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Anyone using Technology?

Submitted by an LD OnLine user on

This board is SO quiet it leads me to wonder if anyone is using instructional technology or assistive technology with students with learning issues? I can’t imagine not using technology with my students because this is a tool that they take to so readily and are not initimated by. So many kids are engaged by using technology - it is wonderful to see their responses!
Anyone else using technology? Why or why not?

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 06/06/2003 - 8:12 PM

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You’re right, it’s a very quiet board. We use it. We haved gained much by using it and it has made ALL the difference in my daughter’s life.

Sometimes I think the “conversations” stray to include AT on other boards and not everyone comes to this one.

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 06/07/2003 - 9:49 PM

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Technology is almost so universal now that it’s not as “special” — and good bb communities are rare!

[%sig%]

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 06/08/2003 - 10:30 AM

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Sue,
I’m glad that has been your experience when you say technology is so universal. That hasn’t been my experience especially when it comes to using technology to reduce or remove the barriers to learning that students with disabilities face.
(It also would be like saying others BB topics like “Teaching Reading” or “Parenting a child with an LD” are so universal that they aren’t special. Those BB are much more active than this one. Just curious to know why. I think it’s because technology is NOT so universal and there aren’t that many educators using technology for kids with learning issues.)
Just my 2 cents……

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 06/12/2003 - 2:06 PM

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Here is a posting from a discussion on technology in November:

Author: Betty
Date: 11-12-02 09:46

Dear M.C.
Welcome to the world of the future with technology. Isn’t it wonderful
that
you have all these options. Make a choice - soon, don’t lose a minute of
the
opportunity to help your child. It makes a huge difference.

My daughter has used all the options you refer to. Kurzweil, WYNN and
Alpha
Smart. Each have a place and a duty to perform, as they are different.

WYNN is the shining star in my opinion. I have been exposed to both the
Kurzweil and WYNN. You install WYNN and you get to working on your own -
immediately - scan that page and poof! - it’s reading to you, change
your
fonts, background screens if you want - everything is easy to see,
understand and use, kind of plug and play. She uses it everyday, and is
finally succeeding. That’s the proof! A bonus was that the cost was
considerably less.

Kurzweil looks very smooth and “Windows” like - my daughter said that
she
always had to have a book of instructions with it. I used it myself when
we
were looking at programs, and found it a good program but terribly
expensive. My daughter took 2 semesters at Landmark College learning the
program of Kurzweil. These programs shouldn’t take that long to use or
work
with.

She can’t carry around a scanner and computer all day with WYNN on it
and
the college she attends doesn’t have either WYNN or Kurzweil. They do
have
an old program that scans and reads called Arkenstone-Ruby that is a
prehistoric version of a text to speech software program.

She carries around to class an Alpha Smart. It is a small,
indestructable (I
mean that literally) word processor that has 8 files that she can take
notes
(type) in her classes, then download them onto a word document when she
gets
home. It accomplishes the basic needs she has - not being able to write
correctly what is on the board, she doesn’t have to think about what or
how
to write the information. She can write ideas when they come to her
without
a lot of equiptment needed - outside, inside, at a small table, chair -
wherever and whenever. It does not scan or read, the screen is small,
but it
accomplishes what she needs.

The DANA looks likes the way to go however, with all the bells and
whistles,
programs installed. I have just seen it on their web site and think it
is a
great idea. But we have the Alpha Smart and it works just fine. The cost
for
the Dana isn’t that much more than the Alpha Smart. I would imagine that
the
Alpha Smart is a basic model of the Dana and the older students would
appreciate the Dana.

Just this mother’s impression! But don’t wait around - get something for
him
to learn with. You will never regret it!

Sincerely, Betty

Author: Bonnie Marshall
Date: 11-12-02 22:16

Can you provide me with the Links to the web site that offter these
products. They sound like something I’m looking for for myself and my
son.
I’m new to this like others and don’t even know where to start. Someone
smart will finally come up with the idea to have a store that sells all
this
stuff which will make it a lot easier for parents and schools. Just to
go to
one place and find everything thing your looking for. thank

Author: Betty
Date: 11-13-02 13:24

Dear Bonnie,

The way that we got involved was that my daughter Jackie was failing
every
class in college - we were at our wit’s end when I found the LDonline
forum.
Someone on the forum suggested that we contact the Bureau of Vocational
Rehabilitation in our state to see what services our daughter would
qualify
for. Also the College LD resourse department suggested it also.

Now your son is young enough that your school resourse department should
be
looking at these issues. They PROBABLY NOT SUGGEST THEM, because they
might
have to buy them for him, BUT they can proceed and help with writing for
grants. Most teachers that I have talked to don’t know about assistive
technology and what is available unless it is thrown in their face by a
smart thinking principal, and school board. Private education is worse
because they don’t have the funds to devote to these learning aids. Such
a
same for our children.

There are grants for help with reading with assistive technology. We
love
the WYNN program, as it is easy to use. Their web site is
www.freedomscientific.com - look under software, as they do many things
and
have many programs just for our kids.

Then look on www.alphasmart.com for the alpha smart and dana. These are
terrific technology aids. My daughter is finally able to copy down what
the
teacher puts on the board and still stay up with class instead of
thinking
how to write and spell words.

Another wonderful site to become familiar with is the Charles Schwab
website, www.schwablearning.org. This is full of great information.

A place to look for technology in one place is www.closingthegap.com.
Look
at their web site as it is for all types of learning needs, ones that
you
would not even begin to guess. Become familiar with the lingo, and email
each company for their input. Free advice never hurts.

Look in your phone book under state and local assistive technology
departments under that heading. Another place to look and ask for
suggestions are the local universities, and Jr. Colleges. I am pursuing
looking for educational therapist that will help Jackie coordinate all
these
things.

If you push enough and have enough determination to wait it out and play
their game, then perhaps he might qualify for state aid or the school
might
be able to direct you.

Then you need to become a strong advocate, because no one is going to
stand
up for your son but you. Schools have hundreds of children like ours -
what
makes our’s special is that they are our’s.

After fully investigating these web sites, then put in your seach engine
the
words, dylexia, or text to speech software, assistive technology - boy,
will
you get an armload of web sites.

Just do it soon!

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