Amy Marshall

Assistive Technology

9/23/05

Assistive technology is changing the way that students with disabilities learn. There are many ways to use assistive technology in the classroom. Teachers are finding that with new ways to use technology for students with learning or physical disabilities they can make learning much easier and fun. The Web-site Education world says “Thanks to technology, students with physical and mental challenges have access to thousands of devices to help make learning easier.” ( http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech086.shtml) Some of the most popular assistive technology techniques include voice recognition, text to speech, and other programs that transform either speech or text to meet the needs of the disability.  

            Voice recognition converts the users voice which is projected through a microphone into the computer to text that can then be printed. “Voice recognition enables users to control their computers through speech.” ( http://www2.edc.org/-NCIP/vr/VR_AboutVR.html). This helps student who cannot use the keyboard to be able to have a paper typed just by saying it into the computer. This enables them to finish work much faster then it would if it had to be dictated to someone else, and they can do the entire project by themselves. It helps free up teachers time and builds confidence in the children that they can do the work.

            Text to speech is also very popular particularly for students who are blind or can not read. This program converts the words typed on to the computer to speech which the child can listen to on headphones or through the speakers. This product can be used when a teacher gives a child who can’t see or read instruction, they are written into the computer which then transfers them to speech. This particular method makes it much more discrete for the children who can’t read so that the entire class doesn’t have to wait for them to be read to. And they can use the headphones so it is not as embarrassing for them as it is to be singled out in front of the class. ( http://www.imagemanagement.com/SpeechRecognition/Speech_Recognition.htm)

            There are many other products available as well such as Word Q which is used for children with dyslexia. This program automatically tries to figure out what they are trying to say by rearranging letters if the word is unrecognizable. “ Word Q takes the frustration away from learning disabled students who are often lacking in confidence and ability when given a paper/pencil task.” ( http :// specialed.about.com/ cs-/ mentalretardation/a/ wordq.htm)

            Assistive technology is making waves in the classroom that have made it much easier for children to learn and be incorporated into the general education classroom. It is helping teachers to reach out to those who need the help even when they have large classrooms.( http :// www.closingthegap.com/). Most importantly it is improving the lives of many students who otherwise would not be learning what they are today.