Assisitve+Technologies


 * Biweekly Summary: Experience with Assistive Technologies **

Have any of you used assistive technologies in your classroom or in your current workplace?
====**Maria**: Currently I have a translator app on my iphone and ipad. As a bilingual teacher (spanish/english) the translator is useful when I have to quickly translate a word from english to spanish to help my students understand a sentence or concept. I also have to translate our grade level newsletter weekly from english to spanish, so I use the translator provided in Word, then make corrections to help me translate it faster.Before our online meeting with Russell Ruffu, who did a study using Dragon Naturally Speaking software with ESL learners I had never heard of it or used it? The improvements that he saw just over a 4-week period with ESL learners using the speech recognition software were amazing. According to Russell, by the end of the study, oral reading rates were reaching a norm for native English speakers (Ruffu, 2011). This type of assistive technology can definitely benefit all kinds of learners. It can provide independence for students with disabilities, learning disabilities and also improve writing fluency for learners (Nuance, 2011.) As our world continues to advance in technology I believe we will begin to hear and use more of these types of assistive technologies. /Nuance. Education Solutions. 2011.http://nuance.com/for-individuals/by-industry/education-solutions/index.htm ==== ====**Jacob**: In 2009, I bought the Dragon naturally speaking software and installed it in my laptop. I got it because it says you can speak into it and it transcribes your speech into writing. I was excited because I thought it will make it easier for me not to waste time typing. Unfortunately for me I got frustrated with the software because it couldn't understand my accent properly. It is designed to understand American accent and anything different from that it keeps writing rubbish. I became too frustrated and stopped using it. However, it has the potential of dictating and getting use to one's accent with continuous use and correction. But I never had that patient. Though I think it was better for me since I had to go back to typing and now I'm a lot faster than ever. ====

**Nancy:** I am glad you are talking about accent,
====I think is interesting to hear Native Americans complaining about the immigrant's accent. Everyone have an accent... don't they know that? Something I learned to do as an ESL learner, was to look at people's mouth when they were talking, I know... what a freak, that's when I discovered that English actually had a past tense. Native American children develop the hearing of the language, naturally, but second language learners struggle, that is because the native English speaks do not remark the ending sounds of a word, because that would make their speech unnatural. Second language learners need to be exposed to these type of errors. Having assistive technology can help, but to depend on it for everything, can be harmful to our own learning. Look what a great writer you are today. ====

====**Justin:** I've had the same experience as you with the use of this software and I have no discernable accent (I haven't tried version 11 yet though). To date, I haven't been pleased with any voice recognition technology. We have a vested interest for this to work, so we try everything we can (this includes Siri, Droid and Microsoft). If anyone ever hears of something that works well, then please let me know. ==== ====**John:**The newest software program that offers dictation, blind and visually impaired support, and language support is Apple's Siri. This program provides dictation. Apple's web page states that the screen reader can speak, thats to support the blind. It is also supported in English, French, and German with Spanish and others being added in 2012. This information can be found at [] ====

====**Monique**: One program I have experience with is Dragon Naturally Speaking. It is voice recognition software. This program translates spoken words into text. The last to two editions of the program can even translate audio recordings from digital recorders into text which I have not tried. This program can also be used for Internet searching and creating email. This is not a use straight-out-the-box program. The program has collection data on how each individual user speaks. There are different texts varying in difficulty that you are ask to read as the program tries to follow. I follow this can be a little exasperating because this does take time. Also, no matter what text is chosen, if you use this software for subjects with special vocabulary you will have to add those words to the program. But in the end, the effort pays off. There are some basic commands such: New Line, New Paragraph, Cap “letter”, and Scratch That (Delete). I found the program recognized most of the words I spoke. I sometimes had trouble because of the position of the microphone, loud background noises, or if I spoke too quickly. I agree with Jacob about accents. I think my regional pronunciation of some words was hard for the program to translate.Dragon Naturally Speaking is a good program for dictating notes and ideas. In order to do anything more complicated, you would have to study the manual and the sidebar. This program does take time to set up and will improve in accuracy for each individual user, depending on the amount of time it is used. I think that though there are some glitches, it’s a pretty good program. ====

====**James-** After the online meeting with Russell, I am interested in seeing what Dragon Naturally Speaking (DNS) 11 can do. I know the little experience I had with earlier versions took more time than worth for me. I have heard lots of good stuff about DNS and it may come with the newer versions as Russell mentioned. I hope to get access to this software in the near future and see exactly what the software can do and what efficiencies I can gain. ====

====**Julie**: After the online chat with Russell, I downloaded DNS on my iphone. I LOVE IT! It is great when you want to send a long text or email to someone but do not feel like writing it all down. I feel like I can multi-task more efficiently. ====

====**Maria:** Assistive technologies are a topic that I would like to learn more about. It has been defined as any type of system that helps a person perform tasks that they are normally unable to do or make it easier and safer to perform a task. There are many advantages to using assistive technology for people with disabilities, but there are also drawbacks. Some advantages include more independence, less cost, more privacy, or no need for support from staff. In one case, a man with autism felt invaded by staff when they would make their rounds for checkups, so the facility was able to replace the constant checkups from staff with assistive technology. A major drawback for assistive technology is that consent is required and sometimes the only person who can give consent is the one with a disability therefore someone else has to decide if the assistive technology would be beneficial.(Learning, 2010) What do you think about assitive technology replacing staff ? ====

====What are your thoughts about consent given for assitive technology by someone other than the person with the disablity or learning difficulty? ====

**Monique:**
====In regards to the examples given in the article “Design for Living”, I think that type of equipment cannot replace staff. Some are like the epilepsy sensors are just very sophisticated alarms, which alert staff to problems. Several items such as the finger locks and the medicine dispensers require set up or maintenance, which would be done by staff. This type of technology allows staff to be where they are needed instead of where a schedule says they should be. This helps staff to use their time more efficiently and provide better care. ====

====**John:**I see the use of assistive technology as redirecting the priorities of the staff rather than replacing the staff. In //Designed For Living//, Sally Gillen made the point that assistive technologies free "staff from mundane tasks, such checking medication, they are able to spend more quality time with people" (p. 32). ====

====**Jason:**I feel that the idea of an assistive technology //replacing// staff is unlikely. More likely, the technology will simply require a different type of staff intervention. Even if the technology is able to accomplish certain tasks that would have required staff to manually intervene, there will still be a need for staff to monitor the technology itself. It may result in a different type of staff to be employed, but human intervention will always be required. ====

**What other advantages or disadvantages do you see with assistive technology for the disabled?**
====**Monique:** I think the reference in the article “Design for Living” to similar devices made for the elderly is important. Assistive Technology can be used to assist people with various types of disabilities. It can also be useful for people with no disabilities or recovering from an illness. Providing assistive technology for use by the general public would make them cost less and a part of the norm. The disadvantage to this type of technology is that some people would think as French (1991) suggested that disability no longer exists. The technology only helps people jump over some basic hurdles but it is no substitute for human compassion and concern. ====

French, S. (1991). What’s so great about independence. New Beacon, 75(886), 153-156.
====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Parton, D. (2011). Designed for Living. Learning Disability Today, Retrieved from http://www.ldtonline.co.uk/2011/02/designed-for-living/ ====

====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">**John:** Aside from offering the disabled more freedom and mobility assistive technologies provide the disabled with opportunities to perform functions they would not be capable of otherwise. The ability to perform new functions independently, no matter how big or small, also helps gain self confidence in the disabled. ==== ====S ome disadvantages could be the learning curve of some technologies, or the difficulty of using some of these technologies, may be too big for some disabled persons. Many disabled persons are 'very' socially dependent, they may not take favor to having assistive technologies replacing their friend. ====

====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">**Jason**: The advantages to this type of technology will be empowering the differently abled to accomplish tasks that would otherwise not be possible, or would require more resources than are available for one-on-one assistance. The disadvantage would be that the technologies are only as good as the design behind them. If the technologies are poorly implemented or feature limited, then they may not function as expected or cause more confusion than would be the case with manual intervention. ====

====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">**What are your thoughts about consent given for assistive technology by someone other than the person with the disability or learning difficulty?** ====

====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">**Monique**: Consent in research participation is very important. It is one of the safe guards in ethical research. However, it can be difficult to obtain personal consent from an individual with intellectual disabilities. I think that certain guidelines need to be followed such those stated by the [|National Disability Authority] or the [|International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities]. Parents and advocates need to give consent during each step of the research process as the needs of each participant are evaluated with the help of experts. Researchers should also take into account the verbal and non-verbal reactions of participants. I think negative reactions could be interpreted in certain cases as no longer “consenting” to participation in the research. I think if researchers plan the study in a way to do no harm to participants and are open multiple avenues of communication that consent by proxy can be done ethically. ====

====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">**John:** Unfortunately, most disabled persons are unable to make these decisions on their own. This is why they are in this assistive living arrangement, so they can be protected. This safety issue, I feel, overrides the issue of consent. The question has to be asked: What is in the best interest of the disabled person? Only then can we talk about alternative assistive learning technologies, or no assistive learning technologies, and consent with the parent or guardian. ====

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Jacob:
====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">I just give a plus to those who spend their time making these assitive technologies possible. This is a great way of bringing learning to everyone regardless of one's ability. As teachers, we should get acquainted with the skills to use these technologies to help others use them well. ====

==== The assistive technology in middle school article (zascavagewinterman2009) said: “To meet the mandates of NCLB and to implement the concept of Universal Learning Design in education, the typical middle school teacher will need to be computer literate, knowledgeable about current technology, and aware of the learners’ specific assistive technology needs (CAST, 2007; Resta, Bryant, Lock, & Allan, 1998).” ====

====** Christine: ** Speaking from a middle school teacher's point of view, the technology we use in our classrooms is ever changing. We have professional development anytime a new technology is introduced into the school, but this does not always cover all the bases. The teachers who have been in the school for many years are not quite as open to changes in technology as some of the newer (not necessarily younger) teachers. I know that I am not where I need to be with the technology, but I work at it everyday. But I also know the importance of keeping in compliance with a learner's IEP. It is absolutely necessary that teachers understand that the IEP must be adhered to and if it involves assistive technology it is the teacher's responsibility to be sure this is taken care of. ====

====** Julie- ** I like how you mentioned the importance of teachers needing to know and understand their students IEP, this is very true. That is great that your school does a professional development with everyone every time a new technology is introduced at your school. ====

==== Does you school do any analysis, a needs assessment, prior to upgrading technology? By conducting a needs analysis the school could identify the right technology to meet the needs for all of the classrooms (at least most of them), preventing the dog-chasing-his-tail scenario. ==== ==== **Christine**: Most of our PD is done during our planning time. Rarely are we pulled during teaching time. Our school is kind of at the mercy of the county as in Florida all schools are run by the county. All schools are Osceola county schools. I really am not sure how they decide what upgrades we get or new technology. The teachers are just given the information but we really have no say in what is implemented. Wish they would do some sort of a survey to see what we would find useful in the classroom. ====
 * John-** Christine, It sounds like you are in professional development courses more than you are in the classroom teaching. My point is that technology can be continuously upgraded/updated to the point that nobody knows how to use it.

==== ** John: ** This is a typical scenario. Procedures, policy changes, or system upgrades are decided upon by those who are not involved in the everyday operations. Once the upgrades have been implemented the performers (the everyday operators, teachers) are unable to either use the upgrades or find the upgrades irrelevant to their jobs. This is where 'front-end analysis' comes into play, it helps to determine what is needed at the workers level to help improve their job / tasks. Many entities feel they know what is needed and make the decision to move forward without any analysis, resulting in a typical top-down hierarchical process which is hardly beneficial to anyone. ====

Rummler, G. A., & Brache, A. P. (1995). //Improving performance, How to manage the white space on the organization chart// (2nd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
==== ** Christine: **Thanks for the references. I do appreciate them. And thanks for the compliment. I absolutely look out for my students. I fell like a pseudo "mom" that not only teaches math but life skills. ====

==== ** Jacob: ** Generally, all schools try to keep their teachers up to date with new technologies, but it all boils down to the disposition of the teachers to change and face new things as many traditional teachers are hesitant to adapt. However, in this changing environment, every successful teacher must adapt to changes. ==== ==== ** James: ** Having a parent in education for many years, I have had lots of experience with traditional teachers and technology. The majority of the traditional teachers I knew through my mother were hesitant years ago as technology began to grow in primary schools. It did not take most of them to "jump in" and begin to enjoy the efficiencies and abilities they gained through the use of technology. ====