Communication
A low tech method of communication devise would be anything which is not battery or electronically operated. The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a widely used example of a low tech communication devise. It is frequently used with Autism Spectrum Disorder students. The idea is to teach the student to exchange a picture of a desired item with a care giver/educator. Eventually adding more pictures and increasing communication as well as speech. A high tech communication devise is anything requiring batteries/electrical input, usually has some storage and retrieval of electronic messaging. An Example of a high tech devise would be the Essence VT Communication Device. This is a hand held device which allows the user to use picture recognition, creating and storing text, computer access, has head pointing recognition(has sensors to detect the users head movements to communicate).
 |
| Essence VT |
Accessibility, in terms of education, is used to describe the degree in which special education students can access the regular education classroom. As a special education teacher, and with inclusion being the model for most schools, this is our goal, to assist our students in access the regular classroom to their fullest potential. There are many technological tools available to do this. There are many software programs available. Jabbla Software; Mind Express, allow teachers to create exercises or communication boards as well as the student to use in the classroom to produce sentences, which can be spoken aloud. Mind Express has a built in eye tracking device, a picture library and word processing. This program could allow student with communication difficulties to participate in the regular ed class room.
The Hitch, hardware devise, plugs in to any PC or Mac. It allows the user to simulate all mouse functions, use function keys, or navigate using one large button.
An excellent combination of hard ware and software is the IPAD with applications from companies such as Good Karma. The offer apps for visual scheduling, communication and story boarding. The IPAD can be transported by the student from class to class, there are so many applications which the student could use to access the curriculum and it is such a dynamic devise that would really engage the student as well as draw in the regular education student to encourage peer collaboration.
http://isaac-online.org/en/aac/technology.html
No comments:
Post a Comment