Marietta College Education Department - Educators as Leaders for 21st Century Schools

 

 

Assistive Technologies for Students with Disabilities

Education 659

 

Instructor: Nick Weliand, MSEd.

Email: 91_neiland@seovec.org

     Contact Information: 1-800-882-6186

 

 

Course Description: This course reviews the technology used to assist students with disabilities in accessing the general education curriculum and activities as well as technology to assist people with disabilities in everyday activities.  This course provides students with the knowledge and application of technology to support students in computer access, augmentative and alternative communication systems, reading and writing, and everyday activities.  Assessment and implementation issues will be presented in the context of developing individualized plans for students using assistive technology.

 

Required Textbook: None (Internet based)

Optional Texts/Readings: Assistive Technologies: Principles and Practice

Albert M. Cook PhD, PE and Susan M. Hussey, MS, OTR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONCEPTS AND ISSUES

 

SKILLS ASSESSMENT TASKS INTENDED OUTCOME/S
What must students understand to demonstrate intended outcomes? What skills must the student master/ have mastered to demonstrate intended outcome/s? What will the student do to demonstrate evidence of these outcomes?

What must the student be able to do at the end of the course?

Definition of assistive technology

Legal Issues of AT

Know federal AT definition

Know AT legal requirements

Give examples of appropriate assistive technology Describe the rights of students with disabilities relative to AT and school district responsibility in providing AT
Application of AT in the IEP process Write appropriate present levels, annual goals and short term objectives including AT Write an IEP as part of a case study that includes AT Write AT appropriately into IEP's to meet student need
Principles of AT assessment Know and use assessment tools to gather data and make decisions about AT Write-up an AT assessment as part of a case study Apply the principles of AT assessment to match appropriate technology to individual student need
Keeping current with new developments in AT Know where to find information about current AT developments Demonstrate how to use Internet to access information about curent AT Find current resources that meet individual student needs
Operation of Specific AT hardware and software Effecively operate and adapt AT hardware and software

Demonstrate proficient use of specific hardware and software in the areas of :

reading, writing, communication, computer access, vision, hearing, activities of daily living and environmental control

Know how to use specific AT devices and software to meet students needs in:

reading, writing, communication, computer access, vision, hearing, activities of daily living and environmental control

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course Objectives

 

Evidence of Documentation

Teacher as Leader

Framework

Component

 

Praxis III Domains  

CEC/ NCATE

 

Define Assistive Technology

Examination

Research Paper

II

A

1

Become aware of the law, rules and legislation providing assistive technology to people with disabilities.

Examination

Research Paper

II

A

1

Define the role of support personal in identifying assistive technology.

Examination

Research paper

Classroom visitation by occupational, physical, and speech therapists

V

D

10

Identify assessment and identification strategies in assistive technology.

Examination and Research Paper

I

A

8

Match the assistive technology to the consumer.

Lesson Plan Form

Demonstrate use of AT.

Allow student to identify possible web-sites with AT.

II,III,IV

A,C

3,4

Identify the benefits of assistive technology to people with disabilities.

Examinations

Research Paper

Guest Speakers who rely on Assistive technology in daily living.

II

A

1,2,

Identify ways of expanding opportunities for participating within settings that accommodate wide ranges of differences in abilities and interests.

Power Point Presentation and Research Paper

III,

B

3,4

Develop a plan for assistive technology to meet specific learning and developmental needs of people with disabilities.

Individual Education Planning form.

III,IV

A,C

7

 

Marietta College Education Program Dispositions Addressed in this Course

 

The student will:

  1. Demonstrate responsible and ethical professional behavior.
  2. Respect cultural diversity.
  3. Appreciate diversity in student backgrounds, experiences, and abilities.
  4. Exhibit a belief that students can learn and perform in the world of work.
  5. Exhibit a willingness to collaborate with peers and professional colleagues to enhance professional growth and opportunities for student learning.
  6. Appreciate the role of families in facilitating student learning.
  7. Exhibit a willingness to try new methods and technologies to enhance student learning.
  8. Exhibit a positive attitude toward learning as an ongoing life-enriching process.
  9. Demonstrate a willingness to assume leadership roles in the college and P-12 classroom.

 

 

 

 

 

Technology Components:

1. Perform a PowerPoint presentation on an individual project

2.  Identify technologies and assistive technologies and lack of technologies used        in mild/moderate educational settings.

3.  Use World Wide Web in identifying resources utilized in ,mild/moderate educational issues.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diversity/Multiculturalism: Mr. Weiland will:

 

1.   Remind students that contributions to the classroom should be made from diverse       people to solve educational issues that could affect the teaching field.

  1. Make a special effort to invite diverse mentors in the teaching field.
  2. Provide an atmosphere where all students are comfortable to express their thoughts and beliefs.
  3. Use a variety of teaching styles (modes) to address a diverse classroom.
  4. Encourage teams or groups within the classroom that foster mutual respect and cooperation.
  5. Offer a chance for students to meet with me after class to discuss issues or assignments they may not have understood.

7. .Experience post positivist primary theoretical orientation: humanistic/existential      

    theorist focusing on affective rather than cognitive or behavioral domains with an

          emphasis on the subjective and personal aspects of humankind

8 Explore a variety of assistive technology that can benefit the child with disabilities in an educational setting.

9. Will invite people with disabilities to demonstrate varieties of assistive technologies.

 

 

 

Attendance Policy:

As a Master’s level course, you will be asked to actively participate in class discussions, offer insight and reflect.  Master’s students will also be asked to compare and contrast different theories and or techniques.  10 points will be deducted from this section for every missed class.  For example, 10 x 15 (weeks) = 150 points.  Also, students must attend focus groups while studying abroad those dates will be announced at the trip pre-meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special Needs/Accommodation Policy:

Students who believe that they may need accommodations due to a documented disability should contact the Academic Resource Center (Andrews Hall, Third floor, 376-4700) and the instructor as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely manner. You must meet with the

ARC staff to verify your eligibility for any accommodation and for academic assistance

 

 

Policy on Cheating and Plagiarism:

"Academic dishonesty within the academic community is a very serious matter, because dishonesty destroys the basic trust necessary for a healthy education environment. Academic dishonesty is any treatment or representation of work as if one were fully responsible for it, when it is in fact the work of another person. Academic dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism, theft, or improper manipulation of laboratory or research data or theft of services. A substantiated case of academic dishonesty may result in disciplinary action, including a failing grade on the project, a failing grade in the course, or expulsion from the College"  Academic dishonesty in a Master’s degree program is a very serious matter and will more than likely cause an expulsion from the College( Marietta College Graduate Programs, 2003-2004 Catalog,   p. 34).

 

 

Grading:

Grades will be based on mastery of the course objectives as demonstrated by the completion of all course requirements/assignments. Late assignments will not be accepted.

The grades in this class are based on percentages.  In this way, students will know how close they are to moving up a grade or slipping down a grade.  Percentage points are absolute and non-negotiable.

 

97% - 100%  A+         83% - 86% B               70% - 72% C-

93% - 96%    A           80% - 82% B-             67% - 69% D+

90% - 92%    A-          77% - 79% C+            63% - 66% D

87% - 89%    B+         73% - 76% C              60% - 62% D-

                                                                        Below 60% F

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class Schedule TBA

 

Date

           Topic to be Addressed          

         Outcomes        

       Assignments Due

 August 23

Overview: AT examples; Simulation; Definitions: Legal Issues

 1. Learners will know what AT is and is not.

2. Learners will now the school district's responsibility relative to AT.

3. Learners will experience what it is like to have a disability and use technology.

4. Learners will know of websites realtive to the basics of assistive technology.

Review Definitions

View and Discuss Cases

View AT and OISM cone

Review Legal Issues

Simulation Exercise

 Sept. 6

IEP; Assessment; Funding

 

1.Explore Parents section of Resources on AT website, prepare to report on one site.

2. Read IEP, Assessment and Funding sections of AT website, prepare to discuss in class.

3. Explore and report on assessment resources. Select one and prepare to report on:

http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/DecisionMaking

http://www.wati.org/

http://sweb.uky.edu/~jszaba0/JoyZabala.html

http://www.esu3.or/departments/sped/assist/assist.html#assess

 Sept. 20

Computer Access; Universal Design

 1Learners will know ow to activate teh accessibility controls in Windows OS:

2. Learners will know how to set-up and use alternative pointing device (mouse) Penny & Giles Trackball; Penny Giles Joystick;

3. Learners will know how to set up and use and alternate physical keyboard IntelliKeys; My Keys; Big Keys

4. Learners will know how to install and use on-screen keyboards

http://cnt.lakefolks.org/#Download

5. Learners will know how to install and use alternate cursors

http://rbx.de/big-cursors/

6.Learners will know the basic principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and be able to analyze a classroom for UDL

http://www.cast.org/research/faq/index/html

http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent.html

7. Explore free Text-to-Speech Resource: http://www.awesomelibrary.org/

 1. Each participant presents on one aspect of Windows accessibility,

http://www.microsoft.com/enable/products/windowsxp

2. Learn the basics for use of one piece of text-to-speech software and teach to class: Write: Outloud; IntelliTalk; WYNN; Text and Write Gold.

 October 4

Access to Print

 

 

 October 18

Access to Writing

 

 

 November 1

Switch Control; Activities of Daily Living; Augmentative Communication

 

 

 November 15

Visual Aids; Assisted Listening; Mobility

 

 

 December 6

EXAM