The document discusses technology used in special education for middle school students. It outlines various types of assistive technologies and software that can help with communication, research, problem solving, and productivity. Examples of adaptive devices and interactive whiteboards are provided. Laws like IDEA promote accessibility in education for students with special needs. Overall, the document shows how technology advances have created more opportunities for students with disabilities to learn and achieve.

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Technology in Special
Education - Middle School
By: Lauren Littrell, Wendy Orman and Kristen
Adams

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Most Important Concepts
 Variety of special needs and trends (mainstreaming)
 SEIMCs
 Types of assistive/instructional technology
 http://www.microsoft.com/enable/at/types.aspx - website that lists different types
of assistive technologies.
 Laws and Policies
 Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities
 Reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
 No Child Left Behind
 Tech-PACK
 http://www.isbe.state.il.us/spec-ed/html/assist_tech.htm - website for the
Illinois State Board of Education on assistive technology.

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How Technology Can Help
 Communication – Dynavox
 http://www.dynavoxtech.com/products/
 Conducting research – Internet search on products and prices
 Solving problems – Dynavox, Braille, sip-and-puff systems,
joysticks, etc.
Source:
http://www.dynavoxtech.com/img/products/maest
ro/overview/maestro-1_large.jpg

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Productivity Tools
 JAWS Software – for emails and research
 http://www.freedomscientific.com/products/fs/jaws-product-page.asp
 Products that Magnify Text – can help with all programs
 http://www.enablemart.com/Catalog/Screen-Magnification
 Input Devices – can help with all programs
 http://home.olemiss.edu/~misbook/hm4.htm

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Multimedia Tools
 Assistive technology has several elements of multimedia
 Pictures used for communication instead of words
 JAWS or any other audio program that reads words aloud
 Instructional videos to assist in understanding
 Subtitles on instructional videos for hearing
Source: http://biala.org.au/images/photos/Carly-in-
class-using-her-computer.jpg

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Adaptive and Assistive Devices
BAT keyboard $199
Optimax Wireless Joystick $395
Add On Touch Screen $199

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Correct Use of Resources
 http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/bweinert/304code.htm - code of
conduct for technology
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yvQShGmDeA - YouTube,
showing how beneficial it is for using technology for special
needs children

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Trackstar
 Track # 70834 Social Issues associated with Special Education
 http://trackstar.4teachers.org/trackstar/ts/viewTrack.do?number
=70834
 Has four different websites that are very helpful
 Very easy to navigate throughout the website
 Beneficial for both teachers and students

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Software
$130
that teaches our students
how to access the computer
$115
Works on words
and concepts
$149
Word Prediction

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Assessing Students
 The Level I assessment does not require any instruments or
specialized testing.
 Conducted by trained vocational evaluator or guidance counselor
 Interviews are conducted with the teacher and parent/guardian
 Data collected is review by educational eligibility
 Assessments can include a review of student aptitudes,
achievements, interests, learning style, behaviors, and
occupational exploration activities.

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Integrated Lesson Plans
 Students would conduct these lesson plans in an integrated
classroom.
 Lesson 1 – Marshmallow catapults, science
 Students would create a catapult in science that needs to fly
marshmallows in the air at least 5 meters!
 http://betterlesson.com/lesson/3412/marshmallow-catapults
 Lesson 2 – Roar Shack Poetry, language arts
 Students create a poem to help them describe how they feel.
 The students are encouraged to use bright colors and pictures to
help them express themselves.
 http://teachers.net/lessons/posts/3278.html

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Interactive Whiteboards
 Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, St. Augustine, FL.
 SMART Boards are in 14 of the 17 middle school classrooms
 The SMART board makes classrooms come alive at FSDB.
 DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking and Technology)
 Program from the University of Washington
 Promotes the use of computer and networking technologies to increase
independence, productivity and participation.
Source:
http://sharingtechnology.blogspot.com/2011/05/put-
your-smart-board-to-use.html

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Summary
 Nowadays there are so many different types of physical, mental
and emotional disabilities children can have. However, with the
help of laws and policies, assistive technology is making education
more accessible for them.
 Special Educated students in the Middle School years are
introduced to several types of software programs and interactive
ways of learning.
 With the technology advances we have today, students with
disabilities should be able to be successful and achieve just as
much as any other child.
 As a group we learned a lot of new information on how to teach
and what to use for special needs children in their middle school
years.

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Delicious
A list of all the sites used for this presentation can be found at:
http://www.delicious.com/ormanw/

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Works Cited
 Roblyer, M., & Doering, A. H. (2013, 2010, 2006, 2003, 2000). Integrating Educational
Technology into Teaching (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education,
Inc.
 Chico, G., & Koch, D. C. (n.d.). Assistive Technology. Retrieved (2012, October 26) from
http://www.isbe.state.il.us/spec-ed/html/assist_tech.htm
 Dynavox Mayer-Johnson. (2012). Dynavox Inc.. Retrieved (2012, October 26) from
http://www.dynavoxtech.com/products/
 Microsoft. (2012). Types of Assistive Technology Products. Retrieved (2012, October 26)
from http://www.microsoft.com/enable/at/types.aspx
 Freedom Scientific, Inc. (2012). Jaws Screen Reading Software. Retrieved (2012, October
26) from http://www.freedomscientific.com/products/fs/jaws-product-page.asp
 enablemart. (1999-2012). Screen Magnification. Retrieved (2012, October 26) from
http://www.enablemart.com/Catalog/Screen-Magnification
 Daeryong, K. (1996). Input Devices. Retrieved (2012, October 26) from
http://home.olemiss.edu/~misbook/hm4.htm

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Works Cited Cont.
 Anderton, D., & Hammond, J. (Designer). (2008). Carly in class using her computer. [Web
Photo]. Retrieved (2012, October 26) from http://biala.org.au/2008_school_photos.html
 DynaVox, Inc. (Producer). (2012). Dynavox Maestro. [Web Photo]. Retrieved (2012,
October 26) from http://www.dynavoxtech.com/products/maestro/
 (2012). Lake Shore Central School District. Retrieved from
http://www.lakeshore.wnyric.org/Page/2186
 Kujawski, D. (2010, February 1). Marshmallow catapult designs. Retrieved from
http://betterlesson.com/lesson/3412/marshmallow-catapults
 Mechelle De Craene M.Ed. (2004, 11 Nov). Teachers.net. Retrieved from
http://teachers.net/lessons/posts/3278.html
 Neal Starkman. (2003). Interactive whiteboards keep special ed students engaged in their
learning. Retrieved from http://thejournal.com/articles/2005/03/03/interactive-whiteboards-
keep-special-ed-students-engaged-in-their-learning--03032005.aspx

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Works Cited Cont.
 Barcalow, T., Creech, M., Gerrietts, G., Marassa, M., Sallas, P., Sierra-Perry, M., & Weinert,
B. (2001). Code of Technology Ethics for Educators. Retrieved from
http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/bweinert/304code.htm
 Lowe, S. (2001, October 3). Social Issues Associated with Special Education. Retrieved
from http://trackstar.4teachers.org/trackstar/ts/viewTrack.do?number=70834
 Kvisionarymedia. (Producer). (2011). Mobile Technology- Benefits for Students with
Special Needs at Eastern Howard Elementary School . [Web Video]. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yvQShGmDeA