Success for All Students with Technology

Online Lesson Contents			Introduction
Part 1: Introduction Part 2: Independence and Integration Part 3: Second Language and English Language Development   Part 4: Web Resources   Interactive Pages			Ideas on multiple intelligences have popularized the notion that people learn in different ways. Good teachers have always worked to provide alternatives for students. It's now relatively common to see lesson plans that acknowledge different learning paths. Accommodations and modifications are frequently discussed which make curriculum accessible to different ability levels and language proficiencies. Technology can play an important role in making for the success of all students.
			Goals
			Students will be able to describe at least three different ways that technology can provide access to information for persons with disabilities. Students will be able to describe at least three different ways that technology can support expression of ideas for persons with disabilities. Students will identify at least three different ways that technology can support people learning a second language.
			Assignments
			Read materials in this online lesson and follow links to other World Wide Web sites. Take the self test for Module 7 in the Interactive Self Test Area. Respond to the following question in the Class Discussion Forum for Module 7:   Skilled educators modify their instructional practices to accommodate different learner needs. This practice is sometimes called curriculum differentiation. Please discuss different student learning needs based on your classroom experiences. Given information and resources from this online lesson, how might technology provide tools to differentiate learning and promote greater student success in your classroom?

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			Part 2: Independence and Integration
"Speech recognition systems, electronic communications, personal computers, robots, and artificial intelligence are transforming people's lives."			Technology has helped people with disabilities gain greater independence and integration in our society. Speech recognition systems, electronic communications, personal computers, robots, and artificial intelligence are transforming people's lives. The movement toward miniaturization, use of lighter materials, and higher-capacity information processing devices present even greater opportunities for this population in the future. As schools move to mainstream and provide full inclusion environments for persons with disabilities, it is important that teachers are aware of possibilities with "assistive technologies." The George Lucas Educational Foundation devoted their entire Summer 1998 issue of Edutopia to assistive technology. Please read the article titled, "Assistive Technology Success Stories," by Yuri Wellington to learn more about possibilities with assistive technology. Assistive Technology Success Stories by Yuri Wellington from the Summer 1998 isssue of Edutopia Newsletter of the George Lucas Educational Foundation   As teachers plan ways that they can increase student independence and create classrooms that support differentiated instruction, assistive technology becomes a vital resource. The table below provides ideas on student needs and potential assistive technology solutions. Area of Need Indications Potential Uses of Technology Auditory Processing Difficulty difficulty following oral directions; barriers understanding lectures and direct oral instruction Pen and paper Computer aided note taking Tape Recorder- student, peer tutor or instructional assistant records assignment directions and key parts of lectures for replay at a later time Sound Field Systems similar to a public address system, these setups amplify the teachers voice allowing learners to focus on "who has the microphone" Reads at Lower than Expected Level difficulty reading assigned materials Predictable Books   Changes in text size, spacing, color, background   Use of pictures/symbols with text   Single Word Scanners   Tape Recorder- use of books on tape written materials are recorded for student to listen to Talking Word Processor- materials formatted as "electronic text" are read by a talking word processor Optical Character Recognition Software- written material is scanned and processed for use with a talking word processor Electronic Books Writes at Lower than Expected Level discrepancy between verbal and written fluency Word cards/Book/Wall Pocket Dictionary/Thesaurus Writing Templates Electronic/Talking Spell Checker/Dictionary Graphic Mapping & Outlining Software- assists student in pre-writing activities of generating ideas and associating concepts Tape Recorder- student dictates assignment into tape recorder; transcription to writing occurs by either student or instructional assistant at a later time Word Prediction Software- predicts logical word choices based on subject verb agreement, grammar rules, and student writing of the past Portable Word Processor- affords access to a computer like word processor anywhere in the school/home environment Voice Recognition Software Calculates at Lower than Expected Level discrepancy between reasoning/problem solving abilities and ability to do calculations Number Line Enlarged Math Worksheets Talking Watches/Clocks Calculator with Large Keys and/or Display Manipulatives and counters- help student obtain a visual and kinesthetic understanding of the problem Software for Manipulation of Objects Talking Calculator On-screen/Scanning Calculator Voice Recognition Software Spells at Lower than Expected Level discrepancy between written fluency and ability to spell words correctly Word cards/Book/Wall Pocket Dictionary/Thesaurus Writing Templates Electronic/Talking Spell Checker/Dictionary Word Processing software- student uses word processor to enter text and locate/correct words that are misspelled Fine Motor Writing Difficulty discrepancy between written fluency and ability to form readable letters and numbers Thicker Pencil/Pen- provides student with more writing tool surface space to grip   Pencil/Pen Grip- slides onto pencil/pen providing more surface space to grip Slantboard Word Processing software- student copies handwritten text into computer for review and editing by others   Alternative Computer Keyboard- modifies traditional keyboard offering alternatives in key arrangement and keyboard size   Portable Word Processor- affords access to a computer like word processor anywhere in the school/home environment for generating and composing written work    Use of assistive technology as a learning resource needs to be balanced with: student learning potential- an individual's academic strengths and weaknesses motivation- the student's personal desire to learn chronological age- older students may be more receptive to solutions than younger students desired goals- expected outcomes Additional support related to assistive technology for students with special needs can be found at the following websites: LD Online's Tech Guide A comprehensive, up-to-the-minute listing of hardware and software products for people with learning disabilities, what it does and where to get it. Assistive Technology in K-12 Schools Developed by the Alliance for Technology Access, this site has specific information and resources to support educators in their quest to accommodate all learners. Information about best practices along with school success stories are shared.

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			Part 3: Second Language and English Language Development
Technology can support English language learners in a number of ways...			Educators can use technology to support English language learners in a number of different ways. Please review the following ideas and consider applications for students you work with: Teachers can use technology to provide interaction, communicative activities, and real audience for LEP students. Students can participate in electronic telecollaborative projects through email and web based interchanges. Telecollaborative activities described by Dr. Judi Harris (http://virtual-architecture.wm.edu/Projects+Resources/index.html), provide specific references to these types of activities. Educators can use technology to supply comprehensible input. By offering classroom presentations with such programs as PowerPoint, Inspiration, and iMovie technology can play a major role in expanding student language experiences in content area learning. Instructors can support development of ELL student cognitive abilities with technology. In mathematics and science students can work with such programs as Microsoft Excel, Geometers' Sketchpad, TableTop, Logical Journey, Graph Club and Science Seekers. In language arts and social studies students can work with such programs as International Inspirer, Hollywood, Timeliner, Write On!, Inspiration, and Microsoft PowerPoint. Teachers can use webquests to present task-based and problem solving activities that require students to exchange information and collaborate. Examples of K-12 webquest activities can be found at the following website: http://webquest.org/ Educators can facilitate focused development of English language skills with technology. Students can practice skills in the writing process using DraftBuilder, Inspiration, WriteOutLoud, and Microsoft Word to brainstorm, compose, peer edit, revise, and publish stories and narratives. Instructors can use multiple modalities to support various learning styles and strategies with technology. Because learning can occur in a variety of ways, teachers can design learning environments that utilize technology to support multiple ways of learning and demonstrating knowledge. Inspiration, DraftBuilder, WriteOut Loud, Microsoft PowerPoint and iMovie can be employed to meet aural, visual, tactile, and kinesthetic learners. Teachers can foster understanding and appreciation of the target and native cultures with technology. Using telecollaborative activities described by Dr. Judi Harris (http://virtual-architecture.wm.edu/Projects+Resources/index.html), students can interact with people from other cultures to solve problems and share information. .

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			Part 4: Web Resources
"Teachers and parents are changing the educational landscape for students with disabilities through the imaginative and innovative applications of technology." -Jackie Brand			Using Video With English Language Learners http://cgi.kqed.org/topics/education/educators/videoclassroom/english.jsp Check out tips from KQED on strategies teachers can use to increase the effectiveness of video for English language learners.  Special Education Resources on the Internet (SERI) http://seriweb.com/ Special Education Resources on the Internet (SERI) is sponsored by Hood College in Frederick, Maryland. Educators and parents will find many different topics of interest including: attention deficit disorder, learning disabilities, physical and health disorders, inclusion resources, legal and law resources, autism, behavior disorders, vision and hearing impairment and transition resources. Schwab Learning: Managing Learning Differences http://www.schwablearning.org/resources.asp?g=2 Schwab Learning is a service of the Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation dedicated to helping kids with learning differences be successful in learning and life. Its founding is directly linked to the effect of learning differences on the Schwabs' lives. Schwab Learning provides support, resources, publications and information free of charge to parents of children with learning differences and to kids themselves. LD Online: Learning Disabilities Information & Resources http://www.ldonline.org LD Online is an interactive guide on learning disabilities for parents, teachers and children.Visitors will find many articles and resources related to learning disabilities, a kidzone, and various bulletin boards where people can share information about learning disabilities. It is sponsored by the Learning Project of WETA in Washington, D.C., and the Coordinated Campaign for Learning Disabilities. Little Explorers English-Spanish Dictionary http://www.LittleExplorers.com/Spanish/ For younger students, a commercial web site with lots of great images and descriptions. Council on Exceptional Children- Teaching How-to's http://www.teachingld.org/teaching_how-tos/content/default.htm A collection of articles drawn from TEACHING Exceptional Children (TEC), a publication of The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). TEC is published specifically for teachers and administrators of children with disabilities and children who are gifted and features practical articles that present methods and materials for classroom use as well as current issues in special education teaching and learning. Dave's ESL Cafe http://www.pacificnet.net/~sperling/eslcafe.html A popular site that presents resources and opportunities for interaction among individuals learning a second language. Aaron Shepard's Reader's Theatre Editions http://www.aaronshep.com/rt/RTE.html Reader's Theater Editions are scripts adapted from stories by Aaron Shepard and others mostly humor fantasy, and retold tales from a variety of cultures. The grade levels for performers fallmostly between 3 and 9. Foreign Language News and Newspapers http://libraries.mit.edu/humanities/flnews/ MIT maintains a large college of newspapers and magazines from all over the world here.

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