CH. 5

• educational technology: the study and practice of facilitating learning performance by creating, using, and managing technological processes and resources
• assistive technology are the devices and services that are used to help facilitate an individual
• • assistive devices: items, equipment, or product systems used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of an individual with a disability
  • assistive services: assist individuals in selecting, acquiring, or using an AT devicee
• AT & Special Education:

  IDEA (PL 94-142)

  • 1990 reauthorization
  • Was the 1st to include AT
  • 1997 reauthorization
  • Mandated consideration of AT for all students with disabilities
  • AT was to be provided at no cost to the student
  • 2004 reauthorization
  • Excluded surgically implanted devices from the definition of AT
  • Ex. cochlear implants
  • Included the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard
• AT & special education:

  IEP

  • At is included on the IEP as a related service, accommodation, goal, and/or objective
  • if written on the IEP it is the school's financial responsibility to cover the costs
• Multiple low-tech and high-tech AT exist to support students in:

  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Mathematics
  • Science and social studies
  • Organization and management skills
• Adaptive equipment/technology

  • Technology
  • Any item, system, or product used to improve the functional capabilities of people with disabilities. AT can be bought off the shelf, modified, or custom-made
  • Equipment
  • Adaptive equipment is a subcategory of AT; it refers to something specifically designed for people with disabilities
• 5 phrases of an AT assessment:

  1. define the problem and "consider" AT
  2. gather relevant data
  3. generate potential solutions
  4. conduct AT trials
  5. integrate successful/appropriate AT tools & strategies
• If the student cannot adequately perform these tasks using existing strategies & accommodations, consider whether use of AT tools might help

  • IDEA requires IEP teams to consider AT
  • Much of this comes from existing documents, but also from interviews with teachers or family, classroom observations, and working one-on-one with the student.
  • This is often conducted over an extended period in collaboration with the school district staff and others
  • The goal is to validate the effectiveness of the chosen technologies so as to provide greater confidence about the decisions
• issues with AT:

  • Possible stigmatization from use of AT, which can lead to abandonment
  • Need for adequate training or knowledge to implement technology so it is effective
  • costs
• AT is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities