Assistive Technology...

     Assistive technology is a device or an equipment that can help a person with disabilities learn and communicate better. It helps them by working with and sometimes around their challenges while helping them using their strengths. Even though it says technology, it doesn’t mean that it is just technology. It can be simple adaptive tools like highlighters and flash cards or it can be high tech tools like text-to-speech software or any software that can help them online. There is going to be students in your class that have a learning disability, whether it be slight or noticeable. You need to be able to look out for these things. Some students may be able to use high lighter to label their work so they know what goes where and they can see the colors and know, some students however, like students that dyslexia, some need to use the text to speech software because it is hard for them to read and understand. However, you will always have the slight issue of some of your students not needing the assistive technology help and they might see other students using it and want to use it as well. Especially at a young age, kids get very jealous and want to do the things that other people do. They tend to yell out “that’s not fair” because they simply just don’t understand. I think this is the chance to take time to explain why. I think you should take time in your class to explain about the differences in people and how everyone needs help. You should probably ask their parents before you do this though, I defiantly recommend this because some parents feel as though it is their place to take care of it. So just remember, sometimes you must take the time out and change your plans to fit certain criteria or something that comes up. If you have questions of it being acceptable to certain parents, I recommend calling them or emailing them to ask. There is nothing wrong with that.