Assistive Technology For Students Research Articles

Obstacles to Using Assistive Technology for Students with Visual Impairments in Jordan

Objectives: The study aimed to know the major obstacles that face students with visual impairment when assistive technology is implemented in the Jordanian environment.
 Methods: The study sample was chosen randomly from the visually impaired students from Abdullah bin Umm Maktoum School in Jordan, whose number was (50) male and female students. In this study, a quantitative approach was used, where a questionnaire of 21 items was used as the main tool of the study. A validation and reliability check was conducted on the tool. The questionnaire was distributed to the study sample. Subsequently, the Statistical Package for Social Sciences System was used to gather and evaluate the data (SPSS, ver.20).
 Results: The results indicated that the obstacle level is medium and that the most important obstacle facing students is time lacking when using assistive devices in the classroom. Other factors play an important role, including parents' poor knowledge of ICT as well as the family's economic situation to purchase such devices.
 Conclusion: The study recommended the necessity of communication and coordination between the Ministry of Education regarding training programs offered to families, students, and teachers.

Using the Technique of Interaction Design (IxD) and Augmented Reality (AR) as Assistive Technology for Students with Disabilities

This paper considers the implement of Kids Can Read Application to assist kids with learning disabilities to spell and read correctly. The researchers applied the advantage of Quick Response (QR) code technology into the interaction design. The Kids Can Read will install on smartphone or tablet and will be using with word card with QR code integrated, kids will scan the QR code, and the spelling instruction will appear with sound of each word. Kids will be able to open the application to reviewing the word afterward without the re-scan the QR code. The interface design of the Kids Can Read is easy to use and kids friendly. Most of the kids in this study prefer to use Kids Can Read to help them learn and practice of word reading and spelling. As a result, when the application was conducted into practice in schools, the sample in this study had a statistically significant increase in spelling ability at 0.05. This is in consistent with the hypothesis that the ability to read word spelling of the Grade 3 students with learning disability in reading is higher after using the Kids Can Read. Hence, we anticipate that all of students with learning disabilities who study in Grade 3 in the country will have chance to use the application by the end of next year.

Designing and developing an accessible web-based assistive technology for students with visual impairment

ABSTRACT This article introduces the design principles of a web-based assistive technology (WAT) developed for students with visual impairment (VI). The pedagogical goal guiding the development process was the enhancement of vocabulary knowledge for students studying English as a foreign language (EFL) in terms of their spelling and semantics. The study attempted to overcome the problems of individuals with VI through provision of an accessible and suitable learning environment. A design-based research (DBR) framework with a qualitative approach was employed with three groups of participants (students, experts, and families). The study’s results revealed important findings for researchers, educators, and teachers of students with VI. The qualitative data analysis revealed that the WAT was accurate, appropriate, and accessible, especially in underlining design considerations. An appropriate set of distinct design principles that were founded based on the particular learning context of the study were also produced.

Assistive Technology for Students with Intellectual Disability: Examining Special Education Teachers ‘ Perceptions in Saudi Arabia

Individuals with an intellectual disability (ID) have complex learning needs, and often experience difficulty acquiring new skills that rely solely on traditional teaching materials. Assistive technology (AT) is a powerful tool that plays an important role in addressing many of the issues encountered by those with ID, via the integration of technology in their learning process. This study explores teachers’ views of AT facilities in different special education programs for students with ID in the Makkah province of Saudi Arabia, in order to identify the uses of the AT tools used to teach them. The study employs semi-structured interviews as the data collection method, seeking to determine the current state of AT integration in this field. The data is analyzed using qualitative methods, and the findings reveal that the teachers interviewed incorporate AT into the academic setting, and agree that such technology can foster student learning, assignment completion, and engagement.

Integrating Assistive Technology For Students With Learning Disabilities In Universities In Nigeria

Integrating Assistive Technology For Students With Learning Disabilities In Universities In Nigeria

The use of assistive technology for students with disabilities in inclusive education

Under Section 5, Subsection 5 of the Regulation of the Minister of National Education of August 9, 2017, on conditions for organizing education and care for children and adolescents with disabilities, children and adolescents who are socially maladjusted, and children and adolescents who are at risk of social maladjustment, children with disabilities are granted equal access to education in mainstream schools as well as to curricula, methods, and organization of instruction that are adapted to their psychophysical abilities and provided within an inclusive education model. Many researchers who analyze the conditions for successful inclusion of students with disabilities in mainstream school argue that assistive technology can help these students overcome a lot of barriers they encounter in inclusive settings, thus giving them a chance of a significantly higher level of academic performance and social functioning. This paper explains what assistive technology is and provides a review of available solutions in the area of technological support for students with visual impairments, hearing impairments, communication disorders, and mobility disabilities. It also analyzes the use of assistive technology in working with students with disabilities in a diverse school setting from the point of view of challenges facing teachers and the whole environment supporting students with disabilities.

Özel Eğitimde Teknoloji Kullanımına İlişkin Özel Eğitim Öğretmenlerinin Deneyim ve Görüşleri

This study aims to determine the experiences and opinions of special education teachers working in a special education school regarding the use of assistive technology. A total of eight teachers, one male and seven female, working in a special education vocational school have participated in the study. The research is based on phenomenological research design, and the data has been collected with semi-structured interview technique. The data obtained from the interviews were analyzed using the content analysis technique with NVivo 10 program. The findings have revealed information on the teachers' use of assistive technology and the areas it is used in, their access to technological tools, the benefits of using assistive technology for students, teachers and parents, the difficulties those teachers have in terms of using assistive technology, and their opinions and suggestions regarding the use of assistive technology. The findings are discussed considering the teachers' opportunities and suggestions as of the current year in which the study was conducted.

Assistive Technology for Students With Disabilities: An Updated Snapshot

Assistive technology can benefit students with disabilities in terms of independence and performance. Yet more research is needed regarding usage of assistive technology. Using the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 database, the authors explored reported use regarding assistive technology by secondary students with disabilities. Overall, the authors found low rates of assistive technology reported use among students with disabilities aggregated, although there were large ranges across disability categories (e.g., 14.5%–74.0% for use of assistive technology). Disability category had a statistically significant relationship with reported assistive technology use for secondary students.

USE OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR LANGUAGE LEARNERS WITH VISUAL AND HEARING IMPAIRMENTS IN THE USA

This article strives to provide research findings and implications for the use of assistive technologies (AT) for students with visual and hearing impairments. First, the common challenges associated with visual and hearing impairments in students while learning languages, and the process of fitting AT to this category of students have been discussed. The research was focused on AT for language learning, reading, writing. Assistive technology items have been grouped according to whether they enhances the visual or hearing capabilities of students with disabilities. Assistive technologies for students with visual impairments and blindness have been united in assistive technologies for reading (technologies that enhance sight capabilities, technologies that engage senses and abilities other than sight literature), assistive technologies for writing (technologies that enhance sight capabilities, technologies that engage senses and abilities other than sight); assistive technologies for students with hearing impairments (amplification devices, telecommunication device for the deaf, frequency-modulated amplification systems.
 Based on principles of organization of language education in the system of language policy in the USA, the importance of English learning for students with visual and hearing disabilities in the USA has been grounded. Areas for future research of assistive technologies for students with visual and hearing impairments and the value of research findings to optimizing the education and development of students have been shown as a great need for continued work in these areas.

Determining the Opinions of Special Education Teachers Regarding the Use of Assistive Technologies for Overcoming Reading Difficulties

Reading is one of the basic skills that the students’ need to achieve, however, it is also one of the important competencies that is essential for reaching knowledge. Reading difficulty is a main problem that many teachers are coming across in their classrooms. Students’ with reading disabilities not only hinder the teachers’ flow of the lesson it also hinders the development of the students life skills. With the revolution of the technology in the 21ST century, assistive technologies are seen to be applied into the education settings at all levels and in all fields. Therefore, teachers are in need to know about the available technology and special technology programs in order to help their students facing difficulties in acquiring the necessary knowledge and skills. Technological enrichment of teachers' educational environment both facilitates and helps them to motivate students more easily. Technology support into the educational environments of the students with reading difficulties can improve their reading skills and enable them to succeed in reading and comprehending. The present study sought to determine the opinions of special education teachers’ regarding using assistive technology for students with reading difficulties. The research design is based on the qualitative case study design with purposeful sampling and easily accessible sampling technique. Researchers developed semi-structured interview form for data collection applied content analysis to analyze the collected data. The analysis of the study found that teacher opinions towards assistive technology usage for overcoming students’ reading difficulties are rather moderate. However, teachers’ general opinions about assistive technology utilization is promising and developing gradually.

Assistive technology for students with visual disability in schools for the blind in Delhi

Background: To understand the awareness and utilization of assistive technology in students at schools for the blind in Delhi.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 250 students selected randomly from 10 blind schools in Delhi. Binocular distance presenting and pinhole vision acuity were assessed using Snellen “E” chart and a multiple pinhole occluder. Students were also interviewed using a questionnaire about 42 assistive devices to understand their awareness and use.Results: Male participants were 72.8%. Of the total, 27.6% students had best corrected visual acuity <6/18 to 1/60, and the rest had <1/60 vision. The awareness about tactile and sound-based technology was good among students: Braille books (98%), Braille slate and stylus (99.2%), handheld audio recorders (77.6%) and screen readers (77.2%). Good awareness was reported for abacus (88.8%), walking long canes (94.4%) and smart cane (89.6%), audible balls (96%), Braille chess (82.8%) and talking watch (98%). Among the students with <6/18 to 1/60 vision, the awareness of visual based technology ranged from 0.8% (typoscope) to 43.6% (video magnifiers). Braille technology was used for reading by 96.4% (books) and for writing by 96.8% (Braille slate and stylus) irrespective of visual status. Other devices were poorly used ranging from nil (typoscope) to 55% (screen readers). The use of math and science learning devices was poor (<20%). Walking canes were used by 59% of students whereas 87.2% students used audible ball for games.Conclusion: The results showed that majority of students used tactile based technology irrespective of visual status.Implications for rehabilitationStudents with visual disability need assistive technology for a wide range of activities including academic learning.Students in schools for the blind who have binocular best corrected vision acuity of 1/60 or better should be encouraged to use visual based assistive technology instead of tactile based.Students with binocular best corrected vision acuity less than1/60 should be encouraged to use other available tactile and sound-based assistive technologies as well as Braille books and Braille slate and stylus for their academic activities including maths and sciences.Teachers should be trained in the use of various assistive technologies for reading, writing, maths, sciences, sports, mobility and activities of daily living.

Assistive technology for students with visual disability: Classification matters

Assistive technology for students with visual disability: Classification matters

Using Interactive Whiteboards as an Assistive Technology for Students with Intellectual Disability

The use of interactive white boards (IWB) in schools has become widespread in recent years. One aim of using IWB is to increase efficiency in education through the use of technology. As for all schools, there is a need for special education schools to use these IWBs. According to the literature, the use of technology in the education of students with disabilities makes a very significant difference for them. This study focuses on the impact of courses assisted by multi-media materials presented through IWB on the education of intellectually disabled students in terms of (1) students’ participation and (2) teachers’ teaching practices in the classroom. Participants of this study consisted of four students and two teachers. From the results, it can be seen that the use of IWBs in the education of students with intellectual disabilities has both advantages and disadvantages. Interaction with IWB, large objects, multimedia support were positive effects on students. However, teachers had some trouble with class management at the beginning, but they were able to overcome these problems over time.

Assistive Technology for Students With Visual Impairments: A Resource for Teachers, Parents, and Students

Assistive technology (AT) for students with visual impairments (VI) is an essential part of their educational program. AT allows students to develop skills, engage in the academic environment, and function independently. Despite the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandate for AT as part of a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), research has found that rural schools use fewer AT devices when compared with urban schools. The extent of AT use is significantly determined by the level of teachers’ training and their familiarity with AT. In this article, the authors present an AT resource they created to provide teachers and parents with current, helpful information on AT for students with VI. The resource details (a) application/devices about which teachers need to know more, (b) the type of VI with which an application/device is most helpful, (c) key features, (d) cost, (e) sources for additional information, (f) product guides and research evaluating the AT, and (g) organizations that provide additional information.

Technology Today: Inclusive or Exclusionary for Students with Vision Impairment?

The inclusion and equity of mainstream education for Australian students with vision impairment was considered in this phenomenological study of seven students’ experiences. Using Interpretative Phenomenology Analysis, the theme of technology was viewed as significant. Participants revealed a combination of ineffective technology for accessing board-work and worksheets, lack of training in the use of the technology, incompatibility issues, time factors and the lack of teacher expertise limited their use of technology. The provision of appropriate assistive technology for students with vision impairment in this digital age is paramount if equality is to be achieved. Students require training, by experts in technology and vision impairment, in the most current assistive technologies to access instructive technology increasingly used in classrooms and in the wider community. Teachers need an understanding of how imperative assistive technology is for students with vision impairment, and must become skilled practitioners in its use.

Captioned Recorded Lectures as a Mainstream Learning Tool

Captioned Recorded Lectures as a Mainstream Learning Tool

Use of iPads as Assistive Technology for Students with Disabilities

Over the past decades, technology has been considered an essential tool for providing equal accessibility and opportunities for students with disabilities. As technology has evolved, a new type of technology, mobile devices, emerged in the late 2000s. Specifically, iPads have quickly gained attention and popularity in special education settings. The potential benefits of the use of iPads as assistive technology (AT) for supporting students with disabilities has been demonstrated among professionals. This paper is a brief summary of previous literature on the use of iPads as AT for functional skills of individuals with disabilities. In addition, the paper addresses the beneficial features of iPads as AT and introduces example AT apps, as well as online resources for those apps.

Assistive technology for students with learning disabilities: A glimpse of the livescribe pen and its impact on homework completion

This research investigated the effectiveness of an assistive technology tool, the Livescribe Pen (LSP), with an elementary student identified with dyslexia. Using interview and focus group methodologies over the span of one academic year, the study probed the perceptions of teachers, parent, and child. While the LSP was primarily utilized for curriculum accessibility and an audio tool to promote academic independence, the study’s findings reveal its impact as an assistive technology on both academic success for children with disabilities as well as non-academic gains. These included an increase in independence, more time for social activities, and the ability to develop strategies for homework success. Most importantly, the academic team and the parent reported a sense of higher aspirations for this student; ones they had not thought possible previously. Finally, the study revealed two elements critically important for students with disabilities. Those are the importance of fostering communities of support and the importance of self-determination.

Assistive Technology for Students With Disabilities

Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams are required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to consider a student’s need for assistive technology (AT). Despite this legal requirement, AT supports are often not available to students with disabilities. Many students with disabilities and their families have addressed the failure to consider and provide AT supports through litigation. The purpose of this article is to examine the case law pertaining to the assessment, selection, and provision of AT learning supports for students with disabilities. A legal analysis was conducted to determine litigation themes. Based on these results, several recommendations for IEP teams are proposed.

Assistive technology for students with disabilities in higher education

Assistive technology for students with disabilities in higher education