using assistive technology to improve student...
TRANSCRIPT
April 9, 2016
Presented by:
Rahila Chughtai
Alana Shields-
Barker
Andrew Barker
Using Assistive
Technology to Improve
Student Outcomes
Assistive Technology is any technology that helps a student with special learning needs maintain or improve his/her academic performance.
Assistive Technology
Its applications and adaptations can help open doors to previously inaccessible learning opportunities for many children with special needs (Judge, 2001).
Receptive / Expressive language ➢ Difficulty understanding & following group direction
➢ Difficulty understanding expectations
➢ Difficulty communicating what they know or understand
➢ Visual learners
Barriers to Learning
Sensory Processing ➢ Inability to focus due to over/under stimulation of senses
➢ Difficulty with handwriting and other motor activities
➢ Easily overwhelmed due to sensory overload, possibly
leading to meltdowns
Executive Function ➢ Difficulty in task initiation, sequencing and task completion
➢ Time management, self regulation and maintaining focus
can be challenging
➢ Lack of response inhibition
➢ Difficulty in working memory and organization
Barriers to Learning
Social skills and the hidden curriculum ➢ Reading non-verbal messages from teachers and peers
➢ Difficulty understanding unwritten rules and expectations
➢ Difficulty with flexibil ity: rule-bound, black and white
thinkers
Why use technology?
Reprinted with permission from Karina Barley, M.Ed.
from her presentation “Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy”
www.digitallearningtree2.com/
Reprinted with permission from Karina Barley, M.Ed.
from her presentation “Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy”
www.digitallearningtree2.com/
“Using the iPad (technology) purposefully with educational outcomes in mind elevates this technology to an educational tool that can be integrated into the curriculum.”
• Sam an 11yr old with GDD and ASD
• Struggles with executive functioning skills and receptive/expressive communication
• Gross motor and fine motor delays
• Has access to computer and iPad at home and school
Student Profiles: Sam
Sam’s Communication Book
Student Profiles: Sam
Student Profiles: Sam Understanding money was a challenge …
Student Profiles: Sam
...but with the right tools, it transformed to a real life skill!
• Now in charge of his communication between home
& school
• Learning new concepts and achieving at a level which was previously considered to be beyond his ability
• Building confidence through independence
• Participating in the school and community at levels previously considered beyond his ability
Student Profiles: Sam
How is technology helping Sam?
• Diagnosed at age 4: ASD (Asperger’s Syndrome), Sensory Integration Disorder
• Additional Diagnosis at age 12: ADD, Learning Disability
• Currently 19yrs old
• Attending Seneca College in Dual Credit Program .
• Accepted into CYW program at Seneca for the fall.
Student Profiles: Andrew
Fine motor skills + language comprehension challenge = OVERLOAD
Language comprehension + teasing out the actual math problem = OVERLOAD
Student Profiles: Andrew
Grade 5 Math: Introduction of language-based
problems created more Learning difficulties
Handwriting lengthy paragraphs for test questions Teasing the math problem out of the jumble of words
Scans, completes & submits worksheets on iPad
Student Profiles: Andrew
Executive Function Challenges Tech Support Solutions
Difficulty tracking assignments & due dates
Scanning, completing & printing worksheets was time consuming and teacher/EA dependent
Google Calendar helps him track important dates
Teacher uses Moodle program for the whole class
• Task planning is easier to break down
• Eliminated the stress and sensory overload
• Increased Autonomy and Independence
• Now has CHOICE - Completes 1500 word essays using both computer and handwriting
• Became Honours Student in Grades 11 and 12 consistently
Student Profiles: Andrew
How did Technology help Andrew?
• Nick, 10yr old boy with Autism
• Non-verbal and sensory seeker
• Not being able to communicate led to “behaviours”
• Uses Proloquo2Go on iPad at home and school
Student Profiles: Nick
Expresses his wants and needs
Student Profiles: Nick
“I want pancakes”
Socializes with peers
“play with me!”
Student Profiles: Nick
Student Profiles: Nick
Expresses his feelings and emotions
“I feel sick”
“I am hurt”
Student Profiles: Nick
How is technology helping Nick?
● Family, therapists and teachers now have an understanding of his abilities, and are able to teach and challenge him at his level
● Nick is not getting frustrated and has much less “behaviours”
● As he is able to communicate Nick can now focus on learning at school and socializing with his peers
Technological Supports: Computers
Word prediction & writing software helps students struggling with fine motor and writing
Text to Speech & Speech to Text software makes curriculum accessible for students with reading/writing
challenges
Graphic Organizers help visual thinkers create mind maps
Alternative Keyboards help students overcome visual, fine motor and reading/writing challenges
Notability
Scans handouts and converts to PDFs, which can be
completed by stylus or typing Book Creator
Create stories, social stories, learning new
concepts
Reminder
Use for daily, weekly reminders, homework
reminders, checklists, to do lists
iWordQ
Reading & writing app, offers word prediction, speech
feedback, document sharing, proof reading and reading
to learn assistance
Technological Supports: Tablets
Read2Go
Accessible ebook reader for Bookshare titles
Gives access to largest online library for people with disabilities
MathBoard
Configurable math app, for grades K to 7
Teaches addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
Pictello
Create social stories, visual schedules, write personal
narrative using pictures, create ebooks
Popplet
Capture and organize ideas, make visuals for clarity,
create mind maps
Technological Supports: Tablets
...must be an integral part of daily learning for students with special needs, always accessible and seamlessly integrated
Technology...
...does not replace social interaction and good teaching practices
Reprinted with permission from Karina Barley, M.Ed.
from her presentation “Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy”
www.digitallearningtree2.com/
“For people without
disabilities, technology makes
things easier. For people with
disabilities, technology makes
things possible.” Mary Pat Radabaugh Director IBM National Support Center for Persons with Disabilities, 1991
Micah and Mandy Klein
Robyn and Nicholas Senior
Andrew Barker
Karina Barley, M.Ed.
Jodi and Kyle Echakowitz
Anne Mason
Sherry Caldwell
Daniele Fiorindi
With Special Thanks to....