Technology in the Elementary Classroom

Computers have become an essential literacy tool in our society and that includes classrooms.  Over 76% of American students use a computer at school and 83% use one at home for school assignments/word processing (NCES, 2001).  Computers contribute assistive technologies to the classroom that not only enhance any student’s educational experience but also improve learning for students with special needs and learning disabilities.  Assistive Technologies are the tools and strategies that act to liberate the use of technology for all students as well as to provide new ways to “assist” interactions and learning (Lewis, 1994). In other words they make it easier for teachers and students to do such things as write, communicate, see and read. 

 Computers can make curricular materials (CD textbooks, E-books, websites, webquests etc.) more accessible in faster and easier ways for students with disabilities such as…enlarging the size of the text, changing the color or font of the text, having the text read aloud, hearing labels read of pictures and simulations, speaking into a computer microphone to write, and using alternate input options: trackballs, larger keyboards, touch screens, etc. Students with poor eye sight will benefit from enlarged text on the computer screen, struggling readers can benefit from having the text read aloud to them (and teachers will have more time to work one on one or observe a group), students with poor motor skills can benefit from the opportunity to speak into a microphone to write (converts sound to text) etc. All of these things make it easier for students, and especially special needs students, to improve, reach their utmost potential and succeed in the future. 

Above pictures taken from the following websites

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