Assistive Technology in Education

The term 'Assistive Technology' can refer to the following: Multimedia, computer-based teaching, and learning, as well as voice-assisted instruction. A lot of times people equate assistive technology with audio-visual technology, but that is only the beginning. There are also "Text to Speech" applications that use the type of software you might see on your Blackberry instead of on your TV.

When someone first hears the term, they may think of a specially made chair that aids in reading and writing. But the term goes beyond this. Today's Assistive Technology uses all types of technology to help students learn. The capability to teach from home or at school by telephone, as well as electronic data transfer and videotaping make it possible for teachers to continue their classroom assignments after they are completed.

Text to speech devices use text to speech software to deliver words. These programs allow a teacher to speak directly into the receiver. The resulting words are just like speaking, and you can hear and understand them just as if you were in the room with the teacher.

With multimedia applications, students can watch, listen, play, and pause videos. They can compare what is on the screen with what is said. They can also display pictures, edit video clips, and add music. Some applications offer interactive games that students can play with other students, or with the instructor in the class.

Computer-based technologies have expanded by leaps and bounds. Often, a student can use these technologies in their own classrooms, as well as in their homes. A student can bring their computer to school and use the software to teach themselves.

There are Web browsers for the PC, Mac, and the Internet. The computers and web browsers provide e-mail, instant messaging, class schedule, and Web surfing capabilities. Students can take notes on their own time and do some of their work on their own computer. Technology like this allows them to learn faster, easier and more thoroughly.

Video Conferencing is a great way to stay in touch with your family and friends while you are traveling. A teacher can show his/her students a video clip and ask them to perform tasks. They could review or try to figure out the next step, or they could simply watch the video, listen to it, and participate. Teachers get to stay in touch with their students, they get feedback, and they get to improve their skills without having to leave their classroom.

Studies have shown that when students are at home, they learn better. This is why you can see some video on the television, however you do not want to turn the television off while children are watching the video. You want to be able to see the program without the child looking at the television, but you do not want to turn the television off either.

Kids learn by doing things with their hands and so do lesson plans. Using multimedia tools, they can take a video, print it out, and look at it at their leisure. You can use lesson plans, PowerPoint presentations, or any other PowerPoint or multimedia application that you can download online.

Students do better if they get the same attention from the teacher that they would if they were in the same class, so a lesson plan or a class schedule should have a similar note. It should be easy to follow, with a variety of lesson plans that use different types of media. It should be comparable to a real-life experience so that students have something to relate to.

Training DVDs are the perfect complement to a computer-based class. Students who are using technology can take the DVD to class and do some of their training. The training will show them how to do the same thing, but it will be easier to understand because of the multimedia interface.

Assistive Technology in education is here today. It was not always that way, but now it is a part of education everywhere. For more blogs related to technology visit the website https://infocode.us