Week 2: Concuring Limits

This week’s readings were about technology and how it helps us all. iPads and different apps have been helpful to those who have challenges in life. Growing up technology has made my life easier. Although I grew up without facing too many challenges, my life is never dull because of technology. I can easily look up question I have, my friends all call me Ms. Google. I am never bored with a phone full of app, to watch movies, play games, check on my friends and what they are doing. The readings this week really made me appreciate how lucky I am to not have to face challenges, not only do I have no issues with communicating with others verbal and on my own, but I have access to many things that help me express myself. I have access to a keyboard on my phone and laptop, I have a microphone to help type for me just by speaking, and I have Siri who will do anything that I need like write up and a text and address it to whoever I would like.

            iPads are currently used for those who have been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and Autism. This technology is used to help them communicate which is amazing. I was really moved by the one mother who was talking about her son. She was telling the reporter that she always knew he had more to say, but she had no way to unlock his communications skill until the iPads came into their life. It was amazing to see how we can unlock things in people who have been labeled as incapable of accomplishing different tasks.  The young man was able to communicate his thoughts and his feeling, he was able to respond to questions asked directly to help without an translation from his mother or anyone else. It is encouraging that inventions like iPad, and their apps, that we take for granted can be used to help students concur the impossible. I wonder what other apps or technology will be created to help others unlock skills.

            The other take away I got from the resources, is that new technology is not always a one-size-fits-all fix. Although some student with Autism can benefit from an iPad to help with speech, other students may not be as responsive with that technology. For this I think we need to continue to push for new technology. I also found it crazy that some insurance would pay for thousands of dollars for technology, but not a couple hundred for an iPad.  I also looked into one of the webinars on the CTD website. I was looking at the webinar hosted by Sharon Plante, this was super helpful to get different technology that could help with all types of challenges. I could recognize a lot of the programs that she was talking about. Lexia and DreamBox are two programs that we use in school. I thought it would be really cool to work with ClassKick, I would like how free it is to use and how much control you have to see the students working.