Assistive Technology

This program is recommended for students who are slow typists or have difficulty with spelling. With this program, students can begin typing a word and the program will predict the word they are trying to complete. It also included features for word translation and speech recognition. Using this program is helpful in keeping the ideas flowing while a student is typing. In addition, this program collects data for the teachers that shows how many words students are typing and how long it takes them.

This is a productivity-based online game that is set to motivate students. Some of the games can be played individually while others have students compete against each other which increases their motivation. Research shows that "seven research-based elements that contribute to effective instruction: inclusion of clear objectives, strategies for developing skills and subskills, three or more examples for each skill, five or more skill practice opportunities, error feedback with correct answer, error analysis, and progress tracking. (Robyler, 2018)" Many of these strategies are included in this program.

According to Abilities.com (n.d.), eye trackers "require the movement of the eye itself—the movement of other muscles is not required, making it a perfect solution for those with rehabilitative disabilities and motor disabilities. " Through the use of this software, users are able to open and read emails and website, play games and view videos. These devices are perfect for users with cerebral palsy, paralysis, or autism.

The Maltron one-hand keyboard is specifically designed for one-hand operation. It is available for either left hand or right hand users. The keys are placed in an arrangement that allows the fingers to reach all the keys. According to Ability.net (2019), "It is possible to learn to touch type using one hand and there are software-based typing tutors ... matching natural hand movement through adapted key arrangement. "

This device is a perfect combination of magnifying glass, screen and speech reader. According to their website, SuperNova you can: boost magnification, announce punctuation, replace difficult colors, increase verbosity, hear webpages, and turn on braille. This program can read characters as you type and uses a natural voice to describe webpages and emails. This resource is effective for students with visual sensory difficulties such as low-vision and blindness. This one program will help both low-vision and blind students to be successful because it will read and turn on braille for blind students and will adjust colors, and magnify text for low-vision users.

Frequency Modulation systems, commonly known as FM systems, are frequently used in classrooms to assist students with hearing difficulties. Using a radio frequency, a teacher can speak into a microphone usually attached attached around her neck, that transmits to a receiver worn by the student. This device will help hearing impaired students to be successful because they will be able to hear the teacher from any location in the classroom, and can adjust the volume as needed.

Adobe Spark is highly personalized and empowering for students. It is easy to use and has a wide variety of opportunities for classroom use. Students can express themselves creatively and produce a large variety of different projects. In this easy to use program, students can create incredible videos and graphics.

This online program offers a wide variety of learning opportunities for the gifted learners. This activity will meet the needs of the gifted students by using interactive lessons, hands-on activities, games, puzzles, and virtual field trips. The information centers around science, space, and technology and offers challenging questions for students.

According to their website, Tinker is set up to be grade specific but gifted students work ahead. The coding program teaches students of all grade levels how to use Python, JAVA, and other coding in curriculum specific categories. Teachers can track the students assessment. This is perfect for gifted students as it engages critical thinking skills in a variety of different programs.