Matching AT to the User—Class 5

My group began the class with our presentation about apps for LD students, and then Barb gave her presentation about matching AT to the user.  It turns out that Angela inadvertently did a great job of linking the two topics by showing the interview with student-athlete who uses his iPad.  Because he is often away from school for sporting competitions, he uses the technology to help keep up with schoolwork.  That’s a good example of matching the student with the right device!

The discussion focused on the idea that “everything changes”, including the student, milieu, task, and technology, means we need to always be checking and ensuring that the technology is best serving our students.  Something that was effective in January might need to be changed to work best in April.  It also means we need to accept that the way of past should not necessarily be the way of the future.  For example, rather than outlawing mobile devices during class time, teachers should embrace them and teach students to use them appropriately as assistive devices for learning.  BYOD for a better education.  Alexander Graham Bell and Steve Jobs would be happy to see people looking forward to new possibilities rather than wishing to continue past practices.

 

 

Finally, I found the cost comparison of all the individual pieces of technology used to support students in the past with the iPad to be a great argument for making more use of the mobile device in schools!