Jean+Venturi

Dr. Wu March 3, 2008**
 * jean Venturi

Increasing Access to the Curriculum through Assisstive Technology
Thanks to technology, students with physical and mental challenges have access to thousands of devices to help make learning easier. I chose to use my homepage as a resource for students to use who want a basic introduction to assistive technology.

=== Assistive technology is not about addressing what a person can't do with their disabilities. It's about making best use of what they can do in order to accomplish their goals and realize their dreams. Thus when working with people who have disabilities, I try to focus more on their abilities, not their disabilities, because ultimately this is what will allow us to create an effective solution. ===

=== I have a great deal of respect and admiration for people who accept the challenges Life has dealt them and who find the resolve to not let those challenges get in the way of living. Disabilities, especially serious ones, have got to rank among the most daunting of obstacles. I consider it a great privilege to help individuals find the means to face those obstacles, and overcome them. ===

I have listed 5 websites that contain information on technology integration classrooms and assistive technology for future teachers.
1. [|www.enablemart.com] Hundreds of assistive devices. Quality reviews & information. 2. [|www.sspdirect.com/techforschools] O ur Desktop & Portable Magnifiers Can Help Your Kids Succeed. 3. ElectronicWhiteboardsWarehouse.com I nteractive Boards, Plasma Displays, Tablet & Copy boards on Sale. 4. [|www.comfyland.com/specialneeds] let your child reach his full potential with comfy keyboard system. 5. [|www.unitedtty.com] Assistive Technology for the deaf and hard of hearing from United TTY Sales and Service. Find TTYs, door/phone/fire alarm signalers, clocks, listening systems and amplifiers. I have also included 3 additional websites that students can use for literacy and content area learning. Individuals with learning disabilities may have difficulty auditorily processing information. For example, they may have difficulty following more than one direction at a time, misunderstand what is being said, have problems discriminating between similar words and various letter sounds, and need information repeated. Following is a list of assistive technologies that can help make auditory tasks less difficult. - Pressure-sensitive paper is carbonless paper that allows the user to tear off copies of classroom lecture notes to share with a fellow student whose note-taking abilities may be weak. - Individual FM amplification devices are designed to isolate and amplify a single sound source, such as the voice of an instructor, thus reducing the effects of distractive noise. The system includes a teacher-worn transmitter and a student-worn receiver; it enhances auditory discrimination and auditory attention by improving listening conditions and attention levels.
 * 1) [|www.starfall.com/] A free ** website ** to teach children to read. Perfect for kindergarten, first grade, and second grade. Contains exciting interactive books and phonics games.
 * 2) [|www.readingonline.org] Contains descriptions of links to ** websites ** that ** literacy ** educators should find useful.
 * 3) [|www.readfaster.com] A list of great ** websites ** that promote reading and ** literacy ** education. These ** websites ** can be helpful for many people look and find listing s that they find interesting.

- Laptop computer can be used for notetaking.

- Electronic notebook is a smaller compact version of a personal computer and can be used anywhere, anytime to take notes, produce information on disc, etc.

- Small word processor can be used for notetaking and later plugged into a home computer for simple transfer of material.

- Variable speech control tape-recorder (VSC) can help the individual who has difficulty processing speech; it enables the user to play back audiotaped material at a slower or faster rate than it was initially recorded without the loss of intelligibility/voice quality. Increasing the playback rate is helpful when reviewing lecture notes, as well as for practice in strengthening listening skills; the option to decrease the rate is helpful in re- listening to taped textbooks, etc. - Basic tape-recorders/audio-cassette recorders are a helpful means of recording classnotes and, in the workplace, instructions given by one's superior; also, tape-recorders are required to play back taped books. Listening to a taped textbook while following along the same material in printed form is an effective multisensory approach to learning.

- Books on disc, loaded onto a computer with voice output which is produced through voice synthesizer (see Reading Section), provide multisensory input (auditory strengthened with visual input) for the user with auditory processing problems.

- CART (Computer-Aided Realtime Translation) is used in group meetings, such as workshops, classroom settings, on-the-job training; a reporter types into a machine that is connected to a computer, and the computer simultaneously displays the information on a computer monitor or projects it onto a large wall screen. As referenced above, multimedia/multisensory approaches that combine audio and visual are particularly effective when working with individuals with learning disabilities, e.g., reading machines that combine visual and voice output/voice synthesizer, video tapes, video tapes that include closed-captioning, taped textbooks used in conjunction with printed textbooks, and talking keyboards. It should be noted that all videos can be captioned or subtitled. My commitment to assistive technology was revealed last year when I observed an inclusion classroom use assistive technology for a student who through his IEP qualified for a reading program. The district set up kurzweil in our classroom. The kids were immediately attracted to it. Even though one student qualified to integrate it into the curriculum, the teacher had other plans. The teacher who believes in the power of technology in the classroom decided to make Kurzweil available to the whole class. The teacher created an individual daily contract that every child had to complete during the morning language arts schedule. The students were at all different reading levels so each student's contract had different objectives; however they all had to complete a lesson on kurzweil. The kurzweil station was situated in the middle of the class and each student had a turn. They were able to adjust kurzweil to there own reading speed, stop and have a word explained to them and reread passages. The ability to individualize the lesson gave the students and opportunity to control their educational reading style. I observed 5tht grades take control of their academic environment. Each student was respectful of Kurzweil and to each other. When one student learned something new about kurweil they were proud to share the knowledge. It was so empowering for them. Empowerment is an important lesson for students with disabilities; it enables students with disables to take control of their learning. I observe this happen in that classroom that day and it had a lasting impression on me. I left wondering way a reading program was not part of every classroom. I services the most disable student to the gen. ed student. Technology like this invites gen ed students into the world of assistive technology made for students with disabilities. And that’s a good thing. Wiki spaces have been a nice surprise for me. When I was introduced to it I was immediately overwhelmed by it. However, I used it a lot and learning it was quiet easy for me. I was able to view my classmates work. Talk with them and get advice and clarity on work that was assigned. I can see how teacher could use this as a way to communicate to each other and share information easily and conveniently. I plan to use this homepage as my introduction for the livetext. Assistive technology is not about addressing what a person can't do with their disabilities. It's about making best use of what they can do in order to accomplish their goals and realize their dreams. Thus when working with people who have disabilities, I try to focus more on their abilities, not their disabilities, because ultimately this is what will allow us to create an effective solution. Think of assistive technology as a bridge between the functional abilities an individual has and what they want to do but cannot due to a disability. I have a great deal of respect and admiration for people who accept the challenges Life has dealt them and who find the resolve to not let those challenges get in the way of living. Disabilities, especially serious ones, have got to rank among the most daunting of obstacles. I consider it a great privilege to help individuals find the means to face those obstacles, and overcome them. I have listed 5 websites that contain information on technology integration classrooms and assistive technology for future teachers. 1. [|www.enablemart.com] Hundreds of assistive devices. Quality reviews & information. 2. [|www.sspdirect.com/techforschools] O ur Desktop & Portable Magnifiers Can Help Your Kids Succeed. 3. ElectronicWhiteboardsWarehouse.com I nteractive Boards, Plasma Displays, Tablet & Copy boards on Sale. 4. [|www.comfyland.com/specialneeds] let your child reach his full potential with comfy keyboard system. 5. [|www.unitedtty.com] Assistive Technology for the deaf and hard of hearing from United TTY Sales and Service. Find TTYs, door/phone/fire alarm signalers, clocks, listening systems and amplifiers. I have also included 3 additional websites that students can use for literacy and content area learning. Individuals with learning disabilities may have difficulty auditorily processing information. For example, they may have difficulty following more than one direction at a time, misunderstand what is being said, have problems discriminating between similar words and various letter sounds, and need information repeated. Following is a list of assistive technologies that can help make auditory tasks less difficult. - Pressure-sensitive paper is carbonless paper that allows the user to tear off copies of classroom lecture notes to share with a fellow student whose note-taking abilities may be weak. - Individual FM amplification devices are designed to isolate and amplify a single sound source, such as the voice of an instructor, thus reducing the effects of distractive noise. The system includes a teacher-worn transmitter and a student-worn receiver; it enhances auditory discrimination and auditory attention by improving listening conditions and attention levels. - Laptop computer can be used for notetaking. - Electronic notebook is a smaller compact version of a personal computer and can be used anywhere, anytime to take notes, produce information on disc, etc. - Small word processor can be used for notetaking and later plugged into a home computer for simple transfer of material. - Variable speech control tape-recorder (VSC) can help the individual who has difficulty processing speech; it enables the user to play back audiotaped material at a slower or faster rate than it was initially recorded without the loss of intelligibility/voice quality. Increasing the playback rate is helpful when reviewing lecture notes, as well as for practice in strengthening listening skills; the option to decrease the rate is helpful in re- listening to taped textbooks, etc. - Basic tape-recorders/audio-cassette recorders are a helpful means of recording classnotes and, in the workplace, instructions given by one's superior; also, tape-recorders are required to play back taped books. Listening to a taped textbook while following along the same material in printed form is an effective multisensory approach to learning. - Books on disc, loaded onto a computer with voice output which is produced through voice synthesizer (see Reading Section), provide multisensory input (auditory strengthened with visual input) for the user with auditory processing problems. - CART (Computer-Aided Realtime Translation) is used in group meetings, such as workshops, classroom settings, on-the-job training; a reporter types into a machine that is connected to a computer, and the computer simultaneously displays the information on a computer monitor or projects it onto a large wall screen. As referenced above, multimedia/multisensory approaches that combine audio and visual are particularly effective when working with individuals with learning disabilities, e.g., reading machines that combine visual and voice output/voice synthesizer, video tapes, video tapes that include closed-captioning, taped textbooks used in conjunction with printed textbooks, and talking keyboards. It should be noted that all videos can be captioned or subtitled. Technology in education articles. www.aimstar.knowbility.org www.exceptionalcomputing.com My commitment to assistive technology was revealed last year when I observed an inclusion classroom use assistive technology for a student who through his IEP qualified for a reading program. The district set up kurzweil in our classroom. The kids were immediately attracted to it. Even though one student qualified to integrate it into the curriculum, the teacher had other plans. The teacher who believes in the power of technology in the classroom decided to make Kurzweil available to the whole class. The teacher created an individual daily contract that every child had to complete during the morning language arts schedule. The students were at all different reading levels so each student's contract had different objectives; however they all had to complete a lesson on kurzweil. The kurzweil station was situated in the middle of the class and each student had a turn. They were able to adjust kurzweil to there own reading speed, stop and have a word explained to them and reread passages. The ability to individualize the lesson gave the students and opportunity to control their educational reading style. I observed 5tht grades take control of their academic environment. Each student was respectful of Kurzweil and to each other. When one student learned something new about kurweil they were proud to share the knowledge. It was so empowering for them. Empowerment is an important lesson for students with disabilities; it enables students with disables to take control of their learning. I observe this happen in that classroom that day and it had a lasting impression on me. I left wondering way a reading program was not part of every classroom. I services the most disable student to the gen. ed student. Technology like this invites gen ed students into the world of assistive technology made for students with disabilities. And that’s a good thing. Wiki spaces have been a nice surprise for me. When I was introduced to it I was immediately overwhelmed by it. However, I used it a lot and learning it was quiet easy for me. I was able to view my classmates work. Talk with them and get advice and clarity on work that was assigned. I can see how teacher could use this as a way to communicate to each other and share information easily and conveniently. I plan to use this homepage as my introduction for the livetext.
 * Thanks to technology, students with physical and mental challenges have access to thousands of devices to help make learning easier. I chose to use my homepage as a resource for students to use who want a basic introduction to assistive technology. **
 * 1) [|www.starfall.com/] A free ** website ** to teach children to read. Perfect for kindergarten, first grade, and second grade. Contains exciting interactive books and phonics games.
 * 2) [|www.readingonline.org] Contains descriptions of links to ** websites ** that ** literacy ** educators should find useful.
 * 3) [|www.readfaster.com] A list of great ** websites ** that promote reading and ** literacy ** education. These ** websites ** can be helpful for many people look and find listing s that they find interesting.