Technology is a major component of our lives; used daily at home, work, and school.  Knowledgeable use of technology creates opportunities for students to live easier, faster, and smarter lives.  We can help our students by learning about, and teaching appropriate use of, technology.  T-TAC ODU asked our specialists to comment on the technology tools that they find helpful for learning. Consider updating your technology toolbox with the following suggestions:

• There are many ways to use technology to support student behavior in classrooms and schools.  Check out the T-TAC ODU Behavior Page for technology tools that you can use to provide immediate instructional feedback to students, teach self-monitoring, support behavioral instruction, and collect and share data to inform decision making in schools.
• Technology can give a voice to students who have limited or no verbal communication, but where to start?  Visit Virginia’s Assistive Technology Network for a step-by-step process.  You can also browse a list of voice output devices available from the T-TAC ODU lending library.  If your student already has a device, help him or her put it to great use with 101+ Ideas for Using Single Message Communication Devices.
• Not all assistive technology involves computers, tablets, or software.  You have potential low-tech solutions all around your classroom.  Highlighters, three ring binders, rulers, magnets, and many other “every day” items can be used to support students.  Boston Public Schools and e-Parent offer a number of low-tech ideas.
• Many students, including some children with autism, are visual learners.  Technology can provide a fun learning platform and a voice for children who struggle to communicate on their own. Through the use of apps that teach children with autism, language and communication are finally within grasp!
• Manipulatives are powerful tools in the mathematics classroom. Virtual manipulatives can be used as a part of the Concrete-Representational-Abstract (C-R-A) learning cycle to promote conceptual understanding.
• The Cult of Pedagogy blog highlights 6 Ed Tech Tools in a recent post.  You can listen to the podcast, view demonstrations, and read additional information about a given topic.  You will also find technology tools to manage assignments, create e-books, and curate information.
• Check out T-TAC ODU’s Assistive Technology Page to download a comprehensive Tech Tools for Education guide that reviews devices and strategies on assistive technology.

View the full April/May T-TAC ODU E-News.