Assistive Technologies - Let that voice be heard

My name is Anita Paratore and I am in my fourth year of university studying primary education. I have recently been researching how applications on the iPad and iPod Touch can assist children in the classroom. There are various applications that students can use to communicate, design and create. I have also found different articles and blogs that explore how these applications can benefit chidlren with ASDs. I would love to see further research on this issue which is why I created this iMovie.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Assistive technology
• Autism
• children
• communication
• iPad
• iPod Touch
• applications
• PROLOQuO2GO

[Millyabc1]

One of my passions is helping students with disabilities as I come from a family with understanding to these issues. I was deeply inspired by your imovie and hope that this message can reach many educators not just in our country, but nation wide. Technology is advancing all over the world and with a brand as popular as ipad, this idea could really advance! I pose the question, could this idea also work for students with down syndrome??

[neets7427]

@Millyabc1 I am not sure about how it has been used in this way but I am sure it has or could be used. I focused on how the iPad is effecting children with ASDS because I have heard about it through friends who have a child on the Autism spectrum. Even if it is just entertaining him or helping him say a few things, he benefits greatly from his iPad.

[rlpreston86]

I was very excited when I saw your i video title. I have a personal interest in special needs education and carried out my own project on ‘how assistive technologies enhancing communication for children with PMLD. The school where I carried out my project were just beginning to experiment with using the I Pad with students functioning on the autistic spectrum. The way in which your video is composed, choice of images and music allowed you to convey a very powerful message.

Rachel Preston

[neets7427]

@rlpreston86 That is wonderful to hear of a school experimenting with Ipads! I hope the results are positive. I'm really passionate about seeing this technology help students in the classroom and in their homes so that is fantastic news. Thank you for your feedback too.

[abbas123456]

It's great to see technology being used effectively to support inclusion and not purely for the sake of technology. The video is really well made. Well done.

[neets7427]

@abbas123456 I agree, it can be such a danger to just use technology because it is a new technology or because everyone else is. It's important to look at our reasons why we are using it..

[LaureyB23]

Well done on a superb effort Anita. I currently have a girl in my Year 6 prac class with Autisim. It seems like there is very little being done for her at the moment. I find it so frustrating as I have been told to just keep her happy and let her do whatever she wants during lessons (usually colouring in pictures) instead of trying to engage her what I am teaching. I feel very excited by the advances in technology that are taking place which allow for students such as this to engage in learning.

[charlottegalea]

Such great work Anita! There are so many ways in which technology can help children to develop and learn. This video has encouraged me not to broaden my thinking when I think of how I can use technology, and how I can use technology to assist those with special needs. There are so many opportunities to use this great tool of technology for so many different individuals!

[neets7427]

@sabsta89 I agree completely! It's our responsibility as educators! 

[neets7427]

@MissVoss101 great to hear!