"The Impact of Assistive Technology on Curriculum Accomodation for a Braile-reading Student" by Charles Farnsworth and John Luckner, shows how the right technology and willing educators can help improve the educational opportunities for students with disabilities. It seems clear that David benefited from having the Tiger Cub Jr. and BrailleNote devices. Why are they not in greater usage? An Internet search shows that the Tiger Cub Jr. costs about $4000, so it would seem that cost would prevent many students from getting them. The article states that districts may be wary of making large expenditures per individual student for assistive technology devices and I have seen that play out at my own school.
One of my students has a disability that makes him unable to use his hands to take notes. At the beginning of the year he needed an audio-to-text device but the district was slow to provide one. He was frustrated and his assistant took notes for him, but there was a lack of independence. When he finally got the device he was given a greater sense of autonomy and power over his education.
He has been in in a great mood now, ever since I brought him some chocolate chip cookies for his birthday. It is amazing how cookie technology can also influence a students motivation.
Monday, March 30, 2009
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