Assistive technology

Assistive Technology includes a variety of devices that help provide access to learning through computer based programmes.

Today’s assistive technology can meet a broad range of needs for students with many types of learning difficulties. Assistive technology can help students participate more fully in classroom instruction, read better, write more independently, and learn more efficiently.

The use of technology to enhance learning is an effective approach for many children with learning difficulties. Students who now use assistive technology often comment that finally they are on a “level playing field” in the classroom environment.

There are many different programmes such as text to speech, speech to text, audio books, audio book players, talking pens, phonetic spell checkers and word prediction programmes. WordQ, for example, not only works as a phonetic spellchecker but it also suggests words in context to the text being written and provides spoken feedback to help users find mistakes.

The assistive technology chosen for the students should be appropriate for the age of the student and assist the student gain access to the information presented or work to be completed in the classroom.

For more information go to:

www.quillsoft.ca

www.assistive.co.nz