Journal 8: Adaptive Technology

This journal relates to NETS-T IV.

Communication 
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) include alternate forms of communication, other than oral speech, that may be used to describe ideas, thoughts, and emotions. They can include high tech devices that use expensive software, but they also include facial expressions or hand motions that we use every day to convey thoughts.

A high tech AAC tool is the TextSpeak TS Wireless Speech Generator. This device includes a keyboard and speaker and does not require a separate computer. A student that can not verbally communicate in class, can type what they would like to say and the device speaks for them as they type. Because it is battery powered and wireless, the device can be brought to wherever the student is.

While there are several high tech AAC tools available, low tech AAC tools can be just as effective for the students. An example of a low tech tool are communication boards. Communication boards use a variety of pictures or symbols that the students can use to complete an activity. It may be used in the classroom to answer a question by pointing to the symbol or picture that corresponds with the answer.


Accessibility 
An input device is any device that is used to control or provide signals to a computer. These devices would generally include the keyboard or the standard mouse. However, students with disabilities may not be able to operate them and must use other tools.

 One device that could be used in a classroom for a student that would be unable to use typical devices would be a Braille notetaker. These devices are connected to a computer and allow visually impaired students to input Braille into the computer. Information can then be stored, read back, or printed on an applicable device. The most common application in the classroom would be word processing.

A web-based software tool that helps students with difficulties reading, including students with dyslexia, is News2You. It is tool that describes current events symbolically. Students with disabilities that prohibit them from fluently reading information can connect the words in the news story with symbols that lead to increased comprehension.