Ed 199 Assistive Technology Reflection

Ashley Churchill
Professor Maurer
ED 199 Exploring Educator Identity
9 November 2020
Assistive Technology Reflection
By investing in students, teachers are opening the door to many opportunities. As

educators we know that even when students try their best to learn, sometimes they do not have
the skills or abilities necessary to accomplish all tasks. If we look for new ways to teach students,
keep expectations high, and celebrate successes (even the small ones) we will help students live a
fulfilling life. Throughout our class discussions I have learned a multitude of lessons about
assistive technology, universal design, and PATINS. The importance of the three are to help
students have the best educational experience possible. All students deserve to have accessible
education with lessons that fit into their lives.
Assistive technology (AT) is any technology that makes a student more independent.
Every teacher will experience a situation in which a student needs a modification or
accommodation, so the lessons that we learned are important for all teachers not just those in a
special education setting. One lesson we learned is that an accommodation is different than a
modification. An accommodation does not change the curriculum, so students do the same as
their peers, and all students have the same goals and expectations. The only change is how the
student accesses or experiences the lesson. One example would be to use the captions when on a
Zoom call, so the students who cannot hear are still able to access the lesson. Another example
would be to use Apple Clips to give instructions. As a teacher you could put the directions on a
video with captions so students who may not remember the directions can be more independent.
The students can watch the video as many times as they need to remember the instructions.
Accommodations are important to students who can be independent and accomplish the same
task with a small adjustment. The assistive technology can be that small adjustment that makes
students capable of learning independently. Slightly different from an accommodation, a
modification changes the curriculum and lowers goals and expectations. An example of a
modification would be to ask a kindergartener to learn to count from 1 to 20 instead of 1 to 100.
It is important to know the students you are working with, so you know if they need an
accommodation or modification. Other examples of assistive technology are:
 A keyboard with larger letters so people with vision impairments can still access the internet.
Many people use these keyboards and are still able to complete the same task as other
students.
 A sip and puff machine for people who do not have control or usage of their hands. This
could be used to control a computer, so those students that cannot use their hands still
have access to the internet.
 Audio books are important for students with dyslexia. Often, students that cannot read on
their own can accomplish the same tasks as other students with assistance from an audio
book. One example would be the app Read2Go.
 A braille keyboard could be used for blind students. Blind students can use the braille
keyboards, so they are still able to use a device such as an iPad or cellphone. This is
important for students to be able to access the online learning platforms like Canvas.
The universal design for learning (UDL) has connections to the assistive technology
because it is the use of multiple means of engagement, action, and representation. Not all
students are able to access the same materials. Some students cannot use paper and pencils.
Other students cannot read. UDL is the idea that all students should have equal opportunity to
learn in a school building. Teachers should prepare ahead of time, so when a student comes in
with a hearing or sight impairment they know exactly where to get braille or audio books. By
building relationships with students, you will understand what they need, and the teachers can
find the assistive technology that students need. The important part is teachers should be
prepared for instances that assistive technology is needed in the classroom. By being prepared,
teachers give all students the opportunity to engage in lessons, represent thoughts and ideas, and
express understanding.
Universal design is a concept bigger than just in classrooms. We learned about making all
places accessible to people. The importance is that people with disabilities want to be
independent too. This can be achieved by making all places accessible, so people with
disabilities can do things on their own. The people with disabilities are whole people, and they
have human drives. Everyone in the world needs to remember this when talking about people
with disabilities. I attached an image that describes the universal design for other buildings as
well as classrooms.
PATINS is an important non-profit in Indiana that works to match students with the
assistive technology they need to function well in school. PATINS stands for “promoting
achievement through technology and instruction for all students.” Any public school can borrow
assistive technology for their students to test out and request to get a student assistive
technology. The success of this project is related to the fact that all students have access to
assistive technology (private schools can request through the public school the students receive
support from or that the school is affiliated with). Assistive technology is expensive, so schools
cannot afford to buy one piece of technology and then find out it does not work for their student.
Instead, schools can borrow the technology for six weeks to test out its efficiency for a student.
This makes assistive technology more accessible to students in Indiana.
All students deserve to live a life that can make them feel successful, and as teachers it is our
duty to give students all the resources necessary to accomplish this. Assistive technology is out
there, but only the teachers who never give up will find the technology their students truly need
to be successful. The universal design is an approach to teaching that includes all students in
each lesson and activity. With the proper resources, accommodations/modifications, and
universal design for learning, students with all types of learning capabilities will be able to gain
the education necessary to live a fulfilling life. I appreciated this lesson because even as a
general education teacher, I will probably run into an instance that assistive technology is
needed.

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Ashley Churchill

ED 199 Exploring Educator Identity

Assistive Technology Reflection

By investing in students, teachers are opening the door to many opportunities. As

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