Supporting All Learners 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		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.

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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 works to document and advocate for exemplary programs in K-12 public schools.The Foundation produced a short online video that shares some of the possibilities with assistive technology. Please view the following online video: Assistive Technology- Enabling Dreams If you have problems viewing the video, the following resource is offered as a text-based alternative: Text Alternative- Assistive Technology: Enabling Dreams Carrying forward with other applications of technology that support student learning please review the following stories from other websites: Reading Software: Finding the Right Program http://www.ldonline.org/article/7765 Computer Assisted Instruction and Writing http://www.k8accesscenter.org/training_resources/computeraided_writing.asp Computer Assisted Instruction and Math http://www.k8accesscenter.org/training_resources/computeraided_math.asp 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 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 textSingle Word ScannersTape 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 (view example of WriteOutLoud software) 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/WallPocket Dictionary/Thesaurus Writing Templates Electronic/Talking Spell Checker 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 (view example of Co-Writer Word Predicition software) 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 (see examples at National Library of Virtual Manipulatives) Software for Manipulation of Objects- (see examples at National Library of Virtual Manipulatives) 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 TemplatesElectronic/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 SlantboardWord 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- what are the IEP team's expected outcomes? parents? student? school?

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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 plan to 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 blogs and other web-based technologies. 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. .

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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 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. 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 fall mostly between 3 and 9. These are great materials to use in development of oral reading fluency skills and inflection. 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. They are useful to support ELL students obtain accessible text in their home language.

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