Having any kind of impairment can be frustrating and sometimes a disadvantage. But with today's technologies we can give people a helpful hand. I wear contacts that has always been an issue for me. I can't see like some of my friends who have a 20/20 vision. If I didn't have my contacts or glasses on I would be lost. I can see colors but it is very blurry for me and I would get a headache.
I have the new Windows 8 on my computer and have seen lot of the suggestions on the site already. I love the fact I have touch screen on my laptop/ I have a few suggestions is that it seems overly sensitive. I get frustrated at times because if I am doing something the screen will disappear from my page without me touching it. The magnifier on Windows 8 is a great resource and could be useful in the classroom for students who need to see things up closer. In the classrooms today they have the old magnifiers for students use. Not up to date technology.
http://www.sense.org.uk/content/press-release-new-booklet-%E2%80%93-multi-sensory-impaired-children-hospital This a news report from the U.K. I thought it would be nice to read how a different country helps people who have impairments.
http://www.playworks.net/special-needs-toys.html This a website where you can buy special toys for sensory play. I thought this would be great to share because sometimes we have students who need a little extra in the classroom.
I believe it is important to understand that people are just people. We all have something that puts us at a disadvantage but we can overcome it. I am grateful to the experiences I have with students with disabilities. Reading about all the new advances in technology can only help students who really need it. But we shouldn't take away from the human experience either.
The touch screen laptop is interesting, I don't know how I would feel abou it, for the reasons you mentioned. I feel as thought when it comes to writing a paper, I like a regular laptop or computer and I have my iPad for browsing the internet and such.
ReplyDeleteI agree that our schools are not up to date with technology available to students with sensory impairments, and sometimes I don't even know if my students have sensory impairments, such as a visual impairment. Often times I find out months into the school year that one of my students can't see the board and they never said anything.
I too have a touch screen laptop and Love it! I myself have a lack of sensation from my shoulder-blades to my finger tips so the touch screen is actually really beneficial for me because using a mouse pad can be very aggravating and I do not always have my wireless mouse with me. So the touch screen eliminates many of the issues I have had with previous laptops because I can just touch the screen to do what I want to happen, rather than having to watch my hand on the mouse pad and getting frustrated over not being as accurate on a laptop with a mouse pad.
ReplyDeleteI feel as though it is unfortunate that our schools do not have all the up to date technology available to all students. Advancements in technology have made such a difference in our lives but as it continues to change and improve our schools lack the best technologies to help our students. While certain students may gain access to specific technologies to help them with their disabilities, I feel like any student could benefit from some of the newer technologies available but that our schools do not have. Few of my teachers knew about my lack of sensation but had the technology been available to all students then I would not have felt signaled out and would have received the benefits from the advanced technologies.