Web Quest Assistive Technology Activity

1. M4 – WebQuest Assistive
Technology Activity
Amanda D. Seals
ITEC 7530 – Fall 2015
Dr. Eun Bae Lee

2. How to enhance students'
educational experience in an
inclusive classroom setting
Mrs. Amanda Seals
School Teacher
GSU Elementary School

3. Introduction
• At GSU Elementary School, many of our
traditional classrooms are being transformed
by including special needs students
• Principal Lee has asked for this presentation
so as to share my best practices for the
classroom with my colleagues
• In this presentation, I will share tools that will
resources that can enhance the educational
experience of ALL our students

4. Overview
The Individualized Education Program (IEP) serves
as the framework for determining the meaning of
the term “free appropriate public education” in the
least restrictive environment, a term frequently
referenced in the IDEA. IEPs must be developed and
reviewed annually and must be in effect at the
beginning of each school year. The IEP may be
reviewed more than once a year if the parent or the
district requests a review.
– Georgia Department of Education

5. Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA)
• It is important to remember that under the
IDEA, the principles of universal design for
learning (UDL) suggest that teachers can
remove barriers to learning by providing
flexibility in materials, methods and
assessments (Cennamo, 2014)
• UDL implementation can include technology
and/or approaches that do not include
technology

6. Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA)
During reauthorization of the IDEA in 2004, the
National Instructional Materials Accountability
Standards requires that instructional materials
be accessible to ALL students, including digital
technology (Cennamo, 2014).

7. So who qualifies?
• According to the GDOE Web site, eligibility categories include but
are not limited to:
– Autism
– Deafblind
– Deaf/Hard of Hearing (D/HH)
– Emotional & Behavioral Disorder
– Intellectual Disabilities
– Orthopedic Impairment
– Other Health Impairment
– Significant Developmental Delay
– Significant Learning Disability
– Speech Language Impairment
– Traumatic Brain Injury
– Visual Impairment & Blindness

8. Do Not Forget!
• Children shall be educated in the least
restrictive environment possible with children
who are not disabled
• Parents have a right to disagree with the
decisions made by the school
• Unless there is a severe circumstance,
students should be taught in traditional
classroom settings

9. Inclusion
• According to the Georgia Department of
Education, the term "inclusion" means that
students with disabilities participate in the same
activities as their peers without disabilities
including, general education classes,
extracurricular organizations, and social activities.
• The term inclusion also implies that students are
provided services and supports in the general
education setting before being removed to a
special education classroom or excluded from an
activity.

10. Assistive Technologies
• What is it exactly?
– Any item, piece of equipment, or product system
used to increase, maintain or improve functional
capabilities of individuals with a disability
(Cennamo, 2014).
– Even if you do not plan on teaching special
education, AT can be used in a general education
classroom.

11. Remember…
• 95 percent of students between the ages of
six and 21 with disabilities served under IDEA
spend time in general education classrooms
• Under the new law, students with disabilities
are assessed alongside their peers without
disabilities
• Technology can remove barriers and make
learning easier for the entire classroom

12. What types of technology do you use?
• Low-tech
– Spell checkers
– Enlarging print and visuals
• Mid-tech
– Audio/video recorders
– Word-processing software
• High-tech
– Environmental controls
– Text-to-speech software

13. Or you can use traditional methods of
teaching without technology
• Use reading material that is printed with
LARGE text
• Collaborative learning exercises that engage
the students with one another creating a
social network in order to get the work done
• Engage students in acting out stories to help
with memorization of the material they are
learning to read

14. Resources for Teachers

15. Resources – Training
The Georgia Learning Resources System (GLRS) is a network of 17 regional programs that
provide training and resources to school district personnel, parents of students with
disabilities, and other interested individuals to support the achievement, graduation
rate, and post-secondary success of students with disabilities. The programs are funded
by the Georgia Department of Education, Divisions for Special Education Services and
Supports, and are operated in collaboration with Regional Educational Service Agencies
and local school districts that serve as fiscal agents for the programs. GLRS programs are
funded entirely with federal discretionary funds made available through the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) (GDOE, 2015).

16. Resources – Applications
Articles include:
– 5 Excellent Tools to Assist Visually Impaired
Students with Mobile Technology
– Free Website Provides an Alternative Pathway to
Vocabulary Development
– Learning Disability Apps and Important
Innovations Under Way

17. Resources – Associations
http://www.naset.org/
Even if you are not a special education teacher,
the National Association of Special Education
Teachers Web site is a vast resource of
information and tools to help teach all students.

18. Resources – Lesson Plans
A subscription service that provides articles, videos
and lesson plans to assist teachers in every subject
area. For example, there is a section titled, Assistive
Technology for Students with Mild Disabilities.

19. Questions?

20. References
Armstrong, T. (2013, April 9). 7 Ways to Bring Out the Best in Special-
Needs Students. Retrieved October 1, 2015, from http://
www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2013/04/08/fp_armstrong.html
Awesome Free Ed Tech Resources eBook! (n.d.). Retrieved October 1,
2015, from http://www.emergingedtech.com/category/special-
needs-students/
Behrmann, M. (n.d.). Assistive Technology for Students with Mild
Disabilities. Retrieved October 1, 2015, from https://
www.teachervision.com/assistive-technology/teaching-methods/
3791.html
Behrmann, M. (n.d.). Assistive Technology for Students with Mild
Disabilities. Retrieved October 1, 2015, from https://
www.teachervision.com/assistive-technology/teaching-methods/
3791.html

21. References
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2014). Customizing Student Learning
Activities. In Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A
standards-based approach (2nd ed.). Belmont, California: Wadsworth.
Considering Assistive Technology for Students with Disabilities. (n.d.).
Retrieved September 30, 2015, from http://www.gpat.org/Georgia-
Project-for-Assistive-Technology/Pages/Considering-Assistive-
Technology-for-Students-with-Disabilities.aspx
NASET Home Page. (n.d.). Retrieved September 30, 2015, from
http://www.naset.org/
Georgia Learning Resources System. (n.d.). Retrieved September 30, 2015,
from http://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/
Special-Education-Services/Pages/Georgia-Learning-Resources-
System.aspx
Special Education Rules. (n.d.). Retrieved September 30, 2015, from http://
www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Special-
Education-Services/Pages/Special-Education-Rules.aspx