SLIDE 1 April 9, 2016 Presented by: Rahila Chughtai Alana Shields- Barker Andrew Barker
Using Assistive Technology to Improve Student Outcomes
SLIDE 2 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
- pen doors to previously inaccessible
learning opportunities for many children with special needs (Judge, 2001).
SLIDE 3 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
SLIDE 4
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 flexibility: rule-bound, black and white thinkers
SLIDE 5 Why use technology?
Reprinted with permission from Karina Barley, M.Ed. from her presentation “Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy” www.digitallearningtree2.com/
SLIDE 6 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.”
SLIDE 7
- Sam an 11yr old with GDD and
ASD
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
SLIDE 8
Sam’s Communication Book
Student Profiles: Sam
SLIDE 9
Student Profiles: Sam
Understanding money was a challenge …
SLIDE 10
Student Profiles: Sam
...but with the right tools, it transformed to a real life skill!
SLIDE 11
- 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?
SLIDE 12
- 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
SLIDE 13 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
SLIDE 14 Scans, completes & submits worksheets
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
SLIDE 15
- 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?
SLIDE 16
- 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
SLIDE 17
Expresses his wants and needs
Student Profiles: Nick
“I want pancakes”
SLIDE 18
Socializes with peers
“play with me!”
Student Profiles: Nick
SLIDE 19
Student Profiles: Nick
Expresses his feelings and emotions
“I feel sick” “I am hurt”
SLIDE 20 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
SLIDE 21
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
SLIDE 22 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
SLIDE 23 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
SLIDE 24
...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
SLIDE 25 Reprinted with permission from Karina Barley, M.Ed. from her presentation “Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy” www.digitallearningtree2.com/
SLIDE 26 “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
SLIDE 27
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....
