Jessica Pauselius

EDTC625 Assistive Technology Case Study

Recommendation for hardware and software

I would recommend to the principal the school purchase a USB drive and the

Clicker6 software for special needs student. Sharp (2005) categorizes a USB drive as

small piece of hardware capable of holding up to 4GB of memory (p.57). Students

would benefit from having a USB drive as they could save personal files to edit anytime

they are at a computer. This would provide students with extended time beyond the

classroom to complete assignments. Extended time is a common accommodation on

Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). A student with dyslexia and Attention Deficit

Disorder (ADD) is going to need time outside of the general education classroom to

master the curriculum.

Clicker6 is a software that supports students who have difficulties with written

language in the elementary and middle schools (HIAT, 2011; Crick Software, 2012).

Clicker6 allows students and teachers to create word banks that can be developed into

sentences. Within the word banks, pictures and sounds are attached to each word. In

addition, the software automatically reads sentences to students as they are created

(Crick Software, 2012). While the software clearly supports a student with dyslexia, it

also supports students with ADD as the software is engaging, providing the student with

multiple multi-media options to engage with.

Advice to the student's key academic faculty

A USB Drive and the Clicker6 software can be used in any content area. Grade

level teams should decide on one content area to introduce and model how to use the

software. In this same content area, student should be given at least one class period

to practice using the software (HIAT, 2009). Prior to using Clicker6 in a lesson,
 Jessica Pauselius
EDTC625 Assistive Technology Case Study

teachers need to determine the key vocabulary students should master. They will use

this when developing the word bank. In addition, all students should be provided a

paper copy of the word bank to refer to when not on a computer to reinforce vocabulary

(HIAT, 2009).

Recommendation for funding

There are several resources for funding the recommendations for hardware and

software. To provide students with a USB drive, we can request support from the PTSA

in contacting a local business. Many businesses provide their employees with USB

drives and would be willing to donate some for the use of our Special Education

students. Funding for the software could come from several places. The first option

would be to request funds from the countys Title II (Enhancing Education Through

Technology) grant (MCPS, 2012). We could also make the argument this software

would support English Language Learners, thereby giving us purpose in asking for

funds from the countys Title III funds (MCPS, 2012). The Council for Exceptional

Children (2011) offers a database with a variety of grants we could apply for to fund this

initiative. Finally, as this is a software all students could use. The PTSA may be willing

to support with funding, or communicate with local businesses to support us.

References:
Council for Exceptional Children. (2011). Grants/Funding information. Retrieved
October 23, 2012 from:
http://www.cec.sped.org/Content/NavigationMenu/ProfessionalDevelopment/Car
eerCenter/FinancialAid/
Crick Software. (2012). Clicker 6 educational software, literacy software, reading and
writing support. Retrieved October 23, 2012 from:
http://www.cricksoft.com/us/products/tools/clicker/home.aspx
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EDTC625 Assistive Technology Case Study

High Incidence Accessible Technology (HIAT). (2011). UDL tool finder. Retrieved
October 23, 2012 from:
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/hiat/toolfinder/
High Incidence Accessible Technology (HIAT). (2009). AT roadmap - Clicker 5 in the
classroom. Retrieved October 23, 2012 from:
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/hiat/tech_quick_guides/Road
mapClicker.pdf
Sharp, V. (2005). Computer education for teachers: Integrating technology into
classroom teaching, fifth edition. Boston, MA: McGraw Hill.