Summary
Assistive technology has made just as many advances in recent years as other areas of technology and Diane Curtis describes just what benefits this has given to students in her article, Disabled Bodies, Able Minds: Giving Voice, Movement, and Independence to the Physically Challenged. Curtis shares examples from four students lives and how assistive technology has given them the ability to independently participate in a learning environment. The new technologies coupled with the efforts of organizations like DO-IT are demanding that school districts review their policies concerning the use of full-time aides instead of technology that would make students independent.
Review
The assistive technology is beneficial for disabled students to become involved in general education but I think more training is need for classroom teachers on the use of this technology and how to keep students motivated to use it properly. Concerns of cost do come to mind though when looking at districts being responsible for pay for the technology for each disabled student. Do the benefits and cost for one student justify it when it may prevent access for needed items or curriculum to other non-disabled students? I’m personally not sure, but feel that funding for this kind of assistive technology not be linked to districts general budgets at all so they are not forced to choose between the good of one student over many.
Curtis, D. (2005). Disabled bodies, able minds: giving voice, movement, and independence to the physically challenged. Edutopia. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/assistivetechnology
No comments:
Post a Comment