Assistive Technology in the Classroom

One of the challenges of teaching today, is being able to reach all of the students. This becomes more of a challenge in a class with where there is a wide range of learning needs. Not all students learn the same; therefore, to be an effective teacher it is essential to adapt the curriculum to address all types of ability levels. Technology, combined with different teaching methods, strategies, and materials, can be used to help design a more inclusive classroom.

It is important to understand that if a child is struggling with comprehending an idea or concept, it is the curriculum rather than the student that is disabled. (www.cast.org/publications/UDLguidelines /version 1.html#intro) A non-flexible curriculum deprives students of learning opportunities because it doesn't create room for alternative teaching methods to adapt to the range of learning, auditory, motor, or sensory disabilities. Just as detrimental, it also fails to meet the needs of advanced learners and students that have lost interest in school. If a teacher fails to address the diversity of learning needs in their classroom, then ultimately they are failing their students.

However, assistive technology coupled with alternative methods can be used to effectively provide students with the information that they need. Some examples of useful technology that can benefit students include: the Alphasmart, Type to Learn, the Lomak, the Tango, as well as programs like Read Please, and Start to Finish books. The Alphasmart can be used to help students improve their writing and spelling skills. Typing is an important skill that all students need to learn. The Alphasmart and a typing program like Type to Learn can be used to assist students struggling with basic coordination and typing skills. The Lomak is another devise that assists a student with typing if the student cannot control their arms, hands, or fingers, a fine motor skill. A great devise that is a very important for children, who struggle with autism or other disabilities that interfere with their ability to communicate, is the Tango. The Tango allows the students to not only become engaged in the classroom and talk to their peers, but it also allows those students to ask academic related questions. These are all great high tech devices that make learning easier for kids that have a physical disability that interferes with their learning. Despite the benefits of advanced assistive technology, one of the drawbacks is that it is very expensive and many schools have a limited budget to spend which makes it difficult to get this technology into the hands of the students.


However, there are some more simple, lower tech devices that can be helpful. These include things like manipulative tools, like a cardboard "pizza" cut into slices to help students visualize math. Students with motor control issues can benefit from using a large pencil grip to help with writing, or a Touchscreen to navigate a computer screen. Books on tape can be used to help students with reading troubles and dyslexia to follow along in a story. Start to Finish books can be used to assist advanced readers who read at a faster rate with less assistance from the teacher.

Although these are only a few of the many different types of assistive technology that can be used, there are hundreds more. These types of technology not only help students with different learning types and ability levels, but it also helps students become excited and interested in learning. Many times children lose interest in learning because they become frustrated with how they are being taught. However, if they have a curriculum that is tailored to meet their needs with the use of assistive technology, then they will feel better about learning and become excited about it once again. If we as future educators can meet the needs of the students with assistive technology and teaching methods then we can motivate them and get them engaged in learning. Students that love learning, that can be seen as a success.