Field+Based+Activities+Reflection+VI.B

Standard VI B is about using technology resources to enaboe and empower learners with diverse backgrounds, characteristics and abilities (Williamson & Redish, 2009). Some readings and quotes always stick in my mind, and I was reminded of the story by Dr. Rae Niles (as cited by Pitler, Hubell, Kuhn & Malenosky, 2007) about a special ed student in a school wth a one to one initiative. When asked by a visiting superintendent if the one to one computer access was really making a difference, the student replied, '"Sir, I'm special ed, and I've been special ed all my life. But with this thing here," he said, pointing to his laptop computer, "with this, I'm just as smart as the next kid."'

When I was contacted by our special ed teacher regarding available adaptive technology for a student who has problems with cognitive processing speed, as well as with short term memory, the question that was posed to me was "What kind of adaptive technology is available to help this student?" I set out to find some possibe solutions to present at the upcoming staffing. Most of the suggestions involved recording teacher lectures to listen to later, as well as making verbal notes into a small recording device. There were some other options, but as I read them, it seemed to me that for a person with cognitive processing speed, adding more things to do would be destracting. The main thing that seemed to be a possibility was text to speech software options.

At the staffing, t he adaptive technology specialist from the district quickly reminded us that it does not matter what is available, what we must determine is what is needed. Then we must make it available. That goes along with what I learned early in the Educational Technology Leadership program - that curriculum must drive the technology, not the other way around. In the case of adaptive technology, the law dictates that we provide what ever resources are necessary.

In this case, the main area of discussion was audio books and text to speech software. The conclusion of the meeting was to provide text to speech software on all the computers the student uses at school. The great thing about it is that the computers in the library that will have this software can be use by anybody. A student doesn't have to be designated as special ed, or have official accommodations to benefit form text to speech software.

Since we have decided to eventually install this on all school computers, we will offer staff training at the start of the next school year.

References

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E. R., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007).//Using technology with classroom instruction that works//. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

Williamson, J. & Redish, T. (2009). I // STE's technology facilitation and leadership standards: What every K-12 leader should know and be able to do //. Eugene, Or: International Society for Technology in Education.