Assistive Technology Embedded Within Windows 7

The assistive technology embedded within a computer's OS is not something that many people may take in to consideration when purchasing a PC, but for those who need it, it is a wonderful resource.

I began my exploration of the different options that Windows 7 provided by looking to this Microsoft page which explained just how easy it was to access the technology.  By simply pressing the windows key and the letter "U", I was brought to the screen below:

The options for different assistive technology within Windows is quite impressive.  In the section at the top, a simple mouse click allows for any one of the options to be chosen.  When I selected the magnifier, it doubled the size of the text on the screen, which makes it easier for those who may have vision problems but are not blind to be able to see the screen.  The narrator option was just as easily activated, and it serves to read text as you mouse over it.  This could help vision-impaired persons, or it could be a benefit to those who suffer from dyslexia, or any disability that makes reading problematic.  The on screen keyboard allows for users to utilize their mouse on a pop-up keyboard, which will assist anyone who might suffer from a disorder such as cerebral palsy to still manipulate a keyboard and put their thoughts down on a page.  The last option up top to "set up high contrast" seems like something that may be useful to all users if the glare from the screen is causing eye strain, but it doesn't seem like it provides any particular benefit to those suffering from a disability or disorder.



For those that would like to utilize it, speech recognition software can be activated.  This could be useful to someone who is a quadriplegic, or who suffers from a disorder that affects motor control in their hands.  There are also options to make the keyboard or mouse easier to use, settings to help readers focus on the screen more easily, and an option to use text or visual cues as a substitute for sounds.  Overall, the AT that is available within the OS is fairly inclusive for a large segment of the population that may suffer from any of the disorders/disabilities discussed, and many more that were not touched upon.

Assistive Technology in the Classroom

                                                     

                         (graphic courtesy of http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/at/at_02.html)

Classrooms across the country have become far more inclusive in recent years, and a lot of that is due to the usage of assistive technology that has become far more common.  Resources that can be utilized vary nearly as much as the ways they can be put to use by educators for students that need assistance.

Websites such as enablemart.com now exist with a plethora of solutions for each student.  One fairly expensive piece of equipment that is available there is the QiCare Page Turner, which allows students to be able to read books in a more independent manner.  The device (or a less expensive alternative) allows the child to read a book or magazine in a "hands free" manner, which lets them focus solely on reading the material in front of them.  The pages are turned by the student pressing a button or switch, or in the case of the QiCare product, by using a foot pedal.

Not every solution has to be a high-tech or expensive process.  Prince George County in Maryland has put together this site that offers many low-cost or no-cost solutions for students and teachers.  Some of the solutions offered for issues with perception include the use of large print books/magazines, the use of headphones, and the use of manipulatives amongst many others. For those students that struggle with fluency and/or communication, they suggest word banks, using procedural checklists, and blocks or 3D models.

To bookend the thought of the expensive technology that may be available at specialty sites such as EnableMart, this site that many products that are available at local stores, or may already be in the classroom waiting to be used.  One low-tech option, low-cost option is a specialized rubber pencil grip, which allows students that need assistance grasping their pen or pencil to have better use of their writing utensil.

Whether it is a PDA, an iPad (or other type of tablet), or a simple pair of headphones, the range of assistive technology is nearly endless, and the benefits to the students are as well.

QuestGarden Review

QuestGarden offers up a variety of webquests for learners of all ages across a broad range of topics.  Some of these webquests are fun-filled, exciting adventures that really engage learners, but there are others that are nothing more than the modern equivalent of a worksheet.  Below there is an example of both a good and a bad webquest, along with the reasoning for why they were graded in such a manner.

Claire Ulmer’s webquest sends learners back in time in an attempt to recreate the journey of immigrants who were coming through the doors of Ellis Island in New York.  Ms. Ulmer does an excellent job with the general overall appearance of her quest, and the details of what the student should accomplish throughout the quest are well-laid out.  Learners are sent on an adventure to find out the process and in some way gain an appreciation for what it was like for immigrants who came through New York's Ellis Island.  Within the webquest there is a plethora of historical information, graphics, and links to outside sources to further the learners' quest.

Ms. Delgado's webquest, on the other hand starts out with great promise before quickly fizzling out.  The concept for the task is based on the book The Incredible Journey by Sheila Bumford, and what learners are supposed to do is go on a similar style journey from Evansville, Indiana to Michigan City, Indiana.  The only graphic anywhere in the webquest is that of an interstate map, which might draw learners in for a brief moment, but then there is nothing but text.  There are links to access information, but not all of them were in working order at the time the webquest was reviewed.  It's a rather mundane experience and I would not expect it to hold the learner's attention long enough for them to successfully accomplish the stated goal.

The Flipped Classroom

In Mary Beth Hertz's overview of what a flipped classroom is, and the pros and cons of running one, she goes through scenarios where a flipped classroom may work.

A good working definition of what a flipped classroom is would be an environment that allows children to learn at their own pace, so that they feel they are making progress.  In her article, a lot of emphasis is placed on the role of videos being utilized in order to carry this mission out.  The down side of that process was that not all schools have access to the necessary equipment or technology to carry out this plan, and she specifically mentioned rural areas that may not have high speed internet.

I'm not 100% sure how I feel about possibly utilizing this strategy as a teacher.  My intention is to teach younger children (2nd grade, hopefully) and I would want to see what kind of studies have been done with regard to how video learning affect the minds of children that age.  At the same time, if it was a benefit to a segment of the class, then I think it could be a good tool to help those who are not learning at the same pace as their classmates keep up.  Helping students learn is the primary goal of a teacher, so it will become necessary to be better educated on how flip classrooms are panning out across the country, with special consideration to the age group I plan on teaching before I make a final decision as to whether I would utilize it in a classroom.

The Role of Technology in the Classroom

Dr. Perry's thoughts on how technology is a dual-edged sword for both teacher/parents and student/children.  Through pointed questions, he gets to the heart of the matter:  technology that engages children (such as computers) is something that has a learning benefit, while passive technology (such as television) is something that should be avoided.  Television not only is a passive technology, but time spent watching it could be better utilized involved with other developmental experiences.

He also believes that there is a time and a place for different types of learning, and that what might be appropriate for a teenager might not be appropriate for a toddler or a young child.  Part of this comes from what content is involved, and whether or not it is age appropriate, but also it comes down to if an action is appropriate for an older child.  As he noted, it would not be proper for a 14 year old to miss an afternoon of school to be at home being coddled and rocked (though I would argue that in certain extreme situations, this may be called for, regardless of the age of the child.)

The major theme that he hit on is that children need to be actively engaged in the way that best suits them at their personal level for learning.  Videos, computers, games, and even cards all can play a role in a child's development if they are utilized at the proper time and with care.  The key is for their to be interaction and to allow a child's natural curiosity help steer her/his ability to learn.

My thoughts on the subject weren't overwhelmingly changed by what Dr. Perry presented, because a lot of what he says feels intuitive.  Anyone who has had the opportunity to watch young children knows that they want to learn as much as they can from whatever source will best provide it for them.  With regard to television, I know that most times when I watch, I feel more lethargic than active, so I am not surprised at all with his conclusion that it is a more passive technology that is not necessarily suited for younger children to learn from.

First Time Blogger

I am looking forward to sharing thoughts and opinions in this space at a later time, but for now, it's just getting started.