ARTICLES Taking Computers Out of the Corner: Making Technology Work in the Classroom
By: Melanie Kuhn
This article discusses the importance of not having classroom computers sit idly in the corner. Kuhn offers ways to make them accessible to all students so that they can be used across the curriculum.
http://www.readingonline.org/electronic/kuhn/index.html Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants
By Marc Prensky
This 2001 article looks at how students in today’s school system are digital natives, from pre-school to the university level. They also discuss digital immigrants, people who have learned technology in recent years, and who are not as familiar as current students. Prensky looks at the impact of the gap between digital natives and digital immigrants on the education system.
http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf An Educator’s Guide to Making Textbooks Accessible and Usable for Students with Learning Disabilities
This article, from the Center for Applied Special Technology and LD Online looks at how you need to provide a variety of learning materials for students so that they can learn in the way in which they are most comfortable. This includes making textbooks accessible in multiple formats. The article explores the potential of e-text, with recommendations for finding accessible texts and for making your own using scanners. It is a good introductory resource for making textbooks accessible.
http://www.ldonline.org/article/16310 Assistive Technology and Learning Disabilities
By: Janet Jendron, South Carolina Assistive Technology Program
This article discusses the various hardware, software and low-tech tools for students and teachers with a focus on literacy. It also identifies a couple of math tools.
http://www.sc.edu/scatp/ld.htm Handhelds and Special Needs Students
By: Karen Vitek
This article, written from a first-person perspective, looks at how technology has helped students over the years. The specific focus of the article is handheld devices. Vitek discusses the various ways handhelds can be used across the curriculum.
http://www.techlearning.com/story/showArticle.php?articleID=45400052 I’ve Got a Palm in my Pocket: Using Handheld Computers in an Inclusive Classroom
By: Anne M. Bauer and Mary C. Ulrich
This 2002 article from Teaching Exceptional Children discusses the use of handheld computers in the classroom. The authors note students’ familiarity with the devices, which makes it easier to incorporate them in instruction. The article provides both student and parent perspectives, examines relevant literature, and suggests ways that handheld computers can be used in the classroom.
http://www.teachingld.org/pdf/teaching_how-tos/article_2.pdf On the Go: What Consumer Products Can Do For You (If You Know Where to Look!)
By: National Center for Technology Innovation and Center for Implementing Technology in Education.
This 2006 article shows how everyday pieces of technology can be used to help students with disabilities. The article looks at the following technologies: PDAs and Smartphones, cellular phones, and iPods. They also provide additional resources for each of these types of tools. It is a simple guide and easy to understand.
http://www.ldonline.org/article/9705 Interactive Whiteboards: Assistive Technology for Every Classroom
By: Alfred N. Basilicato
This article discusses how interactive whiteboards, which are becoming common in classrooms across America, can reach all learners and aid in inclusion.
http://www.numonics.com/pressRelease/AssistiveTech.pdf Using a PDA in Today’s Classroom
By: Chauncey Rucker
This article from ConnSense looks not only at PDAs in the classroom, but also discusses the portable notetaker, Alphasmart, and the Dana. The author lists a variety of software, freeware, and features that he believes make the PDA a very good piece of equipment for the classroom.
http://www.connsensebulletin.com/danctg.html Using Flexible Technology to Meet the Needs of Diverse Learners: What Teachers Can Do
By: Lisa Wahl and Julie Duffiels
This article, from WestEd, looks at ways teachers can use technology, including: classroom computers, graphic organizers, Internet resources, and readily available software such as Microsoft Word and Kid Pix, to assure that diverse learners are successful in the general education curriculum. The authors also provide tips to help schools and districts support the use of technology.
http://www.wested.org/online_pubs/kn-05-01.pdf It’s About T.I.M.E.! (Technology Improving the Methods of Education
By: Willie Ennis, III and Shannon Mocanu
This article from Tech Learning describes research that supports technology integration as a way to improve student outcomes. Research studies are cited indicating that technology-enriched classrooms improve higher order thinking and social skills.
http://www.techlearning.com/shared/printableArticle.php?articleID=18902862 Success for All Students: Leaving No Child Behind in the Digital Age
By: Cindy L. Richardson
This article discusses the importance of technology in meeting the needs of diverse learners. It provides tips for educators in using tech tools for large group instruction, small group instruction, and for individual learning and practice.
http://web.wm.edu/ttac/text/articles/assistivetech/nclbdigital.html iPod Helps Special Needs Students Make the Grade
This resource profiles an Iowa elementary school that is using iPods as part of their assistive technology program. For educators looking to use iPods or other mobile technology in the classroom, the article provides valuable policy advice and several related resources.
http://www.apple.com/education/profiles/louisamuscatine/ Technology – The Great Equalizer
This article, from the Council for Exceptional Children, talks about the possibilities that technology (both instructional and assistive) offers students with disabilities to “level the playing field.” The article looks at the difference between instructional and assistive technologies and discusses these in relation to various curricular subjects taught. It maintains that technology can help meet the needs of all learners, not just those with disabilities.
http://www.cec.sped.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=6263 Literal Systems
LiteralSystems.org is an organization that produces free audio files of books, prose, and poetry that enable users to hear text read aloud. It concentrates on the classics and has about 35 completed classics and works of poetry. The audio files can be downloaded to a computer, iPod or other digital audio device. The downloads are free and a great resource.
http://literalsystems.org/abooks/index.php Virtual Reality World Teaches Deaf Children Math Skills
By: Jim Schenke
At Purdue University, the Envision Center for Data Perceptualization is making use of virtual reality technology to allow children who are deaf to explore and learn from their environment as do typically developing children. Through the use of hand and body movements, students are able to control their environment, engage in learning activities at their own pace, repeat activities as needed, feel or see items or processes in concrete terms, practice daily living activities in a safe environment and develop motivation to succeed.
http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html4ever/2006/060724.Villani.dentedcan.html The Future is Now: Where Today’s Assistive Technologies Will Take Learners Tomorrow
By: Pamela Wheaton Shorr
This article examines the use of emerging technologies, including wearable technology, the use of brain waves to re-program behavior, and virtual reality.
http://www.ciconline.org/c/document_library/get_file?folderId=30&name=T-Win05-FutureIsNow.pdf WEBSITES AccessIT
AccessIT promotes the use of electronic and information technology for students and employees with disabilities in educational institutions at all academic levels. The website features the AccessIT Knowledge Base, a searchable database of questions and answers regarding accessible electronic and information technology. It is designed for educators, policy makers, librarians, technical support staff, and students and employees with disabilities and their advocates.
http://www.washington.edu/accessit/ CAST: Universal Design for Learning
This website is a key resource for those interested in universal design for learning. UDL principles include: 1) Presenting information and content in different ways; 2) Differentiating the ways that students can express what they know and 3) Stimulating interest and motivation for learning. Clearly technology offers options for addressing each of these principles.
http://www.cast.org/ Learning Point Associates: Technology Research
This link provides access to summaries of research that has been conducted to evaluate student outcomes when technology-based interventions have been implemented.
http://www.learningpt.org/page.php?pageID=85
Classroom Technology News and Publications
Buzzle.com - 2006
This website contains a comprehensive listing of educational technology-focused articles and publications.
http://www.buzzle.com/chapters/education-and-higher-learning_classroom-networks-and-technology_news-and-publications.asp
FACT SHEETS
Freeware, Shareware and Demo Programs on the Internet
This fact sheet, from the ConnSENSE Bulletin, lists freeware and shareware that can be obtained via the Internet in the following categories: cursors, demos, drawing, coloring and creating programs, educational games and programs, e-text, graphics, graphic organizers, internet sites, keyboarding, math support, modification checklists, mouse skills, on-screen keyboards, sign language, symbol support, text-to-speech, tools and visual support.
http://www.connsensebulletin.com/freeware05.pdf GUIDES
Using Accessible Technology: A Guide for Educators
Microsoft Press - 2005
This 47-page guide provides information about accessible technology initiatives and resources that are available to educators. The guide includes:
• A discussion of the importance of accessible technology.
• Case studies that describe accessible technology initiatives.
• Information about accessibility features and assistive technology products that will help individuals with specific disabilities.
http://www.microsoft.com/enable/education/guide.aspx |
