Adaptive Technologies Reflection

I really enjoyed our trip to Student Support Services. I thought that it was nice to know what was behind those closed doors. I also felt much more informed about what types of adaptive technologies are out their to help those students who have a learning or physical disability that would allow them to effectively and efficiently take part in the learning community. I have to say that the technologies that are available today are amazing and its almost hard to wrap your thoughts around what these technologies allow us to do. For example, the shake awake was a very amusing tool to be exposed to but at the same time it was nice to know that such a thing like that exists and it exists in a "bigger" form! When asked to pick an adaptive technology that I had been exposed to, I felt a pull towards the screen reader that we were shown at SSS. A screen reader is a type of software that allows screen displayed information to be read to a person who has a visual impairment, who is blind, illiterate, and/or has a learning disability. If you were to take this information and apply it to a classroom setting, I think that it would be a very beneficial resource to have. Personally, I think that if I were to have a student in my classroom, who displayed any of the following above, that a screen reader would be very helpful in allowing me to deliver my instruction to all students. Take the following scenario;

I am a fourth grade teacher who has a student who is visually impaired. Reading printed texts and being able to successfully research sources over the web is out of the question for him/her. Having a screen reader in my classroom would allow this student to participate and to do the readings and tasks just like the other students. The only challenges to be faced would be the ones that I have, as the teacher, with making sure I modify my teaching to ensure that this student has a successful year in my room along with all of the remaining students. I believe that having a designated place for the screen reader would allow constant and convenient access for him/her. They would have to be given a tutorial on how to use it along with myself. I would also have to make sure that all of the printed versions of my material were available on CD for the student to have easy and definite access to in order to participate in and complete assignments and activities. The other students in the class would also need to be informed of what a screen reader is and its uses within the classroom. I would not want to keep any secrets and I would want all students to gain exposure and an understanding of what an adaptive technology is and how it can be helpful. I would also want my students to play a role in helping the student with the visual impairment with his/her assignments. I think that the key in having a successful implementation of an adaptive technology in a classroom setting is making everyone aware of its presence and uses, not just the one who will be using it. I think that a good knowledge base, and the proper set up of an adaptive technology does not have to alter teaching strategies. Instead, I think that having those parts in place will allow the adaptive technology to become a second nature. The key is taking the time and putting in the effort. I would not look at in the perspective of how do I need to change my current teaching strategies but more as to how am I going to make my teaching strategies that much better!