Assistive technology is a blanket term for any device, program, or system that aids a person with a disability learn, communicate, pay attention, or just function better overall. Not all assistive technology tools are high tech either. Tools can range from a simple kitchen timer to text-to-speech software. Assitive technology can help students to work quicker and more accurately.
If I had a student struggling with reading one assistive technology I would use might be an ebook with an audio file. That way while the student is following along with the book he would be able to hear the words read to him. This technology is easy to find and is even on devices like Kindle. While listening and reading an audio book on a kindle the words are highlighted as the device reads the story out-loud. You can also use headphones so the student could concentrate on the words and nobody else would be disturbed. Also, if a student did not know what a word meant, all they would have to do is touch the word on the screen and the definition of the word will pop up. Amazon calls this reading immersion.
Eventually there will be at least one kid that pipes up and says something like "It's not fair that Johnny gets to use a kindle during reading time and I don't" or "Why can't I use that to?" One way for teachers to deal with these situations is to address them before they happen. ADDitude (a magazine that is about strategies and support for ADHD and other learning disabilities, suggests that teachers have a conversation with students at the beginning of the year about accommodations. The article Encouraging Equality in the classroom also suggests reading stories to your class that portray children with challenges that overcame them. This technique is called bibliotherapy, using books to show students that they are more alike than different.
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