Assistive technologies in the classroom can create great opportunities for students with physical and intellectual disabilities and can help drive inclusion in the classroom. We spoke with Inclusive Education Canada Associate, Gabrielle Young, PhD, who is an Assistant Professor, Special Education at the Faculty of Education, Memorial University of Newfoundland, on the benefits of using assistive technologies.
Q. How can assistive technologies help in creating a more inclusive classroom?
A. Assistive technology refers to devices and services that are used to increase, maintain, or improve the capabilities of a student with a disability. In comparison to other interventions, assistive technology may have a significant effect in helping students with disabilities progress towards the goals outlined on their Individual Education Plans. Assistive technology helps in two ways: it can help the student learn how to complete the task and it can help to bypass an area of difficulty.
Computer-assisted instruction refers to software and applications that have been designed to provide instruction and practice opportunities on a wide range of devices. Computer-assisted instruction provides immediate and dynamic feedback and students with learning disabilities can benefit from this nonjudgmental computerized drill and practice. Computer-assisted instruction has been shown to be helpful for students with learning disabilities in spelling and expressive writing skills as this software can reduce distractibility, and can help students learn to read and practice math drills.
Q. What changes have you seen in students who have started using assistive technologies in the classroom?
- Text-to-speech software helps students to bypass the task of decoding words. Seeing individual words highlighted as the text is read aloud may help to improve students’ sight word vocabulary.
- Speech-to-text software bypasses the tasks of handwriting and spelling, allowing the student to concentrate on developing their ideas and planning their work.
- Speech-to-text software bypasses the tasks of handwriting and spelling, allowing the student to concentrate on developing their ideas and planning their work.
Q. What benefits are there for educators to use assistive technologies? What are the benefits to children with and without intellectual and physical disabilities to learn together in regular classrooms?
A. When embedded within the inclusive classroom, assistive technology benefits students and teachers. Assistive technology enables students to be able to access the curriculum, allowing students to be independent, and providing students with self-confidence. In addition, assistive technology can boost motivation and engagement, allowing students with and without exceptionalities to reach their potential.
