Monday, July 13, 2009

Assistive Technology

That is a very good topic. If you give a test and the student cannot read the test what you are really testing is their ablilty to read. If you want to test the student on what they know in science then the test should be read to them. I don't know of any programs that you could have the test read to them on a computer but I am sure there is software out there for that. I do know that some of the SOL test are read by the computer now. I know that math could be read by the computer but I don't know about the other subjects. Also, with laws and IEP's some times the test must be read to the student. If it is stated in the IEP that a student should have something by law we have to give them what is stated in the IEP.
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2 comments:

  1. evanskyleJuly 14, 2009 at 9:18 AM

    I too think this is a really important topic. When assessing a student in science you should be measuring their science knowledge, not their ability to read. At the same time you cannot ignore their reading struggles, so you may need to work with other people in your school to help this child. Reading specialists, special education teachers, technology coordinators can all be excellent resources to help you out. Education can be a very isolating profession if you allow it to be. It's ok to realize you are not an expert on all things, which is why schools employ so many different people. Assistive technologies can be the key that makes education a successful part of every students life and as educators we all want our students to be successful learners and people.

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  2. EdnaPJuly 14, 2009 at 10:36 AM

    The mention of the IEP is very important. We should also address the child who has a reading problem, but has not been diagnosed or who parents are against the "labeling". We cannot specifically give this child any extra help that they will not be able to use in SOL testing. All testing conditions must be the same as they have had in class. If they do not have an accommodation for the test to be read to them, we are handicapped (un-PC pun) by those criteria in the class. If we read specifically, one-on-one to them in the class, we are not mimicking the test situation. However, there are many adaptive tools on the test that we can use in the classroom to help them read and help use test their knowledge of science, not reading ability. We can teach them how to eliminate wrong answers, use key words and clues in the questions.

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