4.1 Enhancing Technology Friendly Practices among Teachers.

4.1 Enhancing Technology-Friendly Practices among Teachers

A broad concept that deals with the usage and knowledge of tools and crafts, and how it affects the ability to control and adapt to the environment.
The human race's use of technology began with the conversion of natural resources into simple tools. Today, it has penetrated every aspect of a human’s life. On one hand, where it has revolutionized and added value to the life of normal human beings, it has proven to be a boon for the differently able.

Technology-Based Instruction: Technology-based instruction or E-learning is simply using technology to deliver training and educational materials.

Quality of Technology-based Instructions

1. Suitability to Users and their Environment - The devices should be compatible with the users’ aspirations, emotional needs, ways of life, culture, and local customs; unobtrusive by local standards, and physically comfortable from users’ perspectives. It should assure user safety, be useful in a variety of situations, and be durable, dependable, and reliable, especially in rural areas, remote areas, and rugged conditions. It must also be compatible with the ground surface and other conditions of the user’s physical environment.

2. Inexpensive and Easy to Purchase - The devices should be low in purchase price. The government and/or NGOs can also support the provision and purchase of the devices, free of charge or at subsidized rates. The devices should be easy and affordable to assemble or produce and maintain so that keeping the devices in working order would require minimal resources and can be repaired with the use of locally available materials and technical skills.

3. Easy-to-Use - The devices should be easily understandable by users with limited exposure to technology, portable (easy to move from one place to another), and easy to operate without prolonged training or complex skills. Depending upon the differential abilities of the learners, and the context and feasibility of the approach, assistive provisions in education can help assist students with disabilities in learning. A collaborative effort in the use of assistive devices, assistive technology, resource room support, and innovative educational strategies to promote and sustain inclusion can support these students to learn at par with their non-disabled peers in inclusive educational settings.

Disability is seen to have more serious consequences for those students who struggle with a 'dually disadvantaged' life amidst additional handicapping conditions besides 'disability,' like poverty, thereby having limited access to rehabilitation services and assistive devices. Trapped in a vicious cycle of exclusion from education, society, and mainstream development programs, without appropriate information, assistive devices, and support services, such students lack the means for equal participation in education and development. The resulting lack of skills is a barrier to meaningful employment opportunities later in life, further perpetuating the cumulative disadvantages. Assistive technology can help in meeting these 'disabling' needs by addressing the 'functional barriers' confronted by individuals with disabilities, including sensory, cognitive, learning, and physical disabilities.