Assistive Technology

What is assistive technology? Identify a piece of assistive technology used in an educational setting. Use
the questions below to address the assistive technology identified. When and how would these
technologies be used?
Assistive technology (AT) is any tool that helps students with disabilities do things more quickly,
easily or independently. It can be elaborate and expensive or simple and low-cost. Assistive technology
services are supports for using assistive technology devices, such as assistive technology evaluations,
equipment maintenance, technical assistance, demonstration or training. One of the Recorded books allow
users to listen to text and are available in a variety of formats, such as audiocassettes, CDs, and MP3
downloads. Special playback units allow users to and search and bookmark pages and chapters.
Subscription services offer extensive electronic library collections. The recorded books are used for
students who have reading problems and also seeing problems. http://www.greatschools.org/specialeducation/assistive-technology/954-audio-books-publications.gs
When and how would these technologies be used? What kind of teacher training is involved?
School staff, classroom aides, family members, and service providers who will be delivering
assistive technology services to the student will likely need more intense training on the device. Part of
this training should include instruction on setting up and using the device, working with the modifications
to the device, learning to troubleshoot problems, and making use of the device to meet the students
educational goals. Hands-on training is an essential element of this training. Staff training should be
provided on a regular basis since the field of assistive technology changes rapidly. Staff will need regular
updates on the latest technology. The school district should provide staff development on assistive
technology (i.e., bringing in presenters and giving those with expertise time to share their knowledge).
Staff will also need individual time for hands-on skill development with more complex technologies.
Conferences are also a good source for information. The Assistive Technology Partnership (ATP)
promotes awareness of assistive technology and offers statewide consultation and trainings on
technology, focusing on the latest developments. Training and technical assistance offered by ATP
includes:Individualized assessments for home, school, and worksite modifications; Early childhood and
school solutions; Web site assessments for accessibility; Training on early childhood/school age
development and technology services; Training on a wide range of assistive devices; and Training for
accessible web site design. http://www.atp.ne.gov/techassist/training.html
What are the costs associated with the use of the technology?
There is no one answer to this question. It will depend upon the particular technology, its user,
and its use. First, however, and most importantly, you have to find out what assistive technology you
need. Many kinds of assistive technology may cost you little or nothing and that is true even for some
very expensive items. Here are some examples: Schools systems pay for general special education
learning materials as well as technology specified in an IEP. Government programs (whether Social
Security, Veterans benefits, or state Medicaid agencies) pay for certain assistive technology if it is
prescribed by a doctor as a necessary medical device. Private health insurance pays for certain assistive
technology if it is prescribed by a doctor as a necessary medical device or used for rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation and job training programs, whether funded by government or private agencies, may pay for

assistive technology and training to help people get a job. Employers may pay for assistive technology
that is determined to be a reasonable accommodation, so an employee can perform essential job tasks.
There may be other sources of funds in your state or community, including private foundations, charities
and civic organizations. ATIA has developed a Funding Resources Guide to provide you with sources and
resources that you can investigate and explore as prospective funding options. In addition, almost all
companies that sell assistive technology can give you more specific answers about funding opportunities
for their products and may help you find financial support from these or other funding sources.
Sometimes people have to use their own money for the assistive technology they think is important. But
remember that persistence pays. Funding availability has changed over the years, and some technology
that was not covered only a few years ago is now funded. Find the technology you need first then look
for the money. http://www.atia.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3859
What experience do you have or anticipate with the use of the technology?
For me I have no experience with assistive technology, but I would want to learn about it. I hope
to be able to use this equipment successfully on my students if I have to in my classroom. What is
wireless technology? Identify a piece of wireless technology used in an educational setting. When viewed
as a method of data transport, wireless technology appears very similar to wired technology. You have a
piece of hardware, a method of transmission, and connections on both ends that transform data from
human-intelligible to transportable and back. For both wired and wireless technology, the range of
transmission is an issue. You can't move your laptop 15 feet from the cable or Ethernet jack when
depending on a 10-foot cable. Similarly, you can't go out for a jog and expect your cordless phone to keep
a connection five miles away from its receiver. But, if you get a wireless router, you can easily move your
laptop 15 feet away from the wall jack; and, if you have a cellular phone, you can go jogging five miles
away from your house and still take calls (as long as your service provider has cell towers in range).The
methods of connection and ranges of available service vary in wireless technology just as they do in wired
technology. Cordless home telephones have a more limited range than cellular phones; infrared
transmissions have a more limited range than radio-wave (including microwave) transmissions. Different
types of wireless solutions can communicate ten feet, ten miles, or with a satellite in orbit.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless
When and how would these technologies be used? What kind of teacher training is involved?
Wireless technology can be used in the classroom as far as with projects and other things. If you
want your students to work on a classroom project, wireless technology will be able to let them use laptop
without hooking up chords. Some places that teacher can train are different websites online. .As part of
our educational outreach to schools through our Education & Technology Program, each summer the
ARRL offers multiple sessions of the Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology, a 4-day expenses paid
professional development seminar, in locations through the U.S. The Teachers Institute has provided
teachers from elementary school to the university level with tools and strategies to introduce basic
electronics, the science of radio, space technology and satellite communications, as well as weather
science, introduction to micro-controllers and basic robotics in their classrooms. The curriculum is
designed for motivated teachers and other school staff who want to learn more about wireless technology
and bring that knowledge to their students. http://www.arrl.org/teachers-institute-on-wireless-technology

What are the costs associated with the use of the technology? What experience do you have or
anticipate with the use of the technology?
Wireless technology is quite expensive and can cost schools an arm and a leg. Schools can afford
wireless technology through the government. I am more familiar with wireless technology, just because it
is something I use every day. I plan on using wireless technology throughout my teaching career.
http://www.securedgenetworks.com/secure-edge-networks-blog/bid/57565/How-Much-Does-a-SchoolWireless-Network-Cost-vs-a-Wired-Network What does digital equity mean to you? It is a state in which
both the digital divide and the participation gap are bridged together. How do you see these practices in
your work or environment? As a teacher I feel as though you should be able to teach your students how to
incorporate the internet, but also teach them to use their minds as well. What key issues are raised that
teachers must consider to appropriately provide equitable technology access and learning opportunities
for all students? The teachers should make sure that the students are not just using technology to do their
work, but that they are actually learning what is being taught and that they are able to do it without
electronic help.