Assistive Technology: Enhanced Learning for All

Wahl, L. (2003). Assistive Technology: Enhanced Learning for All. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/assistive-technology-enhances-learning-all

This article describes several different techniques for using technology with special needs students. Some of the technologies described are very specialized (A DeltaTalker, a device that speaks in response to commands sent by a head-mounted infrared pointer) while others are things that every student could benefit from (a computer program that pronounces difficult words while the student reads the rest). The article briefly mentions the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and its impact on the legal need for more technology for special needs classrooms. The article is fairly brief, and mostly seems to be an interesting list of success stories.

I know I will need to be attentive to the needs of all my future students, especially those with special needs. I think technology is an important tool in this area, for many reasons. First, because people with more expertise than I have developed these technologies for the benefit of students. Second, because it frees up more class time so I can teach all my students. And third, because many non-special-needs students can benefit from the technology. I hope whichever school I end up working at will have a broad range of useful technology for special needs students.