assitive techology for literacy
TRANSCRIPT
- 1. Assistive Technology for Literacy
By: Crystal Campbell
2. Assistive Technology Considerations for Literacy
There are several factor to consider when choosing AT devices for
individuals with reading difficulties. Students may struggle with
vocabulary, word decoding, comprehension, physical access, and
fluency. It is important to identify the specific need before
choosing a device or strategy.
3. Low tech assistive technology for literacy
There are some low tech ideas that can help students find success
in reading. Students are explicitlytaught reading strategies to use
while reading. However, some students may need reminders of these
strategies while decoding text.Something as simple as a bookmark
can provide students with a visual reminder to apply word attack
strategies.
4. Low tech Foldables
Foldables can be used to help students retain and understand
vocabulary. The Foldables are a fun way to define and illustrate
new vocabulary. The following websites shows tons of ways to use
Foldables in the classroom.
http://www.mswinston.com/fold.pdf
5. Some Low tech ideas for physical access
Page up
Portabook
The Portabook and Page Up can assist students by holding books in
paper in the an upright position.
6. Low tech color overlays for decoding
Colored Overlays or Reading Helpers can impact some students
reading abilities.Some students have shown improvements when using
overlays of contrasting colors.The overlays and Reading Helpers
come in a variety of colors. Students preferences vary. Students
claim the words seem brighter, still, and in some cases bigger,
when using colors other than the standard white.
7. Using Color for Comprehension
Low tech for Comprehension
Highlighters, highlighting tape and post its can be used to
identify key information in text. Students can be taught to use
highlighting techniques to identify important people, places,
vocabulary, and key words.
8. Visual Modifications
Software programs such as Boardmaker Plus and Picture It can add
pictures to text. The pictures can help strengthen vocabulary and
aide in comprehension. Software such as these are considered to be
mid tech assistive technology tools.
9. High tech solutions for physical access
Flip It-This is a page turner that can be used with a switch. The
Flip It provides individuals with a way to independently turn pages
in their books. This is very expensive and can be purchased through
Enablemart.
With the move towards digital text there is not as much need for a
page turner for printed material. Its still good to know there is
one out there.
10. Electronic Text
Digital text is more accessible than ever before!! There are so
many sites and vendors to choose from, its almost overwhelming. I
have included some of the digital text formats that I found to be
reliable and more geared toward students.Digital text can be
modified easily with computer software programs.
Below are some strategies to modify text to meet individual student
needs. All of the following changes can be made in Microsoft Word
Applications
- Enlarge text or change font style
11. Change background color of screen (Very similar to colored overlays) 12. Change font color or highlight important words 13. Autosummarize text and highlight key points and decrease the amount of text to be read