Teach Middle East Magazine Sep - Dec 2020 Issue 1 Volume 8 | Page 16

Sharing Good Practice
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR STUDENTS
WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS
BY DEBBIE HAMILTON BOGUES
iPads/Tablet computers are very
similar to the use of personal
computers, the differences are that
they can be individually programmed,
can be easily managed and handled
by students. Students can highlight,
underline, change font sizes etc. to
their desired learning needs and
activities. Depending on the software
being used, some students may also
have access to audio.
Speech - to - text AT, allows students
who are unable to write-dysgraphia or
type or who are physically disabled,
but have the ability to speak, to talk
into a microphone and have their talk
translated into text on a screen. Some
software goes a bit further by allowing
the students to edit their work. There
is also the use of the keyboard to
support writing challenges and for
some a simple pencil grip makes all
the difference.
A
ssistive technology (AT) can
be compared to a person
wearing a pair of glasses to
support one’s vision, a pair of
hearing aid to improve hearing or a leg
to aid in mobility. AT comes in various
types and degrees of sophistication.
The use of AT is to promote
independence and increase, maintain
or improve the learning experience of
students with SEND.
An audio book is the first thing that
comes to mind, if a student finds
reading difficult or is visually impaired.
This enables the student to have
access to the same printed material,
but via listening. The student is able to
play back and do so repeatedly in the
same manner in which a reader is able
to turn back the pages of a book to
retrieve information. The AT resource
may be in the form of MP3, CDs, etc.
The audio book allows the student to
interact with the content of the text,
to follow the words being read in
the appropriate eye sweep (not the
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visually impaired), hear clearly how the
words are enunciated, and as a result
some students are able to better enjoy
and understand the text more than if it
were being read.
The computer is also another medium
which can provide audio visual support
for students’ learning needs. This is
not necessarily only for students with
learning challenges, but for all student.
Students are able to see events,
illustrations, presentations etc. They are
able to employ their auditory and visual
abilities at the same time. In addition,
schools can purchase programmes or
software which is specifically tailored to
the needs of the students, which may
include songs with actions, numbers,
letters, colours etc.
Class Time
Similar to speech - to - text, there
are programmes that allow students
to ‘talk through’ the math problem,
while at the same time, the problem
is being computed on the screen. This
technology is available, from primary to
tertiary institutions. In addition, there
are ATs which simulate mathematical
situations and allow students to grasp
mathematical concepts more readily.
Students
who
have
difficulties
organising their ideas, can be
supported to do so with a graphic
organiser. It is programmed to give
students ideas and prompts when
writing. Therefore, the students are
better able to structure their written
tasks and convey coherent ideas.
Furthermore,
there
are
more
sophisticated ATs, such as the ones
that enable those with disabilities, to
use their mouth or toes with a stick
to write or draw, those which use
the blink of the eye to communicate
and as time and technology advance,
there will be far more support for
students with SEND, including artificial
intelligence (AI).
Debbie is an experienced international educator, who has spent almost 30 years
in education in the Caribbean, USA, UK and the Middle East. She has a passion
for students with special education needs.