Assistive Technology
in the classroom
Dragon Dictation
I have had use this app with students before. This particular student a hard time with his writing. He would tend to writing less if he physically had to write it out. The teachers allowed him to go in the hallway to record his papers and then the papers were email to the teachers. Great assistive technology and it really boasted the student's confidence.
Dragon Dictation Continued
Dragon dictation is a speech-to-text app/software. It can be helpful to a wide range of students, including those who might have a physical disability that prevents them from writing or a student with a learning disability that gets easily frustrated with spelling or sentence structure. This piece improves students' communication skills. Students are able to stay on track with their peers when they have to write essays or complete homework.
Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
PECS is a communication system used mainly with children with Autism but can be used with any nonverbal student. The student uses their individualized board to communicate with those around them. I have used this with one student and she would use it to tell us what she wanted to do during her break time. She would select a picture of objects she could play with and would grab the sentence that said, "I want" along with her object. PECS are great way for students to communicate and express exactly what they want without teachers having to guess.