us/youthspark/

■Robot is designed for teaching social skills to children with autism

The Pittsburgh startup Interbots has created a robot named Popchilla, which is designed to be used with children who have autism spectrum disorders. The robot features human-like facial expressions that can be controlled by a parent, teacher or therapist, and can help children with autism practice social interactions. "We want to use Popchilla to help those children with their social skills and interacting with real people," said Michael Knight, Interbots' chief technical officer. FastCoExist (9/25)

Parents tout benefits of iPad for learning of child with disabilities

Fourth-grade student London Mabie, who has developmental disabilities, has learned new reading, writing and life skills since she began using an iPad tablet computer two years ago. "We saw a huge acceleration in gaining life skills that had before taken her years to do using traditional methods," said her mother, Liz Mabie. London's parents have also set up a blog to increase collaboration among their daughter's therapists and teachers, and created a website -- www.connectedchild.net -- to highlight the benefits of the technology for learning. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (8/14)  http://www.ajc.com/lifestyle/mobile-device-helps-teach-1499163.html

Students w/ disabilities face obstacles to school technology

Students who have disabilities face barriers to accessing emerging technology such as learning management and student information systems being used at many universities and colleges. "It is a matter of civil rights and basic inclusion," said Dianne Hengst, director of disability services at the University of Texas at San Antonio. "The highest unemployed population in the world is the disabled, so it is important to provide everyone with the same opportunity to be successful." San Antonio Express-News (8/13)  http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/education/article/Access-to-high-tech-a-challenge-for-students-with-3783116.php

Apple may unveil textbooks made for iPads on Thursday

• Apple is expected on Thursday to take a step closer to fulfilling co-founder Steve Jobs' vision of displacing classroom books with tablets. The company will likely introduce textbooks for its iPad tablets, along with publisher partnerships and technology aimed at enabling the tablet user to interact with the content. The Wall Street Journal (1/17)  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203721704577159163902420548.html?mod=dist_smartbrief

Focus of Assistive Technology is Expanding

The universal design trend in assistive technology is focusing on creating devices that cater to students with a wide range of special needs. Schools should look at the technology already available to them, such as accessibility settings built into the Macintosh operating system. If additional technology is needed, research by education-technology groups can provide guidance. However, some caution not to overlook individuals with severe challenges through the use of universal design products. Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (8/24)  http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/08/24/01edtech-assistivetech.h31.html?tkn=NQCEoT3VoDM50MOkMKtNKjJd8n89UIRsy1zQ&cmp=clp-sb-edtech