Technology Options for Learners

Technology for Learners with Disabilities

Students with cognitive, learning, physical and sensory disabilities face a myriad of academic challenges specifically when it comes to learning math. These limitations used to affect the education performance and outcomes of children hence creating disparities with normal children. However, with the enactment of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 2004, children with various categories of disabilities are now benefiting from early intervention and special education services thanks to assistive technologies. 

The different classes of disabilities as defined by IDEA include autism, emotional disturbance, blindness, hearing impairment, intellectual disability, deafness, orthopedic impairment, traumatic brain injury, health impairment, special learning disability and speech or language impairment. 

Optical Character Recognition

Optical character recognition technology resource is meant for students with visual impairment as defined by the IDEA. It helps in the interpretation and reading of the text in the form of books and other learning materials using a scanner that uses digital and synthetic speech. Today, there are portable OCR devices that can be attached to scanners and computers hence improving the ability of blind students in their learning process.

Screen Readers

Screen readers software uses text to speech applications that help in the analysis of letters, sentences and words by converting them into digital and synthetic speech. It is now available in computer software packages such as word processing and other educational software programs in spelling, math, and reading. Using this resource, a student with a physical disability can n quickly adjust the pitch, speed and volume of reading materials in math. 

Augmentative Alternative Communication Devices

Augmentative alternative communication devices technological resources are specially designed to help students with speech and language disorders to be able to learn with ease. It enables students without speech or with a reduced speech in overcoming their communication problems by supporting and enhancing their speaking capability. Through this, they can easily participate alongside the nondisabled students in the learning process and get the instructions clearly (Hasselbring & Glaser, 2000).

Technologies for Advanced Learners

For advanced or gifted learners with unique gifts and learning capabilities, a different set of technology resources needs to be used by teachers. The instructional techniques and strategies used for this category of learners must involve the use of extensive and advanced learning resources. 

Online Resource Maker and Buddy Programs

Online resource maker and buddy programs enable advanced students to come up with online resources based on the specific subjects in which they are talented and gifted. With appropriate guidance from their teachers and instructors, these students get the opportunity to instruct other students and also enhance their learning at the same time. 

Also related to this is the buddy program that allows advanced learners to tutor and mentor fellow students. It involves the use of online learning modules and instructional websites (Renzuli & Reis, 2011). For math, there are also related advanced math programs and resource for gifted students. 

Mathematical Competitions

The online mathematical games competitions for advanced students helps students to learn in a challenging learning environment that influences them to be creative and innovative when solving math problems (Murray, Silver-Pacuilla, & Helsel, 2007) An example of such resources is the iPad math games for smartphones, Macs, and PCs. This resource enhances the ability of advanced students to excel in math as it helps in restating the mathematical concepts taught in a given portion. 

The online learning games involve the students completing different mathematical projects under the instruction and supervision of their instructors. This way, students who take part in such online competitions either in teams or individually can improve their problem-solving and analytical skills that are indispensable in a math classroom. 

Virtual Learning Environment

Virtual learning environment helps in the differentiation of teaching instruction for advanced learners. It involves merging information technology with education or learning materials for talented and gifted students. Through the VLE, advanced learners can use the internet to some up with technology-enhanced projects, scanned pictures, hyperlinks, online databases and video clips or drawings that can help in their understanding of subjects. It provides the advanced learners with an unlimited amount of instant information on various aspects and approaches for a particular topic besides enhancing their research skills. 

Technologies for Bilingual Learners

Interactive White Boards

Interactive white boards, according to Brozek and Duckworth (n.d), are technology resource hardware that helps in the presentation of multi, media lessons. They are also essential in enhancing the ability of students to participate in the learning process where there is more than one language of instruction.

Interactive whiteboards are advantageous while compared to the traditional chalkboard in that they help to preserve notes, save, post and print note files and also incorporate pictures or any other interactive features that promote learning for bilingual learners. 

Technology-Based Graphic Organizers

The graphics are tools used to represent information and ideas visually using maps that help in the assessment of students’ understanding of the subject and increasing their ability to recall what is taught. Graphics are also essential in communicating complex information or ideas as it incorporates both text and images that help in enhancing the learning process. 

These graphic elements assist in the reinforcement of relationships, vocabulary, and meanings. They also contribute to the reinforcement of grammar and spelling; make it possible to add comments and to gauge readability.

ESL Software

Such computer enabled software such as the native speaker software to provide an interactive platform for bilingual students or speakers to practice grammar and vocabulary. These ESL packages have the ability to use a combination of graphics and texts, and students can also create a content-appropriate language that enhances learning. For middle school level, such technology resources have graphic support programs that help in the simulation of writing and the creation of language specific to learners’ contexts.

How to Choose Technology Resources

With a plethora of technology resources available in the market, it is important for educators to make the best choice of resources that would enable and empower learners with diverse backgrounds. According to Tschirgi (2009), some of the factors that teachers and educational institutions should consider when selecting technology resources include the students’ achievement goals, availability of funding resources, equity, and accessibility by teachers, classroom conditions, and sustainability. For sustainability, the technology teaching resources should be broad in scope, apply to many subjects, be easy to integrate and use, and require minimal support and training. 

The technology resource should also have the capacity to provide student-centered and interactive learning experience. It should be designed in such a way that it takes into consideration the individual needs of students with different categories of disabilities. One should also choose technology resources that can easily be implemented and used by teachers. Consideration must be had to the ability of instructors to use these resources appropriately to bring about positive or improved educational outcomes and performance.

Importance of Choosing Appropriate Technologies

The need for inclusion in today’s classroom and the rising cases of students with special educational needs calls for making appropriate choices when it comes to assistive technology resources. Moreover, the differences in cultural, racial and lingual backgrounds of students in countries like the US make it particularly important to choose the right technology that will help meet the educational goals stated in statutory instruments such as the IDEA. Further to this, selecting an appropriate technology enables the student instructors to tailor their teaching strategies and techniques efficiently without compromising the quality of content given to students. 

Also, given that there is a broad range of assistive technology resources, programs, and software existing in the technology market, it is necessary to choose appropriate technologies that meet the specific requirements and needs of students in a given setting. For, the only way to ensure that students from diverse backgrounds are enabled and empowered is through technology resources that are responsive, interactive and which promote student-centered learning experience. This will also help reduce the barriers to efficient education for learners with various disabilities.

References

Brozek, E., & Duckworth, D. (n.d.). Supporting English language learners through technology. Educator's Voice, IV , 10-15.

Hasselbring, T. S., & Glaser, C. H. (2000). Use of computer technology to help students with special needs. The Future of Children: Children and Computer Technology, 10 (2), 102-122.

Murray, B., Silver-Pacuilla, H., & Helsel, F. I. (2007). Improving basic mathematics instruction: Promising technology resources for students with special needs. Technology in Action, 2 (5), 1-8.

Renzulli, J. S., & Reis, S. M. (2007). A technology-based resource for challenging gifted and talented students. Gifted Children, 2 (1), 8-14.

Tschirgi, D. (2009, April 13). Five factors to consider when selecting classroom technology. Edtech Magazine . Retrieved July 26, 2016, from http://www.edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2009/04/choose-but-choose-wisely