Using a New Tool

During out last class, I literally sat in the same chair from 9:30-3:30, getting up once to use the washroom, and experienced 6 hours of stress, self criticism and feeling like I was lagging behind everyone else. I can only imagine what it must be like for some students who experience such stress 5 days a week. Trying to complete a task when you struggle with the language can be exhausting; just as trying to use a piece of assistive technology can be without knowing this language. For assistive technology to be an effective tool for our students we must know all the ins and outs of the tool so that we can answer any and all questions for our students to avoid adding to the stress they already experience. Thus, knowing your student and keeping their needs in mind is essential. Not only do we want to eliminate the stress of navigating a new tool but ensure that the tool itself is appropriate and is used in the most effective way for the student. Kurzweil has many gagets and these can be used in a variety of ways to engage a student; however, for the student I had in mind these gagets could distract rather than engage if his strengths and weaknesses are not considered. It is easy to create bells and whistles, sit back and oo and aw over the impressive show; it is also easy to get caught up in this and overlook specific needs. When these things are considered and are reflected in how the program is used it can aid students in becoming an active reader.