Research

Frequency of Assistive Technology Use

Teachers who provide assistive technology support to students in both special education and general education tend to differentiate and personalize instruction more often (CAST, 2013).

Teacher Involvement in Assistive Technology

Teachers who are involved in assistive technology decisions feel greater ownership over the process, and they are more likely to use assistive technology in their classrooms (CAST, 2013).

Summary:

Forty-eight percent of General Education Teachers and Fifty-four percent of Teachers with EL students do not use Assistive Technology with their students. Forty-six percent of those surveyed do not help select technologies for students. Fifty-eight percent of staff have never recieved training on effective use of Asssistive Technology

Goal:

The goal is to increase awareness of assistive technology tools for the general education  students to help all students with their learning needs not just those in Special Education.  

Actions:

• Work with the Special Education Department to see what tools can be used across the spectrum of learning.

• Use grade level and building level teams to discuss student needs and see what supports can be put into place.

• Provide options for exploration and training on assistive technology tools.