Diverse

Learners
Webquest
Meredith Boles

Definitions
Individualized Education Program (IEP): The IEP describes the goals the team sets for a child during the
school year, as well as any special support needed to help achieve them (KidsHealth).
Inclusion: Inclusive education means that all students attend and are welcomed by their neighbourhood
schools in age-appropriate, regular classes and are supported to learn, contribute and participate in all
aspects of the life of the school (InclusionBC).
Least Restrictive Environment: Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) is the requirement in federal law
that students with disabilities receive their education, to the maximum extent appropriate, with
nondisabled peers and that special education students are not removed from regular classes
unless, even with supplemental aids and services, education in regular classes cannot be achieved
satisfactorily (DisabilityRights)

ADD/ ADHD
Kids with ADD/ADHD have a hard time sitting still, listening quietly and paying attention. Some possible challenges for the teacher include:

Demand attention by talking out of turn or moving around the room

Have trouble following instructions, especially when theyre presented a list

Often forget to write down homework assignments, do them, or bring completed work to school

Often lack fine motor control, which makes note-taking difficult and handwriting a trial to read (HelpGuide).

Although there are ways that the teacher can minimize distractions using a different information delivery or seating, there are assistive technologies
that can also support students with ADD/ADHD. They include:

Computer Software: reading, writing, and math

Talking Books

Brain Games: Hand Held, On Line Computer Games

Talking Computer Keyboards, Screen Magnifiers and Digital Talking Calculators (ADHD-Brain)

Dyslexia
Dyslexia is different for every individual, depending on the severity. People that have Dyslexia mostly struggle with reading, spelling, and writing.
Due to this, there is a wide variety of effects that can take place on their learning. A few include:

Slow reading and writing speed

Slow processing speed

Tendency to misread

Inaccurate copying

Short concentration span

Poor note-taking skills (StudentWellbeing)

Assistive Technology for students with Dyslexia includes:

Assistive technology for people with dyslexia includes text-to-speech apps, dictation software, word prediction programs, electronic graphic
organizers, and numerous tools that support note taking and study skills. In addition to the integrated accessibility features of various
operating systems, there are many desktop programs, web-based tools, Chrome Apps and Extensions, iOS apps, and Android apps that are
beneficial (AssistiveTechnologySolutionsforDyxlexia)

Visually Impaired
There are several ways that being visually impaired can affect a students education, they include:

Often must learn through alternate mediums, using their other senses

Often require individualized instruction since group instruction for learning specialized skills may not be provided in a meaningful manner

Often need specialized skills as well as specialized books, materials and equipment for learning through alternate modes

Vision loss can result in delayed concept development which, without effective intervention severely impacts the students social,
emotional, academic, and vocational development (AFB)

Technology has come a long way over the years and can benefit people in ways that are incredible. Some Assistive Technology for Visually
Impaired students may be:

Assistive technology programs that run on off-the-shelf computers can speak the text on the screen or magnify the text in a word
processor, web browser, e-mail program or other application

Stand-alone products designed specifically for people who are blind or visually impaired, including personal digital assistants (PDAs) and
electronic book players provide portable access to books, phone numbers, appointment calendars, and more.

Optical character recognition systems scan printed material and speak the text. Braille embossers turn text files into hard-copy braille
(AFB)

Reflection
a) What two big concepts have you learned about assistive technology and special needs students that will help you as you start to spend more time
in classrooms?

A students IEP will allow the teacher to have details about the students specific needs so he/she is able to accommodate for the student in
order to have the appropriate assistive technology.

Seating, information delivery, student work, organization can not only be a good way for the teacher to change up the classroom, bt it also
minimizes distractions and disruptions of ADHD students.

b) Why is it important to have access to assistive technologies in elementary school settings?

It is very important to have these technologies in elementary school settings because every student should have an opportunity to learn. Even
though they will be using assistive technology for their learning, they will be using a method that is comfortable and is altered to their
needs.

Cites
"Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)." KidsHealth - the Web's Most Visited Site about Children's Health. The Nemours Foundation, n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2016.
"What Is Inclusive Education?" What Is Inclusive Education? N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2016.
Environment, Information On Least Restrictive. SPECIAL EDUCATION RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES (n.d.): n. pag. Web.
"Teaching Students with ADD / ADHD." : Tips for Teachers to Help Students Succeed at School. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2016.
"Assistive Technology for ADHD." Assistive Technology for ADHD. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2016.
"Newcastle University." Student Wellbeing. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2016.
"Assistive Technology." Jamie Martin. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2016.
"Educating Students With Visual Impairments for Inclusion in Society." - American Foundation for the Blind. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2016.
"Assistive Technology." - American Foundation for the Blind. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2016.