I’m currently a lecturer at the Waterford Institute of Technology, Ireland, in the area of computing. At present, I’m doing research into the area of how best to support groups with learning disabilities, adjust to the changes enforced through technology.
Everyday, we all have to learn a new task or learn a new way of doing something because of technology…what is the best way to support those who don’t learn as fast or as well as others. While technology plays a hugely important role in the assistance of learning, can it be the barrier as well as the solution?!?
Any assistance, advice, recommended reading is all greatly appreciated.
Re: Technology as a barrier
Ditto to the above. Usually, I just give up. If I call a support line or customer service line for help, the person on the other end is not trained to help. If you go on live chat tech help, the “helpers” are often arrogant and impatient. So, like I said, I just give up and don’t get things done that I need to do. IT’s frustrating.
Re: Technology as a barrier
Thanks a million to all who replied, your input in invaluable. Some of you asked me to be more specific about what I’m researching, so….
The main topics I’m looking at include:-
1. What are the biggest problems faced as a result of technology, in everyday life
2. In what ways can technology be improved to reduce the difficulties it poses
3. Are there other ways to support the learning of technologies, such as better training manuals, instructions, etc.
If I can identify the most difficult problems that are caused by technology for those with learning difficulties, then I can look at what are the best ways to assist and support them.
I think the best way that technology can help the learning disabled is for the people who create the technology to have a good understanding of what a learning disability is. Technology certainly can be a barrier. For instance, the learning curve needed to use in take advantage of computers is a major hurdle. I would hope that the makers of Macintosh computers would have the sensitivity and intuition to provide learning disability friendly solutions. The reason I mention Macintosh is because Bill Gates is a greedy creep and the Windows operating system is a pain in the ass.
I am dictating this post with DragonDictate voice recognition software. It works fairly well.
I can’t speak with great authority on learning disability per se as a learning disabilities that I suffer from are a result of the brain injury. In my case memory is a problem. One possible suggestion would be to study the neuroscience. also I would suggest that you consult with neural psychologists and learning disabled people. I caution you however, I believe the word learning disability has become a catch all term for something that is a very complex neurological impairment. I’m unclear as to exactly what your line of work as but if it involves computers than an understanding of brain would benefit you greatly.
I’m sure that you know better than me what a double-edged sword technology can be. I think the term user-friendly would be a good place to start. Imagine if a piece of technology were easy to use for learning disabled person just think how well that piece of technology will be received by the non-learning disabled person.
What learning disabled people are looking for in my opinion are solutions. We have plenty of hurdles. One thing I have a problem with is my cell phone. Because I have visual problems, not eyesight problems, it takes me a long time to dial most seven or 11 digit numbers. The cell phone does not allow me enough time to dial. When that happens I get angry and I think that must be difficult for blind people who use and Ericsson cell phone. I also think how arrogant the engineers and designers of that piece of equipment must be. The way that I cope with technology is to avoid some of it and take advantage of some of it.
Technology in many ways is a barrier to learning disabled and cognitively challenged individual. In my case some of it could be resolved with more thoughtful designs.
I think that if the creators of technology realized that there is a significant market of learning disabled people perhaps they would be enthusiastic about exploiting that market.