The+iPad+as+Assistive+Technology+for+Students+with+Vision+Impairments

The iPad is a fantastic resource for students who have vision impairments. It has been evaluated by both Vision Australia (2010) and the Sydney Catholic Education Office (2010) with positive results.

The iPad contains many features that would be beneficial for students with vision impairments in the classroom. Firstly it has VoiceOver, a feature that provides a voice to tell the user where the different icons on the iPad touch screen are. It also explains what each icon on the iPad in used for. This can be turned on and off as necessary. The iPad also contains text-to-speech, and will read out ebooks, documents, emails and other forms of text as needed.

For those students who prefer to use magnification, the iPad contains Zoom. This allows the user make things on the screen five times larger. The user can also adjust the brightness, as well as change text to white on black as necessary. The simple layout of the iPad, with icons larger and more spaced out than other Apple products, makes the iPad easy to navigate.

In terms of education, books used in the classroom can be uploaded onto the student’s iPad. The student can then change the font and text size to suit their needs. Teachers also have the option of sending assignments to the student’s iPad. Lastly, the iPad can be used as a drawing device, as well as an easy to use note-taker when a keyboard dock is attached.

References:

Stephen Cordwell 2010, Sydney Catholic Education Office, Sydney, viewed 28th June 2011, [|]

Vision Australia 2010, Vision Australia, viewed 27th June 2011, [|]


 * __iPad Gives Voice to the Autistic__**

[] As stated above, the use of iPads for students with visual limitations can be very helpful and productive. Another use of the iPad for students or people with special needs is the Proloquo2Go App. This App can be used by people that have difficulties talking, people with Autism, Down syndrome etc. The App allows individuals to press the icon on the iPad or iPhone screen that best describes what the individual would like to say. The pre-recorded voice is then read out through the devices speakers. This video briefly describes how the App is used, who can use it, and where it's heading in the future.

Although the app is very useful and could be used by a range people for a range of things, the individual will need to capable of using an iPad and know how to navigate their way around the iPad and the App. In saying that it can also be a good way to integrate technology into the learning of students with special needs or learning difficulties.

References:

AssistiveWare 2010, Proloquo2Go, accessed 19th July 2011, []