special needs learners and assistive technology

Technology and Special Needs Education

Technology has aided the educational field. Students with intellectual disorders have gained a lot of coverage in today’s culture. Since then, educational stakeholders have discussed and recommended assistive technologies to help special needs students understand. Education reforms place a premium on ensuring that all students have equal access to the learning process. If technology is embedded into the learning process, with particular attention paid to learners with physical and psychological challenges, intensive literacy promotion is considered successful (Margaret, et al. 2014).

The Benefits of Assistive Technology

Several scholars also highlighted the advantages of assistive technology for students with learning disabilities. Tonya, et al. (2013), argues that performance enhancement technology if aligned with the identified learning disability will yield better outcome. Emerging issues associated with assistive technology for special needs learners is the availability of trained staff. As the government fast-track compulsory literacy policy, the teachers need to be equipped with sound training and how to use the assistive technology in class. However, the projected net effect of assistive technology will be positive. iPad is one of the tried, tested and proven learning assistive technology. According to Oraib,(2015),learners with disability get engaged through audio-visual operating mechanism of iPad. In fact, story-based intervention is one such aspect of assistive technology that promises a greater future. Assistive technology has also proven to be useful in active learning especially among special needs students.

Adopting Assistive Technology in Schools

Many schools are making efforts to adopt assistive technology as a boost to learning outcome and overall literacy level among students with special needs. Other teaching tools that aid active learning include tablets, projectors, and personal digital assistance (PDA). Edyburn, (2006), research findings from comparative analysis of users of assistive technology versus non-users has posted significant role of technology in classroom.

The Integration of Assistive Technology

The subject of assistive technology has constantly gained the attention of education stakeholders. In fact, much infrastructural investment has been blended with curriculum structural reforms to ease integration of assistive technology for special needs students.

References

Edyburn, D.L. (2006). Assistive technology and mild disabilities. Special Education Technology Practice, 8(4), 18-28.
Margaret M. Flores,Doris A. Hill,Lacey B. Faciane,Melissa A. Edwards,Sara Catherine Tapley ,Sarah J. Dowling.The Apple iPad as Assistive Technology for Story-based Interventions. JSET 2014 Volume 29, Number 2
Oraib Mango, PhD. Ipad Use And Student Engagement In The Classroom. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology ’ January 2015, volume 14 issue 1
Tonya N. Davis,Lucy Barnard-Brak,Patricia L. Arredondo (2013). Assistive Technology: Decision-making Practices in Public Schools .Rural Special Education Quarterly 2013 Volume 32, Number 4