Assistive Technology

-- I saved this as a draft on the 10th. Oops! --

It is amazing how some of this technology has changed the face of a classroom. For students to be in more inclusive systems because the technology allows them to be included is one of the best things to happen to the world of education since the white board.

One of the greatest stories I've heard in the past couple years was about a student that was restricted for the majority of his life to his home. He had some disorder that didn't allow him to be in class often. Yet, he still wanted the same experience. SO, the school and the family worked together to build a "droid" like device to roll around school to allow him to attend all of his classes (even driving his "droid" self to his next class from home) in real time, ask questions, be called on, and participate with his classmates.

Just stop and think for a minute- a student confined to his home still participating in class. This wasn't possible 10 years ago. A student confined to a wheel chair is able to manipulate a computer with same results of an able bodied student. The student with hearing diffeciencies is now able to take a personal amplifier to each class and have his/her teacher speak to them just as the rest of the class.

I think what it all comes down too is inclusiveness. These students wouldn't have been able to participate in class in the past, but with the assistance of technology, they can.