LOW TECH AND LITERACY FOR
OLDER STUDENTS
Presenter(s)
Lori Dahlquist
Adaptivation, Inc.
Day Phone: 605—335—4445
Fax: 605—335—4446
Email: lori@adaptivation.com
Attend
this session and receive many functional ideas for increasing the availability
of accessible literacy activities for inclusion of older students. In order for
literacy instruction to be successful, we must use user—friendly technology,
and address the unique issues of this age group, such as finding and adapting
appropriate reading materials. This presentation will draw on a pool of over 50
technology based classroom applications which focus on the use of technology
for literacy instruction for older students with severe disabilities. Participants
will leave with ideas they will be able to use in their own classrooms.
The
inclusion of children with disabilities into literacy instruction ‘requires
that the classroom curriculum be applicable and accessible, in order for
instruction to be successful, teachers and other classroom personnel must be
given tools which meet their needs as well as the needs of the students they
are serving. Often the technology available to a teacher is limited to what is
personally owned by their students. This poses many obstacles such as, little
hands-on teacher training with the device, unavailability to the teacher during
planning periods, and inability to utilize the same technology with a variety
of students. These obstacles greatly reduce the success of incorporating
technology into daily literacy activities.
Using
technology that meets the following criteria can facilitate inclusionary
activities that truly promote literacy instruction.
Ease
of Programming
Ease of Implementation—Important for the teacher as well as the peers, using
the technology.
Ability
to adjust programming to meet a variety of needs throughout the day.
Variety
of features such as varying input modes (object—based, picture—based, etc.),
timing options, and relay options.
Device
versatility (scanning, direct selection, switch input, number of messages)
•that can accommodate the changing needs of its user or users within the same
device.
Cost
effectiveness
The presentation will incorporate functional literacy application ideas
demonstrated with technology that meet the above criteria. Several technology
based applications, gathered from experienced professionals throughout the
country, will highlight the joint use of technology between disabled and
non-disabled peers.
Application
ideas will incorporate the use of communication aids, switches, computer
adaptations, and other assistive devices. Although the presentation will focus
on the use of products developed by Adaptivation, the ideas presented can
easily be implemented with other commercially available products. The format of
the presentation ‘will allow participants to share their own ideas and
experiences regarding technology and literacy instruction.
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