EDU 620 Assistive Technology Interview

Assistive Technology Interview

In order to gather detailed understanding of assistive technology (AT), I conducted a phone interview with a speech language pathologist, Martin James. Using his knowledge of speech and language, she works as an AT consultant who works at Sylvan Therapy Center. Having worked previously for over 15 years in school setting, he has important knowledge on the needs of the special students. He is currently consulting for the center with the aim of assisting the special education teachers in acquiring the necessary skills to handle special students. His area of specialization is assisting teams with communication needs, particularly those handling autistic students. The consultant argues that autistic children require specialized learning instructions. According to James, communication difficulties make it problematic for the kids in their interactions and expressions. At the moment, he is handling 12 autistic children who have been undergoing intensive training in speech and language. He works with a team of three teachers who handle the kids.

Assistive technology offers hope to students with difficulties in attaining knowledge through the normal learning instructions. James agreed that assistive technology for autistic students offers a significant platform for training and ensuring the educational progression of these needy kids (Kim & Parette, 2009). The approach helps the learners in attaining the relevant knowledge that improves their speech and language skills. However, the learning instructions in such a setting are conveyed using technology devices. For autistic students, James explained that they use enabling devices such as GoTalk Pocket , MyVoice, and SmartEdPad, among others.

These devices have special applications designed for use by the autistic students. With the teachers' assistance, the students can get the required instructions that improve their speech and language. It makes the attainment of knowledge more efficient, dear, and interesting for the needy students. From the information gathered throughout the interview, I have gained essential information and knowledge about assistive technology that will guide me through my profession. In particular, it will instrumental in promoting the use of AT when giving learning instructions to the needy students (Wendt, Quist, & Lloyd, 2011). Satisfaction is achievable using elaborate techniques and learning approaches. Various policy guidelines and measures that can be used by educational administrators in facilitating the achievement of the educational outcomes for the needy students have been developed. Assistive technology provides learner identities that are essential for the academic development of kids with disabilities. Learner identity has a significant impact on the way they associate with formal and informal education. They provide a platform to adjust and respond to educational systems and experiences. Please take a minute out to view this video explaining more about GoTalk Pocket https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIoAfacbvi0.

According to James, assistive technology offers distinct and wide varieties of devices for use by individuals depending on their needs. In order to ensure the products are available for all people across economic divide, the devices come in different forms and shapes. Instructional technology is not a mean obligation. It requires detailed understanding the teachers should have prior understanding of how to use the devices as well as understand the needs of the students. The instructional technology needs to be elaborately aligned with the lesson plan. Teachers need to have basic teaching skills, as well as skills in instructional technology. James observed the need for the teachers too can adjust and attain a more integrated perspective. The primary goal of acquisition of education is that students should be able to make their interpretations instead of following up on the feelings, beliefs, judgments and purposes of others. Such instructional initiatives should aim at enhancing the strengths of a learner as opposed to training him or her on overcoming difficulties. It also provides to the teachers to understand the extent of intense learning, and the change that learners go through at different levels of their learning. With the increased growth in technology, it is expected that new, cheaper and better devices will be developed for purposes of assistive technology.

Interview Questions

1. As you begin this interview, can you give me a highlight of your involvement in the instructional technology?
2. What is the significance of assistive technology in promoting learning instructions to the needy students?
3. In your profession, what do you think are the priority areas to consider when integrating assistive technology into a lesson plan?
4. Who are the main stakeholders that you serve?
5. What form of training does one need to undertake before he or she can fully attend to students with special needs?
6. Due to diverse economic backgrounds, what policies do you think should put in place to ensure all students are served?
7. What are the challenges facing the integration of assistive technology into class work?
8. Autistic students are some of the students who need the technology resources to improve their speech and language skills. Which devices can help them in attending to their needs?
9. As a consultant, is it advisable to have universal standards that guide the use of assistive technology?
10. What should be the necessary skills for a teacher intending to be part of trainers for the needy students?

References

Kim, S.-C., & Parette, H. P. (2009). Assistive technology outcomes and benefits: assistive technology and autism spectrum disorders: researched-based practice & innovation in the field. Illinois: Joint publication of the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) and the Special Education Assistive Technology (SEAT) Center.

Wendt, O., Quist, R. W., & Lloyd, L. L. (2011). Assistive technology: principles and applications for communication disorders and special education. United Kingdom: Emerald.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIoAfacbvi0