Tech Tools to Help Students Overcome Learning Challenges
Who can keep track of all the new tricks your computer, tablet, or phone can do? Who can keep up with all the apps in Google Play or the App Store? When you add tracking new accessibility features on top of teaching children or teens with learning challenges or other special needs, it’s hard.
But there’s some wonderful help available.
Free webinar with Joan L. Green
As I explained last month, Joan L. Green provides more detailed, free, accessible help on assistive technology than anyone I know. Last time I recommended short videos you can download at any time from her site. (Links are at the end of the article.)
But there’s more extensive, thorough help in the free webinars she now gives online. In the latest webinar, “They May Not Know,” Joan explains what accessibility features are available on software and hardware you already own or can get for free. I’ve been watching the first version of the webinar this week.
This webinar was so popular that she’s giving it again. Please go right now and sign up. I’ll break my rule about not putting links in the text of my blog: go here.
This will close fast, since only 100 can sign up. It will be held June 26, 2018. If you cannot watch live, it’s still worth signing up. She’ll send you a link to a video and handouts afterwards.
You’ll want to attend if you can, though, because Joan likes to customize her workshops to the attendees’ needs and questions via the chat feature during the workshop.
Missed that one? Here’s a list of all her events and webinars.
Not convinced? Here’s a small taste of Joan’s expertise, clarity, and generosity: her website offers free instructional videos you can watch now. Try “Five Free Ways to Make Reading Easier.”
Joan Green’s new book
On top of that, Prufrock Press has just released the third edition of her book, Assistive Technology in Special Education: Resources to Support Literacy, Communication, and Learning Differences.
[Knowing how helpful Joan is, I accepted a review copy. I received no other compensation and did not promise to write this blog post. Since I had reviewed the first edition seven years ago, and have attended several of Joan’s webinars and seminars, I knew it would be worth investigation. As I’m reading it and learning more of what Joan’s offering, I decided to blog about it immediately.]
This book is another wonderful resource for parents trying to navigate the world of assistive technology.
What is assistive tech?
On page 2, Joan explains:
Assistive technology devices (also referred to as adaptive technology) refer to any “item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities” (Assistive Technology Act of 2004, § 3.4).
Being informed about assistive technology can make a big difference for you and your child.
Why another book?
Technology changes so fast that you may wonder, as I did, why you need a book for this topic. Wouldn’t the webinars be more helpful? Joan’s webinars are great, but the book gives you a framework for thinking about assistive technology, and answers more questions than Joan can get to in an hour. Plus, it’s easier to flip and search through than an webinar.
As Joan explains in the preface, the book is valuable because:
- It helps you know where to begin to look and what kinds of help to look for.
- Prior solutions may no longer work, and many new features that were costly in apps before are now free.
- Having a book to consult will help you save time finding solutions.
- Technology has improved in the seven years since the first edition.
- More online support is available, so more families can use these tools without needing a local expert.
Having just watched her webinar, I can see that both the book and the video are helpful. I would want both if I were trying to help a student with learning challenges. The book provides more depth, and the videos show you exactly how to use various software tools.
What’s in the book?
Joan writes clearly, avoiding unnecessary jargon. She does not assume her readers have great technical expertise. The book is also well organized. In this third edition of Assistive Technology in Special Education, you will find these fifteen chapters:
- Getting Started with Assistive Technology
- The Benefits of Assistive Technology
- Lifting the Barriers: Technology and Access
- Technology and Strategies to Improve Verbal Expression
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Devices, Apps, and More
- Technology and Strategies to Improve Auditory Comprehension and Receptive Language
- Technology and Strategies to Improve Reading Comprehension
- Drill-and-Practice Technology to Improve Reading Skills
- Technology and Strategies to Improve Written Expression
- Drill-and-Practice Technology to Improve Writing Skills
- Technology and Strategies to Improve Attention, Cognition, and Executive Function
- Tools and Strategies to Support Learning New Information
- Online Organization and Collaboration
- Interactive Programs to Practice Cognitive Skills
- Final Thoughts: Keeping Students Safe and Preparing for the Future
My recommendations
As you can tell, I think this book and Joan’s other resources are valuable. Here’s what I’d suggest you do:
- Sign up for the free webinar.
- Buy and read the book.
- Watch the free webinars.
- Sign up for Joan’s mailing list and Facebook group so you don’t miss any upcoming free webinars. Joan plans to provide more in-depth help through paid online courses. That’s another reason to join her list and Facebook group.
- Need more help? Hire Joan for a private consultation. She’s a bargain hunter in the world of assistive tech, and she is adept at finding the best hardware and software for your family member. She also loves homeschoolers.
Resources and links
- Buy the new third edition of Assistive Technology in Special Education on Amazon, print or Kindle editions
- Joan’s website, Innovative Speech Therapy.
- Joan’s Facebook group.
- More about Joan on my blog.
