http://www.edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2013/03/how-technology-helping-special-needs-students-excel
Technology has made it easier for special education students to participate in the general education classrooms. Today's devices make it possible to download several available types of assistive technologies: text-to-speech, sound amplifiers, braille displays, e-books, etc. Theses technologies allow students to understand concepts which in turn helps them keep up with their peers. One school in the article uses interactive whiteboards for the deaf and hard of hearing to help solidify vocabulary and language. Students are able to touch the screen and move words around to make sentences. The teacher also encourages students to explain their thinking which also helps them gain a deeper understanding and allows her to estimate the students' level of understanding. The whiteboards along with software called Microsoft Lync can also be effective tools for the visually impaired. For example, if used during math, the teacher can watch the student complete math problems and if any errors occur can show the student what to do differently and why.
Special education students who use assistive technologies:
- are able to work more independently
- are more confident
- are more able and willing to work collaboratively
- advocate for themselves
- challenge themselves
- seek new opportunities
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