Assistive Technology
Students with Cognitive Difficulties
Communication through technology is profound for those with no biological voice. Go Talk NOW lives up to its name and delivers a highly customizable communication tool combined with the “dynamic capabilities of the iPad.” Communication books are used to let students create ideas and express desires. These books can be shared between parents and teachers. One major advantage to this is that both parents and teachers can create books, building more and more avenues of communication. Then, upload your books to dropbox where they will be stored permanently and shared. Students can then carry on prerecorded conversations, answer questions in class and engage with teachers and peers. Within ESL, students could review vocabulary and sentence structures, answer question raised in readings, and hold conversations in a second language with fellow classmates.
For students with disabilities such as dyslexia, Read2Go becomes an irreplaceable tool. Listening to books with text-to-speech as the words are highlighted allows these learners higher retention and less frustration. Also good for students with visual impairments, this app allows a great deal of customization. Font size, reading speed, live highlighting, and even braille display are all available through this app. A huge library, ease of use and its portability make this an exceptional tool for those who require assistance reading. This tool has practical ESL application. Read2Go would improve reading frequency and allow students close simulation of natural speaking rhythm. The pace can be increased or decreased according to the learners needs.
Physical Difficulties
Quick Glance 3 is a mouse replacement device that allows the user to use their eyes to move the cursor around the screen. Selection can be done by blinking, hardware switch or staring. Students with diminished motor skills will have access to computers to produce writing, access the Internet and play games. With this hardware, a student could access authentic ESL resources and practice listening, play language games and write in the learned language.
Microsoft's speech recognition application turns your voice into the mouse. With a few key base instructions you can cycle through open pages, input url address, write a document, and do nearly anything you can do with a mouse. Students with physical disabilities but who can speak, will gain easier access to the computer allowing them greater ability to complete learning activities.
Sensory Difficulties
Zoom Ex is a digital OCR and scanner that allows rapid transfer from print to digital media. Quickly text-to-speech audio, enlarged print, and text files. For visually impaired students, the text enlargement lets the user comfortably read and review the materials.
Class Act Power Monitor is a voice amplification tool that will help students with hearing disabilities participate in classroom lectures and discussions. Not only can hearing impaired students listen to the teacher, but the microphone can be passed from student to student letting all voices be heard.
At Risk Students
Write Online offers a unique writing experience for students. Write Online has a number of exceptional features that can provide additional assistance to at risk students. A few key features include: voice review, word predictions, mapping capabilities and a word bar with predetermined word selections. This will help at risk students by giving them confidence to complete writing assignment.
Reading Comprehension Booster is an excellent way to help at risk students who read below grade level. Through interesting, well written pieces, students explore vocabulary and answer questions obtaining stars before advancing to more difficult passages.
Students with Gifts or Talents
Google+ Hangouts is an exceptionally powerful tool that works similarly to Skype, yet provide a number of outstanding additions. In a Hangout, users make video calls, share documents, show their live screen and demonstrate what they are working on. Users can invite up to 9 others and friends on Google+ can be kept in circles. Students can search out experts in nearly any interest and join in live Hangouts, asking questions or contributing opinions. This could quite easily be used in an advanced speaking class to allow keen students opportunities to explore studying language in or out of the classroom.
iTunes U is a repository of educational content including free lectures, audiobooks, lesson plans, video, primary sources and more. Teachers can access this site to enhance lessons as well as allow students to search for information important to them.