Medium Tech Demonstration Video

My 2 minute presentation on a medium tech AT device. I demonstrated the uses for a operated toothbrush. A great AT device for students with physical disabilities, or disabilities that restrict them from moving their hands when brushing teeth.

Who knew a thumb could be so powerful?

I recently watched an amazing and inspiring short documentary, “One Thumb to Rule them All”, made by assistiveware that told an incredible story about a man name “Mike Phillips”. Mike Phillips was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), which is a neuromuscular disease that causes him to have weak muscles. However, thanks to his MAC computer and various assistive technology devices Mike is able to conquer his obstacles with just ONE THUMB! From a college student’s perspective, I would initially think that it would be impossible for a student with this type of disability to play complicated video games, chat online with 4 to 5 people, and write a novel all at once! As an able individual I feel that it is absolutely impossible for me. But Mike Phillips breaks that image and shows the world that he is able to strive to be capable to do able things like ABLE individuals.

As a future educator it should be the utmost importance for every child in a classroom to have equal learning opportunities, no matter what challenges they face. First of all, it is important for a teacher to revise his/her lesson plan to make sure that where ever a child with a disability is placed in a classroom is conducive to meet the student’s learning needs. Secondly, it is important that the teacher establish social interactions with all students in the classroom. The teacher should integrate collaborative small group work or peer learning. It is also optional and important that you educate your students about the student/s in the class who have disabilities. Teachers should make sure students with the disabilities and their parents are comfortable with this lesson to make sure that they are not drawing negative attention to the student. The teacher should educate the students about the disability, the challenges, and how they learn differently. This teaches students how to be considerate and responsible citizens and also gives them awareness on how people with disabilities are just as human as they are.

In regards to assistive technology in the classroom, it is imperative that the teacher become an expert of the AT devices in the classroom and appropriately evaluate the devices for their students with disabilities. We want to make sure that the AT devices are giving the maximum potential for students to learn. As soon as the student is familiar and comfortable with the technology, it would be a great idea to educate the typical students about the AT devices their classmate with special needs is using. Also, if the device is not too complicated maybe having the student with special needs teach his/her typical peer how to use their AT device would be a great idea. It establishes a sense of ownership and confidence in the student with special needs and allows social skills to be applied when working with a typical student. It is basically a win-win situation.

I would assess the activities in my classroom by most importantly observing how my students are interacting with one another. Notice any positive or negatives behaviors and intervene if learning opportunities are interrupted or ceased. I would also assess by having students write a reflection on how they felt about working in collaborative small groups, things they learned and some of the challenges. Of course if something is not working right in the classroom, it is my duty as a teacher to continuously revise, modify or change a lesson to make sure all my students are given the BEST opportunities to learn.

The story of Mike Phillips really inspires my reflection, because if this was 50 years back there may not have been much hope for this amazing individual. People would probably think he was incapable, but now thanks to assistive technology and a greater knowledge of special education; students like Mike Phillips are able to showcase their brilliant minds.

Here is the documentary if you would like to watch it!

Just keep researching! Just keep researching!: Research Summaries on Assistive Technology

15 online resources exploring assistive technology

FIVE AT DEVICE WEBSITES

1. Able Data. (2010). Your sources for assistive technology information. Retrieved June 05, 2010,

from Abledata website: http://www.abledata.com/abledata.cfm

AbleData is an excellent website to explore numerous assistive technology devices. The website gives in-depth information on various AT devices. This website does not sell the AT devices, but does give the location and contact information for purchasing the products. This site also offers links to websites about various training of AT devices. Another great aspect of this website is that it informs you of the latest conferences that apply to using Assistive Technology devices as well as forums about assistive technology. This website also keeps you updated on news and articles about assistive technology

2. Technology for Education. (2010). Technology for Education. Retrieved June 05,2010, from Technology for Education website: http://www.tfeinc.com/shop/index.php

Technology for Education is a website where individuals with disabilities can purchase assistive technology devices. The website not only gears its products to individuals with disabilities but also educators and professionals who work with students with special needs. The website offers many different categories in which you can search for specific AT devices. Some of the different categories consist of vision and hearing, math skills, switches, etc. The website also offers a link for AT devices that are on sale. Individuals with disabilities can also shop by brand such as 3M, AD-AS, Zygo industries etc.

3. NSNET. Assistive Technology Tools, Tips, and Tricks. Retrieved June 05,2010, from NSNET website: http://www.nsnet.org/atc/tools/contents.html

The NSNET website is a great website that explains the definition of “Assistive Technology”. The website also provides a brief overview of how significant AT devices are for individuals with disabilities. The website also provides a page that gives examples of low and high tech AT devices to help readers distinguish between the two. There is a guide that gives tips for educators and other professionals in selecting an appropriate AT device for students with special needs. One of the greatest aspects about this website is that it lists a multitude of AT devices, its purpose or use, what company sells it and where to buy the devices. The website also provides a page that helps you see the areas of difficulty for a student with special needs and what devices would best help them.

4. Enablemart. (2010). Assistive Technology. Advice you can trust. Retrieved June 07, 2010, from Enablemart website: http://www.enablemart.com

Enablemart is a website that sells assistive technology devices worldwide. The purpose of this website is to communicate the importance of AT devices for individuals with disabilities. This website strives to bring awareness of such products that may help many individuals with special needs to achieve independence. The website also categories the various types of AT devices such as hearing, vision, communication etc. The website provides product description as well as reviews and related items on each product. This website also offers articles that relate to news about assistive technology and the industries that create them.

5. ATTO. (2005). AT Basics. Retrieved June 05,2010, from ATTO website: http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics.php

The ATTO website is an excellent resource for searching for information on Assistive Technology tools geared towards helping elementary students. The website explains the basic foundations on assistive technology: definition, laws regarding AT, assessing AT devices etc. The website also provides information about various computer software that meets the needs for different students with disabilities. The website also provides links for examples of AT devices that meet the needs of various disabilities, as well as giving low-tech examples. Another great feature about this website is that it provides tutorials for select AT devices which may set other AT websites apart from this. The website also provides a guide in choosing the right assistive technology tools for students.

FIVE AT ORGANIZATIONS WEBSITES

6. CATEA. Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access. Retrieved June 10,2010, from CATEA website: http://www.catea.gatech.edu/

The CATEA website is based on an organization or center that researches and dedicates its work to better assistive technology for individuals with special needs or who have functional life skills limitations. CATEA is based on the College of Architecture from the Georgia Tech community. The organization consists of engineers, scientists, clinicians, and educators who help in improving and creating assistive technology. The website offers information on its research laboratories such as having individuals with special needs test new products to help improve their work. The organization also offers classes that help teach individuals on how to become assistive technology engineers. This organization also provides a link for inventors to submit their information on the AT devices they created.

7. ATACCESS. (2010). Alliance for Technology Access. Retrieved June 05,2010, from ATACCESS website: http://www.ataccess.org

ATA or the Alliance for Technology Access is a website based on research centers, community based organizations, agencies and individuals within the Assistive Technology realm. This organization was founded in 1983 within Berkeley California by a group of parents and professionals. ATA strives to train and inform individuals with special needs about AT products. This organization provides forums and conferences for professionals and individuals with special needs to connect with AT experts. ATA is funded by corporate and foundation grants, membership fees, consulting fees and sales of publications. This organization also provides success stories of children and adults with special needs who used AT devices thanks to the help of their organization.

8. Accessit. (2010). The National Center on Accessible Information Technology in Education. Retrieved June 09, 2010, from Accessit website: http://www.washington.edu/accessit/

Accessit is a website based on the National Center on Accessible Information Technology in Education. This organization was founded in September 2006 by the U.S Department of Education. Accessit is ideal for policy makers (school principals, district directors, technology directors etc.), implementers (general and special education teachers), and students and employees with disabilities. This organization provides AT device training to individuals with disabilities within educational settings. Accessit also provides web pages that are friendly towards individuals with disabilities as well as training and software that enhance the academic progress for students with special needs. The website also includes accessibility checklists, best practices, frequently asked questions, links to resources, and case studies that all relate to the usage of assistive technology.

9. Assistive Technology Partners. (2010). Breaking Barriers, Changing Lives. Retrieved June 10, 2010, from Assistive Technology Partners website: http://www.uchsc.edu/atp/index.html

Assistive Technology Partners is an organization founded in 1989 by a federal grant from the U.S Department of Education and the National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). The mission for this organization is to help individuals with special needs to live with functionality though assistive technology. Assistive Technology Partners is part of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver and offers programs for clinical services, outreach and information services, research and engineering and education that revolve around assistive technology. This organization also provides services and helpful information to over 470,00 people worldwide. ATP also strives to connect with organizations and centers in regards to helping or collaborating with assistive technology information. This organization provides assistive technology learning labs to help teach and train individuals about the usage and significance of assistive technology devices.

10. GSAT. (2009). University of Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, & Service (CEDDERS). Retrieved June 01,2010, from GSAT website: http://www.gsatcedders.org

This website is based on GSAT or the Guam System for Assistive Technology center located at the University of Guam in Mangilao, Guam. This center was founded in 1995 though the University of Guam’s Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (CEDDERS). This center provides a great amount of information about AT devices to help individuals on the island of Guam who may be professionals, students or individuals who have disabilities themselves. This center provides services in which it allows people with special needs to borrow assistive technology devices up to 30 days for free. GSAT’s website also provides a loan application for individuals who are interested in borrowing devices from the center. The center is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am- 5:00 p.m. and demonstrations are held on Fridays by appointment.

FIVE AT RESEARCH ARTICLES

11. Safhi, M., Zhou, L., Smith, D., & Kelley, P. (2009). Assistive Technology in Teacher-Training Programs: A National and International Perspective. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 103(9), 562-568. Retrieved from ERIC database.

This research article was written by four authors: Safhi, Mohammad Y.; Zhou, Li; Smith, Derrick W.; and Kelley, Pat. This article discusses the significance of awareness of assistive technology training in teacher programs. This article not only focuses on national issues in teacher programs dealing with assistive technology but international issues as well. The research sought to investigate how assistive technology education was taught in colleges or if professors embedded this curriculum within courses. The category of assistive technology focused on in this article was devices that dealt with visual impairments. The conclusion of the article was that assistive technology education was taught at different levels but was not significant in their college courses.

12. Dyal, A., Carpenter, L., & Wright, J. (2009). Assistive Technology: What Every School Leader Should Know. Education, 129(3), 556-560. Retrieved from ERIC database.

This research article was written by three authors, Dyal, Allen; Carpenter, Laura Bowden; Wright, James V. The focus of this article was to address the importance of assistive technology knowledge in school leaders such as principals and superintendents. The article starts off by defining assistive technology and its importance. The second main part of this article is the discussion of laws and legislation and many different policies that AT devices may play a part in. The article also stresses the importance of becoming an expert at knowing how to help students in evaluating and applying assistive technology. It is also highly stressed in this article to meet the Assistive technology needs of students with special needs. The article concludes by stating an overall evaluation of assistive technology devices that the student has used.

13. Sze, S. (2009). The Effects of Assistive Technology on Students with Disabilities. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 37(4), 419-429. Retrieved from ERIC database.

This research article was written by Susan Sze. The article begins by explaining the definition and laws that regard to assistive technology. The second part of this article discusses the new and emerging assistive technology devices. The article also investigates into different types of AT devices and how they help different students with special needs. The article also provides a chart in which the author did research to discover which AT devices worked best for different individuals with disabilities. In conclusion the author discovered that there is a lacking in some disabilities in which AT devices have not been explored enough.

14. Dreon, O., & Dietrich, N. (2009). Turning Lemons into Lemonade: Teaching Assistive Technology through Wikis and Embedded Video. TechTrends: Linking Research and Practice to Improve Learning, 53(1), 78-80. Retrieved from ERIC database.

This article was written by two authors, Dreon, Oliver, Jr. and Dietrich, Nanette I. The authors are also professors at Millersville University of Pennsylvania where they teach instructional technology. The focus of this article is to see how significant is assistive technology being used in the K-12 classroom. The second focus of this article is to see how creative their students would be able to use streaming videos as assistive technology. The article also describes the functions of a wiki and how collaboration skills could be taught through this medium. The research concluded that wikis help in sharing awareness about assistive technology.

15. Lee, H., & Templeton, R. (2008). Ensuring Equal Access to Technology: Providing Assistive Technology for Students with Disabilities. Theory Into Practice, 47(3), 212-219. Retrieved from ERIC database.

This article was written by two authors Lee, Hwa; Templeton, Rosalyn. This research article focuses on the assistive technology services delivery given to students with disabilities. This article presents an overview of current AT services including service delivery models, universal design, and effects of AT devices on students with disabilities, and issues and challenges in providing AT services. There are also issues in regards to clear legal and practical guidelines of using such AT devices. The article also touches on the major issue on funding within the national government to support the services of assistive technology. The article concludes in addressing many other issues that create barriers with individuals with special needs such as: lack of family participation, availability of devices, and lack of AT qualified personnel.

Low Tech Demonstration

My 2 minute video demonstration on a low tech AT device called a "pencil grip".

Low Tech Demonstration from Maggie Uson on Vimeo.

A Teacher's Heart...

Your heart is slightly bigger than the average human heart, but that's because you're a teacher.
-- Aaron Bacall

Your heart is slightly bigger than the average human heart, but that's because you're a teacher.
-- Aaron Bacall

Your heart is slightly bigger than the average human heart, but that's because you're a teacher.
-- Aaron Bacall

Your heart is slightly bigger than the average human heart, but that's because you're a teacher.
-- Aaron Bacall

Your heart is slightly bigger than the average human heart, but that's because you're a teacher.
-- Aaron Bacall

Your heart is slightly bigger than the average human heart, but that's because you're a teacher.
-- Aaron Bacall

Your heart is slightly bigger than the average human heart, but that's because you're a teacher.
-- Aaron Bacall