Assistive Technology & Inquiry-Based Learning

If your a standard education teacher or a special education teacher, it does not matter, you will come across assistive technology. Especially with today's focus on inclusion and differentiated instruction, students with special needs will more than likely will be present in your classroom for either the entire day or a certain period of time. Learning about different types of assistive technology and how they work is important because if the student doesnt know how to use it, you will need to be able to activate it or attempt to get it to work in order for the students in your classroom to recieve the best education possible. These technological devices allow students to participate in tasks that they were not able to do before or tasks that they previously had difficulty in completing. Keyboards with pictures inplace of keys is a common type of assistive technology. This keyboards can be used independently of a computer or connected. They may spell a word on the computer screen or say the word aloud. If a student is unable to speak they can use a series of keys to communicate what they want/need (communication boards(. Another type of assistive technology is a device that holds a book and turns the page for students. There are also simple adaptive devices such as books with large print, computer screen magnifiers, hearing aids that connect to a microphone that is worn by the teacher and much much much more.
Inquiry-based learning engages students in an active process of learning based upon scientific methods. Students are to create new models that tie into what is learned in calss, they are parallel but using their own knowledge and ideas to make a connection to the real world. This type of learning pulls on prior knowledge encouraging and boosting the self eestem of students. My favorite part of inquiry-based learning is that it makes a connection to the real world, students can reach a deeper level of learning when they connect it to their life experiences.