Assistive Technology for the ESL Classroom

Tiffany Hoefer, M.Ed. CandidateUniversity of South Carolina Aiken

Every Student can Learn

Universal Design PrinciplesCAST Organization (www.cast.org)

Benefits all students

Equal access through barrier removal

Student control

Universal Design for Learning

Educational Extension of the Universal Design Movement

Incorporation of UDL Principles

Broader curriculum access

The Multiple Means

Representation

Student action

Student expression

Engagement

Students Choose How They:

Respond to lesson content

Demonstrate their learning

Learn

Students using different educational tools

Assistive Technology for Learning (ATL)

Specialized for a specific student

Addresses a specific disability

Not used by mainstream users

User qualifies as having disability

Life enhancing

Assistive Technology Continuum

No Tech

Low Tech

Medium Tech

High Tech

Is All Technology Assistive Technology?

Lines continue to blur between

Educational technology Instructional technologyAssistive technology

Technology Enhanced Solutions

Assorted Assistive Technology Devices

Implications for ESL

Multimedia

Animation – receptive and productive

Language mediation

Modified and differentiated curriculum

Translation tools

Implications for ESL (cont.)

Computer assisted language learning

(CALL)

Speech to Text

Text to Speech

Webcasts and podcasts

Generic “Must haves” Word processor

Internet browser

Typing / computer familiarity program

Learning Management Systems

Accessibility Options

Microsoft Accessibility Logo

Macintosh Universal Access Logo

Microsoft

Accessibility Wizard

Microsoft Magnifier

Microsoft Narrator

On Screen Keyboard

Macintosh

System Preferences, Universal Access Visual – Zoom, Background

Audio – Text-to-Speech

Keyboard – Numeric

Mouse – Speed, Sticky Keys, Slow Keys

Pod Casts

Audacityhttp://audacity.sourceforge.net

Ghost Readerhttp://www.assistiveware.com

Language Learning Software Developmental Scope and Sequence Language strands Networked and online versions Learning management systems Authoring capabilities

Remember

Every student should have the chance to learn