Low-Tech Tools in Special Education
Posted by Denis Soukhanov on Mon, Mar 01, 2010
Article by Laura Ketcham
Technology is typically perceived as electronics or machines; however, technology actually includes the application of science to create inventions and advancements that assist in making tasks more effective or 'easier.' This means that technology can also be considered low-tech tools. In
special education there are many low-tech tools that can help students reach their learning potential by making tasks easier to accomplish.
Specialty Pencils & Pencil Grips
Sometimes traditional pencils are not the tool of choice when taking notes or completing assignments because of their size, material, or lead hardness. There are so many different alternatives to the standard number 2 wooden pencil that may be a better option for some students.
Students with grip disorders, caused by a wide variety of different health and mental disabilities, may benefit and write more comfortably when taking notes and completing assignments with non-traditional pencils. Primary pencils can allow students to have a better grip on their pencils. The larger size, softer lead, and ability to write clearly without a very sharp edge, make these pencils a high-quality alternative. If a student is having difficulty applying enough pressure to a pencil to have the lead mark dark enough to read, then pencil weights are an easily attachable device. This allows for increased pressure of the pencil lead to the paper. If you have a classroom where desks may be slanted or pencils easily roll off, triangular pencils (also available in primary style) can be used. These pencils are not round, but are made with three distinct edges, like a triangle, so they do not roll off the desk. Another added benefit is that they may assist students in gripping the pencil correctly.
In addition to specialty pencils, pencil grips, may make writing easier for special education students. There are several different types of pencil grips. Pencil grips
can soften the texture of a pencil, or assist a student in holding the pencil correctly. One specific type of pencil grip, referred to as the C.L.A.W., aids students to learn to hold their pencil correctly. Learning this skill can be overlooked by many teachers, but is an important skill and helps to improve handwriting effectiveness and speed.
Highlighters & Highlighter Strips
Highlighters
can be a valuable assistive device that can make learning more accessible for special education students. Highlighting is a technique that, if taught properly, can assist students with staying organized and comprehending written material. One way that I have encouraged the use of highlighters is to color code items in homework agendas. One color would stand for homework, another for test and quiz dates, another color for study or review, and another color for other necessary notes.
Highlighters can also be used in reading. Using different colors of highlighters, students can come up with a system of highlighting key vocabulary, main ideas, and other important text. This can assist the student when going back to read the text over again in preparation for assessments. One idea to keep in mind is that, while teaching this strategy in class, students may not be able to use highlighters on standardized tests. If this is the case, make sure that you help students transition to using a pencil to underline and circle key facts during these tests.
Highlighter strips are an overlay that is placed on top of written text. This strip allows the student to focus on the line that is currently being read. This low-tech tool assists students with comprehension difficulties, dyslexia or other vision impairments.
Post-its & Mailing Labels
Today, post-its come in so many different sizes, styles and colors. The possibilities of using post-its in special education classrooms are endless. The large post-its can be used for brainstorming ideas in small group sessions. The small post-its can be used to write down information that students don't want to forget or for labeling centers and activities in your classroom. The flag post-its can be used by students to mark the areas of a text they do not understand or to mark their location in a text. Standard-sized post-its can be used to write notes for parents to check and read in a student homework agenda. Post-its also come in sticky sentence strip forms. They are also great tools to use in different classroom review games.
Pre-printed mailing labels are an unlikely, but useful. low-tech tool for the classroom. Students can have pre-printed labels with their name and basic class information. This way the students can just place labels on their assignments and tests, rather than writing it on every assignment. This can help to save a lot of time in class. They can also be used to label students' belongings so that they can find their materials and books easily and not have them confused with another student.
There are many more low-tech tools that can help to make learning more accessible to your students. Check out the links below for more low-tech tools for your students.
Low-Tech Tool Sites
University at Buffalo: Assistive Technology Project
Assistive Technology Toolbox
Family Guide to Assistive Technology