How Technology Benefits Learning

Assistive technology is an umbrella term that, depending on the child and their needs, may refer to a number of things:

• Laptop or desktop computers
• Tablets or touch screens
• Adapted keyboards
• Various software
• Text-to-speech tools
• Pen scanners

Having access to assistive technology at school can make a huge difference for children with special needs. By helping them overcome difficulties in reading, writing, math, and other areas, these tools allow students to fully participate in class. More specifically, they are designed to assist with the following:

• Communicating through writing
• Deciphering text
• Organizing and structuring information
• Carrying out mathematical, scientific, or technological tasks

Students with a reading- or writing-related disability can benefit from using certain specialized software. Here are a few common examples:

• Word prediction tools (e.g., WordQ, Lexibar) suggest words as the user types.
• Spell checkers (e.g., Antidote, SpellCheckPlus) encourage students to double-check their spelling.
• Text-to-speech software (e.g., Acapela, WordQ, Lexibar) converts text into synthetic speech. It can be used for reading and other tasks.

Spreadsheets, calculators, and special software can be great for students with dyscalculia. Another handy tool is the talking calculator, which reads out calculations.

Some students struggle to put their ideas in order. Helpful aids include the following:

• Diagram tools (e.g., Lucidchart, Mindomo) let the user turn ideas, topics, and concepts into graphs, making information easier to understand and review.
• Pen scanners (e.g., C-PEN ReaderPen, Echo smartpen) make handwritten notes easier to read by converting them into digital text.