Module 6 EDU 776: Assistive Technology

Traditionally for most classroom teachers, reading Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and being aware of accommodations and modifications for students usually centered on paper or hard copy needs -- like reducing the amount of questions on a test, reducing the choices from 4 to 3 on a multiple choice test, highlighting key words, providing specific seating, or frequent check ins for students. We often forget that there are a variety of technology tools to assist students learn as well and increase accessibility in and out of the classroom.  

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I took some time to explore the "Ease of Access" resources on my PC and created a Screencastify video explaining some basic functions on a PC that can assist students. You can watch the presentation below and it's also linked. I focused on four features that you or your students can manipulate on the PC to allow them to access what they see differently. It is rather easy actually to: increase the size of what's on the screen, turning on a narrator function to have the page read to students, turning on a keyboard that they can use the mouse to type on, and lastly to change the contrast on the screen. All of these can benefit students that may have accessibility issues. 

I remember several years ago, I had a student with a degenerative eye condition and he needed everything I passed out to him to be enlarged so that he could see. I wish I had known about this simple function to help him see what was on the screen better. It may not seem like much, but something small can help students succeed. I was also excited to learn about the screen narrator that can read what's on the screen for you, especially for my English language learners (ELLs) who benefit from hearing and reading information in English. 

This is not an area of strength for me, not because I am not interested, but simply because I did not receive the proper training. I wish we had more professional development about simple tech enhancements that could help us with our students. We're often stuck in meetings that are unproductive, when in reality there are so many assistive technology resources that could really help us, and we're not exposed to them. I think my strength is that I have interest, the patience, and the humility to learn something new. I really try and practice a growth mindset when it comes to areas in my practice where I know I can grow and stretch in -- it's one of the reasons I wanted to pursue these tech classes at Dominican. 

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