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Assistive/Instructional Technology Services


Assistive/Instructional Technology: Staff Directory

A student with extremely limited movement in his arms and legs is able to talk to his teachers and friends by activating a communication device with his eye movements.

A group of students with disabilities who have never been able to play instruments form a band by playing virtual instruments on iPads.

A student with a severe writing disability dictates his essay into the computer and sends it electronically to his teacher.

 

When learning about Egypt, a teacher quickly pulls up a virtual globe and takes the students on a walking tour of what Egypt looked like in ancient times and what it looks like now.

A teacher who has a student with autism in her classroom sits at her computer at the end of the school day and virtually attends a workshop given by an autism expert.

 

 

These scenarios are playing out every day in schools and they are all made possible with the use of technology. Technology is changing the way that we live and learn. It is opening doors, removing barriers, and making the unthinkable possible. Technology is at the core of virtually every aspect of our daily lives and work and schools today must use modern technology to create learning environments that are engaging, relevant, personalized and prepare students for real life.

The Technology Services Team at NSSED is committed to ensuring that all students have access to the technologies that they need in order to be successful in school and that every educator has the tools they need to provide students with highest quality instruction possible. NSSED's Technology Services Team is made up of individuals who have extensive knowledge and expertise in child development, curriculum and instruction, and in technology. They use this combined expertise to promote the most up to date and research based tools and strategies. They work side by side with educators and parents to identify the best technologies for the situation and implement the tools to ensure success. The Technology Services Team at NSSED works tirelessly to monitor trends in technology, navigate the new technologies that come out every day, and evaluate the appropriateness and effectiveness of these technologies.

Technology Services at NSSED includes instructional technology, assistive technology, and informational technology. While each of these three areas of technology are distinct in many ways, there is also much overlap. New technologies available, such as the iPad and other tablet computers, are blurring the lines because they can serve multiple functions. The multi-functionality of these devices as both instructional technology and assistive technology tools greatly benefits the students who are using these devices and services.

↓ Instructional Technology

Instructional technology is the use of technology in the classroom to promote learning and performance.

This includes hardware (computers, interactive white boards, tablets) and software installed on computers, educational websites, and IPad/IPhone apps. Instructional technology opens up a world of learning and teaches students skills that they need to be successful in the 21st century. One of the greatest benefits to using technology in instruction is the ability to very quickly and easily adapt a lesson to meet the needs of every learner in the classroom. The differentiation of instruction has been proven to improve student achievement.

↓ Assistive Technology

Assistive technology, or AT, is anything that is used to remove barriers associated with a person's disability.

For example, a student with a reading disability may use a device that reads written text to them. A student who is unable to use their voice may communicate through a device that talks for them. Or a student who does not have adequate mobility in their arms may use an alternate mouse to use the computer. In other words, Assistive Technology helps a person with a disability do something that s/he otherwise cannot do.

The range of assistive technology tools varies from very low tech, such as a specialized paper with raised lines, to very high tech, such as a communication device that can be activated with a student's eye movements. The role of the AT consultant is to assist school teams in the identification, evaluation, and implementation of AT tools. When AT is successfully used by individuals with disabilities to overcome the challenges of daily tasks, it can lead to increases in achievement, independence, and most importantly, improve their quality of life.

↓ Informational Technology

Informational Technology provides every student, educator, and level of the school system with the information processing resources they need to achieve positive student outcomes.

These resources include broadband Internet connectivity, file and application servers, data management systems, and administrative communication tools. Having a strong infrastructure improves the communication, collaboration, and learning among educators and staff, as well as increases efficiency and productivity in all aspects of district functioning. While the work of Informational Technology is often behind the scene, it is essential to supporting teaching and learning.

 

 

 

 

Technology Initiatives 2011-2012
NSSED is leading the way in the use of technology to support teaching and learning in education. There are several technology-related initiatives that will either begin or continue in the 2011-2012 school year.

• iTechnology in the Classroom
• Interactive White Boards in Special Education
• Web-based Professional Development and Meetings
• Electronic IEP's
• Web-based learning for students with autism

NSSED Technology Services consultants are available to provide resources, give technical assistance, answer questions, provide training, and to conduct evaluations. For additional information, please contact Carrie De La Cruz, Assistive Technology Coordinator at cdelacruz@nssed.org or 847-831-5100 ext. 3266.