How technology helps special learners
As an educator, one comes in contact with a myriad of individuals. Some come from English speaking backgrounds, some do not. Some come from wealthy families, some do not. Some have full physical capabilities, some do not. Each child however, is full of equal potential.
In recent years, the implementing of technology in the school system has greatly benefited many children with special needs. There is legal legislation promoting the use of assistive technology or AT within the classroom. AT is any technological mechanism that helps a person. ATs can be implanted surgically or purchased on the shelf of you nearest retailer. Many are affordable to students, and they pay off for investing in many programs is remarkable.
In order to benefit widest span of individuals, the market is pushing for educators to own and operate AT devices so that one device might benefit more that one student. This change in distribution of product has been pushed especially forcefully for AT that will benefit children with milder disabilities such as ADD or ADHD. Those students with severe physical handicaps still benefit the most from individualized software and personalized systems. Therefore, one can see that if the educators are the ones being marketed for most AT in classrooms, training in AT is imperative!
I have personally witnessed all the unique things that technology can do for those students with disabilities. From voice recording systems, to Braille keyboards, to interactive computer learning games, technology is a great classroom tool.
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