About a year and a half ago, I put together with my publisher a DVD and video called AT: A Way to Differentiate Instruction for Students with Disabilities that looked at common assistive technologies that could is being used in schools today. I had the opportunity to work closely with two schools, a special education school and a public school that had embraced the use of assistive technology. My vision for the video was to show educators just what is happening in schools today with regard to these technologies and how they could begin to develop their own programs within their schools. It was exciting to be able to film students, teachers and administrators talking about a wide range of technologies that they were using in the classroom. Capturing students testimonials was one of the best parts of the production process. To hear first hand how tools like the Alphasmart, WYNN, Smarthboards, Inspiration and Co:Writer were helping students to access the curriculum was heart warming. It was my hope that after listening and seeing the students talk about these technologies that other educators will begin to explore using these assistive technologies in their schools. In the video we also had a chance to interview administrators and ask them what a difference the tools made for their students. Their responses were very eye opening and talks to the whole issue of school leadership in supporting students with disabilities with the necessary technology supports. The video is a great tool for undergraduate and graduate classes in assistive technology as well as for staff development. Let me know what you think.
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