An IEP (Individualized Education Program) creates a customized set of educational resources for students with special needs. Assistive technology can help these students function and communicate more independently. Examples discussed include Read and Write Gold for organization, the LiveScribe SmartPen for note-taking, and Coggle for mind mapping. These tools promote inclusion and better learning outcomes for exceptional students.

1. Using technology to make
learning easier for everyone!
By: Vivian McGowan

2. What is an IEP?
• We hear this term all the time, but what is it really?
• Students who are exceptional and need some
special services qualify for a list of resources that
are individualized to them and their needs. These
resources are free to families, and in order to make
sure exceptional students are receiving proper
attention, teachers and families create the
Individualized Education Program for the student.
• This is a wonderful video about how Assistive
technology can help individuals with Autism.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JU6AC8UVNnY&list=PLvzOwE5lWqhRYvTn2kI
ygOTdXBE8AyHFR&index=4

3. How can technology help these
students?
• Assistive technology is technology that is
meant to help these individuals function
and perform daily tasks. Many times
forms of assistive technology can be used
as communication for exceptional students
who cannot perform this on their own.
• Assistive technology promotes
independence in our students, and should
be utilized.

4. What are some examples of how
AT can help these students?
• Students with exceptionalities might
have issues with organization, note-taking,
and writing. These are some
programs and devices that we can use
to make learning easier and more fun
for everyone!

5. Organization
• Read and Write Gold –

6. Reviews of Read and Write Gold
• "As a school we are delighted with Read&Write Gold. Students of all
abilities are using the software for different reasons: to aid research
when using the Internet by using the reading feature, to proof read
their work, to hear individual words as they type and to colour change
the background of the screen. It has also been used, to great effect, for
students to access the reading part of the English GCSE paper for some
of our Year 10 students."
Christing Armstrong, Walton Le Dale High School
• "This is one of the most useful tools for all our dyslexic students.
Wherever possible I encourage students to get to grips with it!"
Margaret Browning, Dyslexia Specialist Tutor (Language Therapist) at
Bangor's Miles Dyslexia Centre
• "I have heard such good things about Read&Write Gold, and unless
you have a child with a SPLD you can not imagine what hope it gives
to us. My son and I are looking forward to working with the package
and all at Texthelp in the future. "
Tina Goodall, Parent

7. Note-taking-LiveScribe SmartPen

8. Reviews Live-Scribe Smartpen
• The Livescribe smartpen is an assistive
technology aid that facilitates the note-taking
and learning process. Recording
classroom discussions and taking fewer
notes allows the dyslexic student to spend
more time listening and learning. When
returning to the material for homework or
review, students have an opportunity to
listen to important information a second
time, add notes that may be of
significance, and review what has already
been written.
• Caryl Frankenberger, Ed.M

9. Writing
• Mind Mapping, Brainstorming & Graphic
Organizers
• “Coggle”

10. Reviews of Coggle
• I have tried this tool on my iPhone, iPad,
and my computer, and the user interface is
amazing. A simple click can create or
delete a node, or adjust color. A click and
drag can move your item anywhere in the
map always keeping it connected to your
previous thought. The options are there,
but not inundating the screen. Coggle
really is simple and intuitive.
• Edutechmag.org

11. Conclusion
• These are just a few examples of
devices and programs students can use.
There are so many more out there.
Assistive technology enables dreams.
• Assistive technology gives students a
hand when they cannot perform alone.
Why would an educator not love that?

12. Works Cited
"Just Coggle.it!." Education Technology Magazine. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2014.
<http://www.edutechmag.org/2013/04/03/just-coggle-it/>.
"Livescribe 3 Smartpen review." TechRadar. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2014.
<http://www.techradar.com/reviews/gadgets/livescribe-3-smartpen-1205777/review>.
"Livescribe Smartpen * The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity." Livescribe Smartpen * The
Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2014.
<http://dyslexia.yale.edu/TECH_livescribe.html>.
"Robot Check." Robot Check. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2014.
<http://www.amazon.com/Livescribe-4GB-Sky-Wi-Fi-Smartpen/product-reviews/B009FU2AW2>.
"Texthelp." - Literacy software to help all readers and writers succeed. N.p., n.d. Web. 27
Sept. 2014. <http://www.texthelp.com/UK>.