AT, or assistive technology as a title brings to mind tools or technology associated with people with disabilities. When the words are broken down and analyzed however, we realize that assistive technology is nothing more than tools to help us accomplish a task that would otherwise be difficult or even impossible. Assistive technology has been so embedded in our daily lives that we access and use it without a second thought. From the moment you wake up (alarm clock), get ready for work (electric shaver), to the moment we get ready for bed we are using and loving different types of assistive technology. We couldn't imagine our lives without it.
Within the classroom, we as teachers are slowly becoming accustomed to the possibilities that assistive technology will allow our students and us, as educators to accomplish. Within the classrooms we are seeing microphones being employed, Smart Boards, airliners and other wireless technology broadening and adding depth to our lessons. However, we still seem reluctant to empower our students as a whole. For one reason or another I've seen teachers, rather than take the time and effort to incorporate student usage of assistive technology, almost shun it. It is similar to how we see manipulatives used in some classrooms. Almost every teacher has some. It's a proven method of presenting a concrete representation to students and has produced remarkable results. Yet, usually they sit in a closet or a corner gathering dust. When asked why it's not used more in your instruction or student activities, typically the answer revolves around a lack of experience in usage or failed attempts in the past. Teachers, not all but many, are simply content keep their instruction status quo rather than explore and push their own understanding and pedagogy. I think technology, particularly assistive technology is treated similarly. Teachers are unfamiliar with it, have tried it once or twice with mixed results and therefore thrown it to the side because it makes them feel uncomfortable.
After watching this video a couple of things come to mind. First of all, there are students with so much unlocked potential because they don't have access or the knowledge of the assistive technology that could be the missing link. Assistive technology enables one to do things that they were previously incapable of. Most people use them to speed up daily tasks, to make life easier. For some students, assistive technology is about access to the opportunity to learn. Access and opportunity to be as successful and to learn and demonstrate learning alongside their peers.
The other point that stuck out to me was allowing for students with disabilities to be self advocates. Too often, students with disabilities, especially those with more moderate to severe disabilities, find themselves in a situation where everything is done for them. They are being learning helplessness, not independence. How empowering is it for students to be able to express themselves, to accomplish and succeed for themselves, by themselves. assistive technology is designed to help people accomplish tasks. As witnessed in the video, it is empowering in an educational setting but also in a person's life.
AT, or assistive technology as a title brings to mind tools or technology associated with people with disabilities. When the words are broken down and analyzed however, we realize that assistive technology is nothing more than tools to help us accomplish a task that would otherwise be difficult or even impossible. Assistive technology has been so embedded in our daily lives that we access and use it without a second thought. From the moment you wake up (alarm clock), get ready for work (electric shaver), to the moment we get ready for bed we are using and loving different types of assistive technology. We couldn't imagine our lives without it.
Within the classroom, we as teachers are slowly becoming accustomed to the possibilities that assistive technology will allow our students and us, as educators to accomplish. Within the classrooms we are seeing microphones being employed, Smart Boards, airliners and other wireless technology broadening and adding depth to our lessons. However, we still seem reluctant to empower our students as a whole. For one reason or another I've seen teachers, rather than take the time and effort to incorporate student usage of assistive technology, almost shun it. It is similar to how we see manipulatives used in some classrooms. Almost every teacher has some. It's a proven method of presenting a concrete representation to students and has produced remarkable results. Yet, usually they sit in a closet or a corner gathering dust. When asked why it's not used more in your instruction or student activities, typically the answer revolves around a lack of experience in usage or failed attempts in the past. Teachers, not all but many, are simply content keep their instruction status quo rather than explore and push their own understanding and pedagogy. I think technology, particularly assistive technology is treated similarly. Teachers are unfamiliar with it, have tried it once or twice with mixed results and therefore thrown it to the side because it makes them feel uncomfortable.
After watching this video a couple of things come to mind. First of all, there are students with so much unlocked potential because they don't have access or the knowledge of the assistive technology that could be the missing link. Assistive technology enables one to do things that they were previously incapable of. Most people use them to speed up daily tasks, to make life easier. For some students, assistive technology is about access to the opportunity to learn. Access and opportunity to be as successful and to learn and demonstrate learning alongside their peers.
The other point that stuck out to me was allowing for students with disabilities to be self advocates. Too often, students with disabilities, especially those with more moderate to severe disabilities, find themselves in a situation where everything is done for them. They are being learning helplessness, not independence. How empowering is it for students to be able to express themselves, to accomplish and succeed for themselves, by themselves. assistive technology is designed to help people accomplish tasks. As witnessed in the video, it is empowering in an educational setting but also in a person's life.