Technology
is needed in every classroom regardless of what type of classroom it is. Every
type of class uses some sort of technology to advance their students’ knowledge
and speed up the learning process. Technology is used more in a special education
classroom than in any other classroom setting because of all the different
types of students and their learning needs that need to be met in order to make
education successful for them. There are different types of disabilities that special
needs students suffer from. A huge percentage of students suffer from
specific learning disabilities which can include learning impairments in
Reading, Math and other subjects. Another large percentage of them suffer from
speech or language impairments, others suffer mental retardation, emotional
disorders and hearing or visual impairments.
The use of assistive
technology like computer software, communication devices and tablets is the
new and innovative trend among educators. It is vital that schools must help
students with special needs to access, participate, and progress in the general
curriculum. Technology can help schools fulfill these requirements and help all
students succeed. It can help personalize instruction for students with special
needs and improve their learning. There are various strategies for
integrating technology in a special education classroom, they’re listed below:
For students with mild
cognitive disabilities in Reading, use reading skill software,
text-to-speech products, interactive storybooks, etc. For those with mild
impairments in Writing, use voice recognition and word prediction software. For
the ones with mild disabilities in Mathematics, use graphing software, drills,
games and tutorials.
For students with moderate to
severe cognitive disabilities, software helps teach and reinforce
functional skills such as money-management, daily living, etc., videos enhance
acquisition, maintenance, and transfer of functional and community-based
behaviors.
For students with physical
disabilities provide alternate methods of accessing keyboard, mouse and
monitor. Determine the best placement of adaptive technology and train the
students so they are able to operate it independently. Monitor to ensure that
the maximum level of participation is obtained without any undue physical
demands.
For students with sensory
disabilities such as blindness use canes and sensor technologies to assist
movement, text-to-braille converters and screen readers. For visually impaired
students, use CCTV (Closed-Circuit Television) magnification systems and
built-in computer screen magnification control panels. For hearing impaired
students, use assistive listening devices like FM amplification systems.
For students at-risk of
learning, use software and websites that provide powerful and motivating
opportunities to engage in learning activities and electronic quizzes and other
instructional materials that provide immediate feedback on performance.
For students with special
talents and gifts find starting point web pages to launch them into content
with appropriate challenges. Also provide tools for engaging in self-directed
research and tools such as multimedia presentations, web page design, and
electronic portfolios to document learning experiences.
There are many ways in which technology benefits
a special education classroom. These students like the rest are drawn to
technology and it motivates them to learn with the aid of technology, it
allows teachers to work with more students at one time, it equalizes
education for special needs students and due to this they are seen as more
capable by peers, it helps build confidence and help these children find
academic success.
In developing new technology software and hardware
companies have not overlooked the special needs and special education students.
Almost all operating systems have something for people with special
needs. Windows 7 and OS X, offer a number of enhancements that enable users of
different impairments to use the system. Braille displays offer the
ability to read text that is sent to the machine by activating pins on a
multi-cell display. They are available cheaply for reading text line by line
while more expensive versions can read text, allow for text input and SMS
texting, and help with navigation around the computer. Word Prediction
Software can be used to predict the words that are being typed to reduce
the number of keystrokes used to input the word. The use of tablets and
iPads as technology in special education classrooms is limitless and they
can be used as a computer, an imaging device, a camera, a projector, a mouse, a
keyboard, and a remote device for white boards. Also, Apple’s App Store and
Google’s Android App Market both offer a number of apps designed to assist in
the use of technology in special education classrooms.
The devices available to students with disabilities
are no longer big clunky things which become difficult to manage in a
classroom. Students now have access to assistive capabilities on technologies
that are smaller, more mobile, more integrated and inexpensive. Technology in
special education classrooms is an industry within an industry and it is
constantly developing and improving products for special needs.
Share your experiences of using technology in a
special education classroom. What more technology you know that can be of aid
in special education classrooms and what are the ways of integrating it into
the classroom? Make your comments in the Comment Box.
