Module 11

Technological Tools for Assisting Students with Special and/or Diverse Needs and Noting the Specific Learning Outcomes for each Technology
http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te800.htm#langlearner
In the article, Critical Issue: Using Technology to Improve Student Achievement, the ninth paragraph down present information on students with disabilities and how to improve their learning through technology. Two main ways that technology helps students with disabilities is modifying text to match the specific needs of the students reading it and allowing accommodations for students with disabilities to participate in standardized testing. Students with disabilities are usually separated from the rest of the school and with the help of technology these students can become integrated with the rest of their school.
The first goal of technology when helping students with disabilities is allowing them to access materials in a more manageable way. “Text styles and font sizes can be modified as needed by readers with visual disabilities; read aloud by computer-based text-to-speech translators; and integrated with illustrations, videos, and audio.” The second way that technology helps with aiding students with disabilities is by helping with standardized testing. “State academic content and achievement standards now define the goals of education for all students, and most students with disabilities are now expected to reach the same level of proficiency as their non-disabled peers.” With the help of technology students with disabilities are able to work in a more proficient and accessible way that helps them achieve the goals that are set for them.