Chapter 13 - Assistive Technology

Assistive technology is a tool to use in the classroom to provide assistance to students in all subject areas.  I currently use assistive technology on a daily basis to help every student in my classroom.  We use powerpoints for teaching, computer games for reviewing math lessons previously taught and for reviewing/reteaching and practicing, researching information for projects, and reading comprehension.  In the past, I had a student where I could not read his handwriting.  He was able to use a computer and type his spelling words in ABC order and type his spelling sentences.  When I had this student, third graders had to take the PACT writing.  He was able to type his writing assignment.  My students are currently using Compass.  This program ties the student to his/her scores on the MAP tests and provides what each student needs to review.  I use this as a station during guided reading time, and the scores are sent to me on the first of each month.  This way, I can monitor each student's progress.   

Many of the math programs in theis chapter provide individualized instruction/review for each student.  I need to check out many of the sites and incorporate them into my students' daily stations.  I have several students that are struggling with rounding, subtracting, and multiplying, and some of these math sites could enhance their review.  My students beg to get on the computers and onto the educational sites they are required to use.  Many of my students also use the pencil grippers daily, and I noticed a site to order them.  Since I teach cursive, having a set of these pencil grips would surely help students that have a hard time making correct cursive letters.  I need to make the time to visit a lot of the sites mentioned in this chapter. 

I don't have a student with special needs that must use assistive technology in my classroom.  After reading about the various technology tools/sites available, I can use all of this information to help with regular ed. students as well as low-performing students.  I do have four students that are struggling in math.  One of these students has failed math the entire year.  I plan to look try more of a variety of math sites to see if this will help him.  This chapter really opened my eyes even more to lots of available technologies that need to be incorporated into our classrooms.  Right now, I am so pressed for time in each lesson I teach.  I want to try to begin rotating my studnets on the computers before we start our day.  Even 10 to 15 minutes may help.