The document is a guide on assistive technology (AT) for parents and teachers of middle school students with learning disabilities, emphasizing the definition of AT as tools and equipment that enhance learning capabilities rather than fix disabilities. It outlines various types of AT resources, including low and high-tech options, and highlights the importance of differentiated instruction to cater to diverse learning styles and modalities. Additionally, it stresses the collaboration between parents and teachers in implementing effective learning strategies and assessments for students with diverse needs.

1. Assistive Technology and Learning Guide for Parents and Teachers Assistive Technology (AT) Learning Disabilities (LD)- Middle School Divergent Learning Styles Current or Future Need Academic Areas Barriers Learning Sciences and Technology (LST) Copyright 2005. James Vincent Puglia [Key Source: Driscoll, 2003]

2. Assistive Technology for LD Students Not just computer software Can be simple adjustment Definition: Any item, equipment to improve the functional capabilities of children with learning disabilities. (IDEA and Section 508) Assists in completing academic tasks

3. A verage to above average intelligence D iscrepancy- intellectual and academic achievement A ssistive technology is not intended to “fix” disability Adjust and compensate for weaknesses Example: problem solving math Learning Disabilities

4. A udtiory/listening L anguage P erceptual D ivergent learning styles R etrieval I nformation processing load (LST) V isual E xternal and internal attention problems (LST) Learning Differences Different Learning Styles (ALP DRIVE)

5. Different Learning Modalities Learning Disabled Students Differentiated Learning Engaging, hands-on learning Sequenced and Structured Learning Knowledge- Construct Multiple Intelligences Assessments- varied forms Situated Cognition Kinesthetic

6. Learning Styles Survey Help with spelling, reading problem Where and how often will AT be used? Past benefit/poor experience SETT Framework Learning environments evolve There are Low and high technology options Large selection, try it, ease of use, support Current/Future Need for AT

7. High Tech Free Trials Software Reading Software Hardware Tablet PCs, Laptops Digital Recorders Camcorders PDAs MP3 Players Scanners SmartBoards Types of Technology- Low Versus High Low Tech Calculator Flash cards Graph paper Reading guide This is .. Class Notes Key Ideas

8. W ord Prediction- WordQ, Kurzweil, TextAloud R ecorder- Digital--voice to text— I Movie for writing --analyze movies T ext- Have your voice make text-Dragon Preferred I nspiration , Draftbuilder- Graphic Organizers N ew, constructivist activity- Unitedstreaming G rammar highlighter--punctuation, or capital letters-MS Word, Spellcheckers Academic Areas- Writing AT for Learning

9. Academic Areas- Writing AT for Learning Dragon Naturally Speaking Kurzweil

10. R eading from the Web (TextAloud, Readplease) Digital Text, Bookshare.org—LD Eligible Students E nable Text to Speech : (Kurzweil, TextAloud) Text aloud converts to a MP3 player Reading, dictionary definitions, highlighted words A udio- -digital tapes/auditoapes D ifferentiated reading to improve comprehension O bservation- less risk- Unitedstreaming N ew information, PowerPoint for comprehension Academic Areas- Reading AT for Learning

11. M ath- electronic worksheets to line up problems- Intellitools.com A aamath.com, onlineconverisons.com T ables, graphs paper, talking calculators H ope for new software and Internet resources Virtual Library of Math Manipulatives Academic Areas- Math AT for Learning 6 7 5 2 7 x 8 6 3

12. Academic Areas- Math AT for Learning Intellitools.com

13. S tudy with Inspiration-use for studying for test T ext to speech program for test- TextAloud, Kurzweil Modify text Sticky pads and notes Extract highlighted notes Read tests and fill in the blanks U nitedstreaming: Online Tests View movie answer questions. D ifferentiate Learning Y our own personal organizers, Danas, Alphasmarts Academic Areas- Study Skills/Test-taking

14. Academic Areas- Study Skills/Test-taking Link Kurzweil for Taking Tests

15. R esistance to it Students, parents and teachers O ther students use for same work Teacher's role to differentiate instruciton. M ight be given when not E xcuses- some use it for wrong reason “ Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Possible Barriers- ROME

16. Divergent Learning Styles Visual, auditory, kinesthetic, attention Learners Differentiated Instruction Multimedia- verbal assessment, auditory, video Develop Appropriate Learning Meet Learners’ Needs Students Learn in Different Ways AT meet current and future needs LST- Learning Sciences and Technology

17. Metacognition Are students aware? Teacher guides students Personal ownership (e.g.) Use TextAloud Transmission Audiotape listening Listening to MP3 text file Tests in Kurzweil LST- Learning Sciences and Technology

18. Guided Discovery Support group work Learn through scaffolding Situated Cognition Community of Learners Real life learning LST- Learning Sciences and Technology

19. Learners As Experts Child Labor- Ecuador Meaningful, realistic and relevant Meet All Learners Needs Hurricane—Different student roles Vocabulary search, PowerPoint Attention Technology slows cognitive overload. Arrange environment need of leaner traits. LST- Constructivism in Practice

20. Project Based Learning Parents/Teachers Partners Different Assessment Ownership—respect between peers Transfer of Information Creation of New Products Redo Movie Ending– New ending to script Using TextAloud to learn in new way LST- Constructivism in Practice

21. T imeless E nvironment A ssessment C ollaborative H umor M ultifaceted E veryone Can Learn LST- TEACH ME- My LST Philosophy

22. Links and References