DOODADS AND THINGAMAJIGS

Low Tech in the classroom Brittany Cloutier

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY AND CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

Well managed classrooms allow for more time for engaged learning

Fewer disruptions and smoother transitions between activities result in more time for learning.

Assistive technology provides just that!

It provides teachers with supports for students to help engage learning and provides them access to their curriculum.

WHAT IS ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY?

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

“any item.”

Anything can be called Assistive Technology if it is used to “increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.”

Anything you can think of, ANYTHING, can be assistive technology.

Markers, blackboards, papers, rulers, protractors, Velcro, laminate, erasers, posters, or any other item you might find in a typical classroom can be considered AT.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICE

Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SERVICE

Any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.

This service includes selecting designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, or replacing assistive technology.

RESEARCH SUPPORTING AT

“Almost 30 years of research and experience has demonstrated that the education of children with disabilities can be made more effective by…supporting the development and use of technology, including assistive technology devices and assistive technology services, to maximize accessibility for children with disabilities.” (Bugaj & Norton Darr, 2010)

“Instructional technology, when used effectively can enable ways of teaching that better match how children learn.” (Sorrels et. al, 2004)

LEGISLATION GUIDES CURRENT ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

The foundation of Assistive Technology is the law that ensures students with disabilities will work to achieve goals while being provided a “free and appropriate education.”

Assistive technology has come into the public consciousness not only because of its practically but also as a result of federal legislation.

LEGISLATION GUIDES CURRENT ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Assistive Technology Act of 2004 Under this act the Department of Education provides

grants and funding to increase the

“availability of and access to assistive technology devices and services that will significantly benefit individuals with disabilities of all ages.”

FUNDING

Federal Funds may be used to support the use of technology

Includes technology with universal design principles and assistive technology devices

Used to maximize accessibility to the general education curriculum for children with disabilities.

POPULAR MISCONCEPTIONS SURROUNDING AT

Things that aren’t true:

The purpose of assistive technology is to help students become independent.

AT makes a teacher’s job easier. AT is just for students with severe disabilities/. I’m not tech savy enough to implement AT. Students with learning disabilities don’t need AT. AT is just for students with communication

difficulties. Only people with specialized training in AT can

provide AT services. AT is only computer stuff. Assistive technology always costs a lot of money.

LOW TECH TOOLS

Tools that fall into this category don’t require electricity to function.

Examples: Slant Boards Chalk Highlighters, Highlighter tape Pencil Grips Schedules Calendars Sticky Notes Footrests Picture symbols Index cards

Not a device- They are strategies!

MID-TECH TOOLS

Have some basic circuitry involved.

Examples: Lights Buzzers Vibrating switches Touch windows Basic environmental control units Portable word processors Static display communication devices

HIGH TECH-TOOLS

Also use batteries but they have also have some advanced circuitry involved.

Examples: Computers Purchased Software Dynamic display communication devices Communication devices Electronic portable desktop assistants

NO-TECH, LOW-TECH, MID-TECH, HIGH-TECH

I do not like this high-tech Sam. I do not like it Sam-I-Am.

I will not plug it in the wall. I will not try it if you call.

I will not insert the battery. It’s far too heavy for me to carry.

I do not want to hear it speak. That’s not the answer that I seek.

I do not care about the cost. Take it back, all hope is lost.

I will not, cannot, turn it on. I’ve said my piece so now be gone!

What is that you say? You think there is another way?

Something without electricity? Well, show me then, let me see!

It’s simple, it’s easy, it’s cheap, it’s free! Show me now, what can it be?

That’s it, that’s all, this tiny thing? Its ingenious, it’s clever, it’s amazing!

I can use this everywhere. In every place, from here to there!

Thank you so much for bringing it by. I’m so happy I could cry.

With this tool, this strategy, I’ll be a success, just wait and see!

INTERNET SAFETYPROTECTED KIDS BROWSER

Free software package

Developed specifically for children living with variants of autism spectrum disorders.

Offers games, activities, videos

Internet Safety-Zac Broswer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJGncJatGUg

INTERNET SAFETYSEARCH ENGINES FOR ACADEMIC

USESweet Search - "every web site has been evaluated by our research experts“

Kid Rex - "Safe search by kids, for kids!“

Fam Hoo - the "family friendly" search engine

Wolfram Alpha - the "computational, knowledge engine“

Google Scholar

COMMUNICATIONPICTURE SCHEDULES

What is currently happening; What is coming up next (the sequence of

events); When they are "all done" with something

Examples: object schedule, 3-ring binder schedule, clipboard schedule, manila file folder schedules, dry erase board 

COMMUNICATIONPICTURE SCHEDULES

Why are they important?

These supports help students understand the activities they are engaging in and help  manage any frustrations that are accompanied with academic work or  the students environment.

COMMUNICATIONSCHEDULES

Can be used for: Step by step directions

COMMUNICATIONPICTURE SCHEDULES

Behavior management:  visual representation of rules and alternative

behaviors allows children to improve self-regulation and self-management skills without needing the support of an adult.

COMMUNICATIONPICTURE SCHEDULES

If something is bothering me I can….

Examples:  raise my hand for help

close my eyes and count to 10

take 5 big breaths

ask for a break

COMMUNICATIONSOCIAL STORIES

Provide a child with the use of visual information/strategies to improve their understanding of various social situations and to teach them specific behaviors to use when interacting with others.

Written individually for each child.

COMMUNICATIONSOCIAL STORIES

FREE Online Library of Social Stories

Examples

WRITING TOOLSHOMEMADE PENCIL GRIPS

Building up and making pencils and pens larger allows students a easier grasp.

Materials needed: Pencil Model Magic Vaseline

WRITING TOOLS

For: • Children with limited fine motor control

• Large enough for the child to wrap their hand around and still color without breaking them

Chubby Crayons

WRITING TOOLSSLANT BOARD

Materials Needed: Congregated Cardboard Tape Velcro Scissors Pencil

Binder Slant board Materials needed:

3” ring binder Clips Hot glue gun

WRITING TOOLS

Adaptive Paper- line bumpers

Materials needed: Wikki sticks Paper

WRITING TOOLS

• Free online storytelling tool to engage struggling writers.

• Storybird works with word prediction and text to speech software. 

• Example

WRITING TOOLS Build A Word (IPAD)

Improve early literacy skills, including: print awareness, letter knowledge and comprehension.

.99

WRITING TOOLS

Math: Students can slide magnetic numbers into numerical

order, sort by odd or even status, add, subtract, multiply, divide, greater than, less than.

Language arts Students can use alphabet magnets to participate in

activities such as letter identification, matching uppercase and lowercase letters, or spelling tests.

Cookie Sheet Worksheet

WRITING TOOLSSTORY IT

Word Magnets Phonics reinforcement and sentence building exercise

READING TOOLS

Page Turners Use popsicle sticks

Page Bumperso Use Felt disks, clear bumpers

READING TOOLSLITTLE BIRD TALES

Encourages creativity and self expression Reinforces reading and writing skills

Example

READING TOOLSIPAD APPLICATION

BOB Books (IPAD)

READING TOOLS

READING TOOLSJEANIE BOOKS IN POWERPOINT

Decodable books for beginner readers Open in powerpoint FREE!

Example

MATH TOOLSIPAD APPLICATIONS

Number Fun Cost- .99 Helps children increase their mathematical ability,

drills and practice skills. Teaches basic skills in addition, subtraction,

multiplication, division

Talkulator Cost- free Speaks the numbers in 7 languages

Cost .99

Free

MATH TOOLSNUMBER STAMPS

Use rubber stamps for math activities instead of pencils.

ORGANIZATION

Highlighter Tape:

Highlight keys words in a text Color code agendas/assignments

Task break down board Clear colored ruler

Track print while reading

Timers Sticky notes

PLAY

Shower Curtain Ring Toy

BATTERY INTERRUPTER

Quickly adapt any battery-operated toy or device for switch use.

Who can benefit: Any child who has difficulty accessing a standard

battery operated toys on/off button.

Examples: child who us unable to see a button, can not physically push the button, or developmentally does not understand the concept of cause and effect.

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH THIS FISH GAME?

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

Questions to ask yourself when setting up your classroom surrounding Assistive Technology.

1.  Can the teacher see the monitors of the students who are using computers, other devices or supports at their desks?

2. Can students see the teacher at all times while they are using their technology?

3. Are frequently used AT tools readily accessible for the students who need them at all times?

4. Are AT supports placed in a location that is easy to get to for the student and does not take a large amount of time away from instruction?

5. Is the technology distracting to other students?

6. How do students make transitions to technology stations such as a  computer and do they know what materials to bring with them?

RESOURCES

1. Assistive Technology for Children with Autism. (n.d.).CESA #7 Special Education Services index. Retrieved April 12, 2011, from http://www.specialed.us/autism/assist/asst10.htmBattery Interrupter. (n.d.).Tech Tools List. http://www.assistivetech.sf.k12.sd.us/battery_interrupter.htm

2. Bugaj, C. R., & Norton-Darr, S. (2010). The Practical and Fun Guide to Assistive Technology. Oregon: International Society for Technology in Education.Byrne, R. (n.d.). Free Technology for Teachers. Tech. www.freetech4teachers.com/

3. "GenieBooks in PowerPoint."Auburn University. N.p., n.d. http://www.auburn.edu/~murra

3. Janowski, K. (n.d.). Free Technology Toolkit for UDL in All Classrooms. Wikispaces. http://udltechtoolkit.wikispaces.com/

RESOURCES4. Little Bird Tales - In the Forest. (n.d.). Little Bird Tales - Home. http://littlebirdtales.com/tales/view/story_id/6479/

5. Low-Tech Tools: Math Aids. (n.d.). At Basics. http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/Populations/LowTech/math.php

6. Sorrells, A. M., Rieth, H. J., & Sindlear, P. T. (2004). Trends and Issues in Instructional and Assistive Technology. Critical Issues in Special Education(pp. 205-225). New York: Pearson.

7. Robitaille, S. (2010). The Illustrated Guide to Assistive Technology and Devices. New York: Demos Medical Publishing LLC.

8. Social Stories. (n.d.). Region 2 Digital Lending Library Social Stories Information & Resources

http:/http://www.region2library.org/SocialStories.htm

RESOURCES

9. The Case Against Assistive Technology. (n.d.). You Tube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNs88Ki1WSo

10. Zac Web Browser Aims to Focus Autistic Kids. (n.d.). You http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJGncJatGUg