Technology, I feel, levels the playing field form many disabled students. For some students the task of note taking is more than they can handle. If they have motor problems and find it difficult to write, it is almost impossible to keep up with the notes and maintain cohesive attention with the lecturing instructor. A simple approach is for the instructor (teacher) to provide copies of the notes for students to use, or have a student in class take notes and provide a copy for the student in need. A high-tech approach might be to provide the student with a tape recorder to record the lectures and listen to them during their study time. Laptop or notebook computers can provide high-tech note taking for many students with disabilities. An inexpensive alternative to a full-function portable computer is the portable keyboard, similar to the AlphaSmart. The limitations of these keyboards are in formatting information and a screen display limited to four lines of text.
Computers and technology are a fantastic way to reach more and more of our students. Some benefits of computers and technology are that computers are self-paced; meaning they progress as the child progresses. Computers provide immediate feedback when the child does something correct they are immediately stimulated and rewarded. Computer program can provide representation without pressure; a student maybe embarrassed if his classmates see him working on the same math problems over and over again, but the computer does not judge. The computer is motivating, it motivates the child by constantly challenging and rewarding. Using the computer is an activity that is respected by peers, if a child is reading two grade levels below their classmates they might be intimidated reading a lower leveled book in class, but on the computer the other children wouldn't know or wouldn't care. The last and I feel the most important factor with technology is that it minimizes the effect of the disability, it is through innovative software programs and assistive devices that our disabled students are able to compete with their general education peers.
