Here is a good example of Assignment 8, the Adaptive Devices assignment. Notice how the graphics are well placed and the text is wrapped around them.

Course 330A

Technology in the Classroom

Adaptive Devices Reflection Paper

(Assignment #8)

I started the search by simply going to Yahoo and searching for “Adaptive Devices for Students”. One of the hits that I received brought me to a website that has a great article on it regarding the issue. The website is part of www.peersupportdb.com, and the full site address for the article is www.peersupportdb.com/adaptive-a.html. The article begins with providing the reader with a definition of adaptive technology, and provides resources on where to look for other information (including links).

One of the links led me to Audio Visual Mart, Inc. This company, located at www.av-mart.com, sells adaptive devices, among other products. One of the devices that they sell is called the SmartView (pictured to the left). This device can magnify reading material up to 60 times the actual size. This would be a great assistance to a person who has a visual impairment but is not completely blind.

When I was in grade school, a good friend of mine had to use a device like this for his schooling, but the devices of twenty years ago fail in comparison to the technology of today. I remember him often having to practically lay his head on the paper on the table in order to read any printed material. What a benefit it is for this updated technology to be available to this generation of students.

In addition to adaptive devices, there are also some great technology enhanced learning tools available for students. I found one of these items at www.4access.com. That is the website for AccessAbility, Inc., which is a distributor of adaptive devices.

One really neat learning tool I found that would be perfect for the classroom is the Odyssey Tactile Talking Globe. This is great learning tool for blind or visually impaired students as it provides information through speech once an area of the globe is touched. In addition, the control panel has Braille and large characters for easy navigation. The globe also has different textures for the water, landmasses and the mountainous regions, making everything easier to identify.

I also wanted to see what adaptive devises were available for situations other than visual problems. That is when I located the HITEC Corporation website at www.hitec.com. HITEC is a distributor for many different devices for people with special needs. One that I found particularly interesting is a device that is used in the school setting to help correct stuttering.

The device is called a DAF (Delayed Auditory Feedback), and it is said to reduce stuttering on average of 75-80%. The DAF delays the voice from reaching the ears by a fraction of a second. A short delay, about 50 milliseconds, is effective in treating stuttering at both slow and rapid talking rates. This is pretty interesting stuff.