Assistive Technology Internet Modules

In my previous blog I discussed curriculum barriers and how to pinpoint barriers for students with disabilities.  I recently completed four modules on the Assistive Technology Internet Modules.  Any educators interested in learning more about the assistive technology and how to implement assistive technology in a student's IEP should explore this site.  It is highly informative. The following will discuss the four modules I completed and how the information will influence me as an educator.

AT Assessment Process in the School Environment:
This module provided information on who, when and how to select AT devices and services for children in the school environment.  There is an abundance of information on the SETT framework developed by Joy Zabala. SETT stands for Student, Environment, Task and Tools.  This framework is designed to help IEP teams consider possible AT devices for a student.  I know as move forward with my career in special education, I will remember the acronym SETT and how it is valuable in the decision-making process of selecting appropriate AT devices for students. Below is a chart demonstrating how to use SETT:

 

AT Consideration in the IEP Process:

This module focuses on the how and when to consider AT devices and services for students.  Through this module I learned there are three possible results of AT consideration: 1) "AT consideration results in no need for AT"  2) "AT consideration results in the need for AT. The teams knows the types of AT that will be used and how they will be implemented" 3) "AT consideration results in need for AT but the team needs more information about the student's abilities and needs, as well as possible AT options." This knowledge will help me in the future as I lead an IEP meeting and review a student's need for AT. 

AT Support and Services in the IEP:

This module provided information on where to include AT support and services in the IEP. This was informative for me because I have minimal experience writing IEP and the process can be very overwhelming, which made this module helpful to me.  I now where and what type of information to include in the IEP.  

Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR):

This module focused on ASR, which is a computer software used to assist children with writing. Through this module learned about the optimal environments for students to use ASR software in a quiet and semi-private environment. I also learned there are questions IEP teams need to consider when implementing ASR. Will the child need to leave the classroom to use the ASR?  Will the child miss important information leaving the learning environment? Can the child use the software independently? Is there a place to plug and charge the device?  These are questions I would not have considered unless I explored the ASR module. This knowledge will impact me in the future if/when I have student the need ASR and now I will be more prepared on how to handle the implementation of an ASR device.