1. Dynavox
Technology is important in every classroom; however, I believe it’s important in more ways in special education classrooms than general education
classrooms. An important thing to keep in mind is that children with special needs function and learn a bit differently than their peers without a disability. By
using various technology devices, special needs children cannot only use it for academic reasons, but for other reasons as well. Typically, special needs children
use technology for communication and to help them physically (if they have a physical disability, a device can be used to help them type, etc.). With our world
growing to become reliant on technology, it’s important to teach students how to keep up with a technologically advanced world that keeps growing so quickly.
Of course, these students include those with special needs. They’re people capable of learning too.
As I’ve said, children with special needs learn and function a bit differently than their peers without disabilities. IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act: http://idea.ed.gov/) requires that all students with special needs have equal access to the curriculum as their peers by any means necessary. This
includes providing them with some kind of electrical assistive technology. Some of this assistive technology
includes:
 iPad
 Dynavox (old, clunky version of the iPad)
 Computer
I want to teach in a classroom with students who have a moderate to severe disability, so chances are that every one of my students will have some kind of
assistive technology. The following table includes examples of moderate to severe disabilities and possible electric assistive technology that students could use.
Autism (technically a spectrum, so it depends where the child is placed
on the spectrum)
SmartBoard
Down Syndrome iPad

2. Autism is an umbrella term for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Since autism is actually a spectrum, the
severity of the child’s disability depends on where the child’s placed on the spectrum. Typically, the
more severe the autism is, the less likely it is for the child to talk. Due to this, a piece of technology
that the child can use is the SmartBoard. The SmartBoard can be used for academic and
communication reasons, which shows the versatility of technology in special education. The child
can use Paint to draw what he’s experiencing, what he wants, and/or what he needs. If he is able to
express these things, then he will be able to focus more on his school work because he has had the time to vent. If he can communicate with others and others
understand him, then he will less likely be frustrated. If the child is frustrated, then he won’t be able to focus and thus his school work will suffer.
Students with Down Syndrome not only have intellectual difficulties, but they also have physical difficulties as well. They tend to not have good muscle
control in their hands, which makes legible handwriting difficult. They also have problems with speech, but that is mainly due to a lack of tongue control;
however, their speech is able to be understood (for the most part). To help with their handwriting, then can use an iPad and an app called Dragon Dictation
(https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dragon-dictation/id341446764?mt=8). This app allows the child to speak to the iPad and the device will type what he said. It’s
basically a verbal word processor.