Assistive Technology in the Classroom

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Permalink Reply by Cailey Richer on September 19, 2011 at 9:15pm

Hi Kaylyn,

 

My name is Cailey and I am currently a student at Illinois State University. I am studying Special Education and am in an assistive technology class. In our class, we discuss how technology is a tool that constantly changes, is based on contemporary knowledge, and it enhances everyday life. This includes teaching/learning. Everyday in the learning environment, technology should be and is used, especially now in the 21st century. Some students in my class have said that a 21st century learner should be viewed as a “digital learner.” I believe, as a future educator, that people need to recognize that our student’s daily lives are full of technology. Bringing a students outside environment (technology) could also help with engaging students more adequetly. Since we live in the 21st century, I believe that it is important to make sure children are up to date with technology, and the classroom is a great way to start. There are many ways technology can be useful to students. Assistive technology is so important for kids with disabilities who may learn differently than others. With technology, there are multiple ways to present information and help children with disabilities learn in a more efficient way. We, as future teachers in the 21st century, should integrate technology and embrace the fact that we are fortunate enough to teach our students in many ways using technology. On the other hand, I do believe that technology does somewhat take away from teachers critical thinking skills. Now that there is so much technology, teachers don't need to critically think as hard for different ways in which students can learn.

Permalink Reply by Jenna D'Agata on September 12, 2012 at 2:17pm

I feel that assistive technology is extremely beneficial to the classroom.  It's important for students with disabilities to be able to fully participate in classroom discussions and activities which assistive technology can do for them. I don't think there is too much technology in the classroom; there are so many different types of technology and each specific student may require something different from the next.  As teachers, I think it's important that we're able to learn all of the new types of technology so we can start to integrate them into the classrooms to make learning more efficient for all students.