Looking for some learning activities for you or your students this summer? Do you want to know more about Assistive Technology (AT)? Do your students need practice with their computer access skills? Support both math activities and computer skills by introducing your students to fun computer games that can be operated using a touch screen or mouse. Support your knowledge of assistive technology by reviewing these resources and webinars.
For Educators:
Considering Assistive Technology is a required part of the IEP Process in Virginia. But are you comfortable with what AT is and how to consider it? The Center for Technology and Disability provides articles and webinars on AT 101 and a Teacher’s View of AT. The VA Department of Education’s AT Network reviews Consideration and Assessment of Assistive Technology.
For Students:
Learning computer access skills can help students (with sensory, cognitive and/or physical disabilities) who may need alternate strategies to hands-on manipulation and hand-written calculations. There are many free websites that are filled with multiple math and numeracy games that can also help make learning computer access skills fun. Math Playground has games listed by grade level and includes self-checking problems. Sheppard Software has a variety of math activities for students needing practice anywhere from foundational skills to mixed operations to geometry to probability. For students who cannot read, some games in the Preschool section will read the information on the screen.
These math activities reinforce touching/clicking on a screen, click and dragging information. Interactive Addition Chart on the Math Playground website encourages click and drag skills. Several Sheppard Software games support moving the cursor and/or clicking on or touching a specific target. There are many games on these two websites that encourage computer access skills while reviewing math skills. Explore to find the best ones for your students. Then share these engaging websites with your students to help them improve their math and computer access skills. They can learn while they are playing.
Resources:
Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia
