Blog Post #12

This week's blog post is about assistive technology. Nowadays it seems as if it is much easier to find things to use for students with disabilities and are having trouble learning. One of the things that I found was most useful was probably the iPad. The iPad allows the blind to use it when the "assistive touch" is turned on. A blind person is able to use the iPad by scrolling through the apps, which are read to them. To open one, they simply double tap anywhere once that app has been selected. The iPad can also read books to them. This is a great way for students to use technology and to be able to function in the classroom.

There are many apps out there that can help with impairments. One of them is Dragon Dictation which allows a student to tell the app what to write in order to complete schoolwork that may require writing. Another app that aids students in learning is Learning Ally. This is a program specifically for dyslexic kids. Franklin Electronic Dictionary or ClaroRead are also tools the could aid in the education of dyslexic students.

So what is there for students who have a hearing impairment? One of the apps that I found was BuzzCards. BuzzCards allow a someone who has a hearing impairment to communicate with others.
Other tools that could be useful for those who are challenged are large font keyboards, adjustible monitors, and track balls or joy sticks instead of the regular mouse attached to the computer.
Some of the sites that I found this information on are: Assistive Technology For Education, The Innovative Educator, and the National Center For Learning Disabilites.