EdTech: What is assistive technology?
This module explores the range of accessibility assistance, from common mainstream software, apps and tools, through to the specialist or bespoke technology for complex individual needs, and its implications for teaching and learning practice.
Aim
This module shows you how what assistive technology is and the role it plays in lowering barriers to learning for its users.
Objective
After completing this module you will be able to:
- Describe the affordances and requirements of the main forms of assistive technology
- Adjust or supplement your teaching and learning practice and resources to support users of assistive technology
Digital Teaching Professional Framework
This module covers the EdTech component - F1 : Accessibility
- Provide equitable access to appropriate digital technologies and resources, e.g. ensuring that all learners have access to the digital technologies used.
- Select and use digital strategies which respond to the learner's digital context, e.g. contextual constraints to their technology use (e.g. availability, institutional restrictions - offender learning, work based learning), competences, expectations, attitudes, misconceptions and misuses.
- Use digital technologies and strategies, e.g. assistive technologies, designed for learners' in need of special support (e.g. learners with physical or mental constraints; learners with learning disorders).
- Consider and respond to potential accessibility issues when selecting, modifying or creating digital resources and to provide alternative or compensatory tools or approaches for learners with special needs.
- Use design principles for increasing accessibility for the resources and digital environments used in teaching.
- Continuously monitor and reflect on the suitability of the measures implemented to improve accessibility and adapt strategies accordingly.
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Feedback about this module
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We greatly appreciate the time taken to provide us with feedback on each module. We regularly review all the feedback provided and use it to inform the development of new modules. Subject to funds being available and other constraints, we will amend existing modules where feedback shows this is required.Feedback from other members about this module
many good points made
I will certainly look to introduce low level technology to encourage all participants to understand differentiation opportunities.
Handy learning curve.
when set up and used correctly, technology is awesome,
i have used accessibility options for myself and learners for a long time up picked up some new tips. At great introduction and guidance.
No learner likes to be defined as different due to a lack of something and that is the key to being inclusive and assistive , presenting learning as options to be achieved,
Provides interesting ways to support disadvantaged learners
I've got a badge, yaaa! but I still don't like it. There is WAY too much content on each page. Very Confusing to use.
All these training units could be condensed and into one training course instead of having all these separate units.
Good content but again the question seem to be slightly removed from the content of the lesson.
Different ways to use technology.
Superb!
Useful information
A base introduction with a batch of additional resources to research further. Great to see promotion of assistive technology for all so that SEND learners don't appear singled out
Interesting unit and highlights the ability of assistive technology to aid teaching in a personalised student centred manor
Useful video but questions are slightly misleading, where linked to industry specific learning benefits
Good ideas to help learners that would not normally be able to access the information through traditional channels
I have an interest in adult learners with LDDs so listening to the learners as they expressed how they wanted to be treated and included in the design of their learning was great to watch - food for thought. The resources and links at the end of the module were very helpful in confirming what I knew but, more importantly, what I didn't know or hadn't remembered.
good information
Thank you
Excellent resources to enable learners.
Mind blowing! The key notes are really useful but it is the additional links that are so useful. There are literally so many websites dedicated to supporting all learners. but I can from this it can also be overwhelming. It would be super helpful if there were a definitive list for 'starters' to get stated with.
Best thing from this is that assistive technology used well will support everyone and not subconsciously label learners with a disability or learning as ‘different’.
extremely useful resource links
Good
Informative.
Interesting
A good module
Very good to review again
Try to use a range of IT to support learning
More specifics
Very informative in highlighting the range of accessibility assistance possible in learning practices.
Informative and useful.
Great course apart from the you tube video did not work. However I had the option to read the script instead.
Though most standard applications have built in accessibility systems higher level apps can sometimes provide extra benefit, with some learners prepared to pay the prices that may be required.
good course and was particularly interested in learning about the Mercury Reader app in chrome as being able to reduce the ads and clutter to be left with just plain text would be very helpful for some of the autisic students I have worked with as they sometimes find this all very irritating
Useful intro showcasing a range of accessibility tools.
This has shown me how learners needs can be supported by using technology in ways that will show them something, and by keeping them safe and then showing them practically after.
This was a very interesting module and has improved my knowledge
Could the term assistive technology by replaced with something else ( learning technology / digital support)? The term 'assistive' implies a need for help or lesser ability. The module was useful to think about how AT can support learning and the categories presented at the beginning.
Informative
Lots of links at the bottom of this course.
Really good module - but the virtual paint is very old technology now, there has to be better in VR by now?
Its was good
It has made me think more deeply how various methods of assistive technology could benefit a wider audience of learners, aiding reduction of stigma and encouraging inclusion
Not the clearest. Module should maybe be broken down into smaller chunks with micro assessments along the way?
Use assisted technology for all learners
Useful module with great examples, a nice level of detail given and useful resources.
I really like the suggestion to use the Mercury Reader App, an extension for Chrome, removing ads and distractions from web pages. This is so useful for learners with dyslexia, low literacy skills, ESOL learners etc. In fact, I think it's useful for us all, it is so easy to get distracted, so this is a time saving tool too!
Good module but limited assessment of learning
Again, I brilliant resource to remind us about different technology to use for all abilities
Useful information to start journey on learning more about accessibility. Good links for further reading.
Assistive technology is a great way to support students/learners who have a disability whilst developing their skills in a learning environment as it stops them from being treated differently and helps with their learning as they become more engaged in lessons.
Really good information. I have downloaded the transcript and saved all of the links for further resources to look into in more detail. I am looking forward to using some of these assisted technologies with my learners.
Decent enough to explore the basics, and the list of resources does have some useful links.
Some useful ideas so that learners can stop being distracted.
I'm finding that the modules are too short to give any more than a very brief introduction - only really suitable for people who are at a very basic level. Although the links at the bottom are potentially much more useful.
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