Assistive Technologies By: Kayla Meyers Technology for Teachers

Assistive Technologies By: Kayla Meyers Technology for Teachers

Assistive Technologies: How can a Blind or Visually Impaired Person Access the Graphical Web? There are several possibilities for blind or visually impaired individuals to access the graphical web depending on their impairment of course. Individuals with vision impairments are able to increase the text size on the computer screen to enhance their reading abilities. Blind individuals need special software such as a screen reader to access the graphical web. Screen readers tend to read the text that is on the users computer screen. Blind individuals need to have keyboarding skills to use this type of software. These programs are not cheap, but there are several free alternatives provided by the NV. http://www.freedomscientific.com/Products/Blindness/JAWS http://www.nvaccess.org/ http://www.gwmicro.com/window-eyes/ Works Cited: Gunter, Randolph E., and Glenda A. Gunter. Teachers Discovering Computers. Print.

Assistive Technologies What is Speech-to-Text Software? Speech-to-text software is used for individuals who have learning challenges. This software helps capture their thoughts producing a written assignment. There are several types of software that include a built-in processor that allows the assignment or test to be responded to electronically. This website is a great way to show exactly how speech-to-text software works. https://talktyper.com/ Works Cited: Gunter, Randolph E., and Glenda A. Gunter. Teachers Discovering Computers. Print.

Assistive Technologies Are there alternatives to keyboards? There are many individuals who do not have mobility in their hands to properly use a keyboard. There are several substitutes to help with this problem. Keyguards are used for a guide to allow the pressing a key one at a time. Also, there are keyboards that are displayed on the computer screen. Students use a pointing device such as a mouse or stylus to choose the letters of their choice. Touch screen devices are a wonderful alternative for keyboards. http://www.typeonline.co.uk/typingspeed.php *open on-screen keyboard to type using this link Works Cited: Gunter, Randolph E., and Glenda A. Gunter. Teachers Discovering Computers. Print.

Assistive Technologies What Are Some Ways to Use Assistive Technology to Help Students Learn? The number one assistive technology that I see in most classrooms and that tend to help students learn is the Smart Board. A Smart Board is basically a giant touch screen computer screen that includes electronic colored markers and an eraser. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v 0U05WeXPGlk Works Cited: Gunter, Randolph E., and Glenda A. Gunter. Teachers Discovering Computers. Print.

Assistive Technologies How could tablets help special needs students with their fine motor skills? Individuals that have an issue with their fine motor skills often find the use of a tablet much easier. The touch screen aspect allows the use of their fingers and or hands instead of an object like a pencil that can be hard to hold. Apps that can be found on tablets can be both entertaining and helpful at the same time as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v zzAe2MQNMGw Works Cited: Gunter, Randolph E., and Glenda A. Gunter. Teachers Discovering Computers. Print.

Assistive Technologies How Can I Choose the Best Software for Students with Special Needs? There are three aspects to determine the software for special needs children. Those aspects include quality, presentation information, and content. Technical quality should allow captions for audio files and video clips and should allow alternative input devices. Presentation of information should have visual and auditory directions even with the sound off. There should be sufficient time given to be able to read and understand the directions. The directions should be clear and plenty or examples are provided. The text must be legible by controlling the font size and easy to read. Finally, the content should be auditory or visual and different structures of information should be used. Works Cited: Gunter, Randolph E., and Glenda A. Gunter. Teachers Discovering Computers. Print.

Assistive Technologies How Can I Made My Own Accessible Web Page? There are guidelines that must be followed to create a web page. The creator must understand that any accessible webpage can by used by anyone. A teacher must use valid codes to endure the validity of the program. The use of cascading style sheets is a must when formatting pages. There must also be text alternatives to images. This should be a descriptive phrase of the image for screen readers to listen to. Make meaning of independent color. Try not to use color words, try shapes instead. Include links that are visible. Row and column tables should only be used for data. Scripts should not be depended on. Always caption a video. Works Cited: Gunter, Randolph E., and Glenda A. Gunter. Teachers Discovering Computers. Print.

Assistive Technologies How can I Integrate Technology in the Special Needs Curriculum? There are four aspects to follow when integrating technology in a special needs curriculum. These include the use of graphic organizing, digital video editing software, digital media tools, and data base tools. In graphic organizing students may create flowcharts/ timelines, comparison charts, and or a concept map. In digital video editing students may create video clips with a title and or caption. In digital media students may author and illustrate multimedia books, and or prepare and illustrate researched information. In the database tools students may collect and organize information, or create a data base report and or tables based off of the information. Works Cited: Gunter, Randolph E., and Glenda A. Gunter. Teachers Discovering Computers. Print.

Assistive Technologies What Other Input Devices Can Benefit Students with Special Needs? There are a variety of input devices for students with special needs. For example, there are head- mounted pointers that allow the individual to control the pointer itself. Also, there are switches that are used like a mouse button that can either be kicked, tapped, or even swiped. Works Cited: Gunter, Randolph E., and Glenda A. Gunter. Teachers Discovering Computers. Print.

Works Cited Works Cited: Gunter, Randolph E., and Glenda A. Gunter. Teachers Discovering Computers. Print.