IMPLEMENTATION OF ASSISTIVE COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY:

The use of AT in the classroom can be a rather intimidating scenario for a teacher who has done things a certain way for an extended period of time. However, the use of AT is a very valuable tool when used properly by a student with a disability or disorder.

When I read the article IMPLEMENTATION OF ASSISTIVE COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY: A MODEL FOR SCHOOL SYSTEMS (Morrison,  2007) it was an eye opening experience about why using assistive computer technology is important but ,also, how it can also be misused.

The biggest reason ACT is used inappropriately is due to the fact that the teacher does not buy into the plan. The article talks about the fact that some teachers become uncomfortable when using new technology. The use of ACT fails quite often if the teacher is forced to change his or her teaching style. If the new philosophy does not gel with prior pedagogical techniques the teacher is likely to dismiss ACT altogether or use it in a manner that does not assist its prime user. 

Teachers’ comfort level with ACT is closely related to training issues. Lack of training is a commonly cited barrier for effective ACT use. Leadersip at both the board and school level need to provide the training hours to make a jump like this possible for some teachers.

Teachers attitudes are the most important issues in creating a successful ACT environment. Training can only take a teacher so far if the intentions are to merely discard the newly found professional development to begin with. For those willing to utilize the medium of ACT within the classroom, certain barriers need to be breeched. A challenge for educators is finding personnel who are qualified to complete ACT assessment and make technology recommendations. The pace of developments in ACT is rapidly changing and keeping up with all the new advances can be very difficult.

It is important for students, teachers, and stakeholders to work together to make ACT work. Leadership must find ways to have their teachers trained in proper uses of ACT as it relates to the student using the device. Using the device for the sake of using the device is not a useful aid within the classroom. The reduction of student anxiety creates a supportive enviroment that allows for student growth and performance. On the other hand, if the educator in the room does not encourage the use use of ACT the plan will fail. Teachers need to lean outside their comfort zone to create a setting of acquire learning. 

Other available links for uses of ACT.

www.icdri.org/CynthisW/SL507overview.html

http://sweb.uky.edu/~jszaba0/JoyZabala.html

www.cenmi.org/matr