Technology & Special Needs Students

Summary:
The article, Technology and the Writing Skills of Students with Learning Disabilities, is about how students with disabilities can benefit from technology in the classroom especially students with writing difficulties. Where students with disabilities can typically feel held back or self conscious about writing, word processors can help them to express themselves. Technology isn’t necessarily for improving writing skills. Rather, it is used to encourage disabled students to write. Instead of having a negative experience with writing on paper, students can have a more positive experience by using a word processer as it is much less strenuous. Furthermore, the computer program Robo-Writer was designed to help students with learning disabilities and that are performing below their peers or below grade level. In conclusion, computers encourage writing for students who find it challenging.

My Thoughts:
I can see that there can be many benefits of technology for students with disabilities, especially when it comes to writing tasks. This way, writing will not keep students from expressing themselves through writing. Not only will computers aid where students are lacking mechanically, but also there are plenty of computer programs that are designed to make writing seem fun while practicing and learning. I believe that all students can benefit from using computers. Even ‘gifted’ students would be able to use a computer program that is set at a level to challenge them , so that they can continue to learn.

References:
Zhang, Y. (2000, Summer2000). Technology and the Writing Skills of Students with Learning Disabilities. Journal of Research on Computing in Education, 32(4), 467. Retrieved April 27, 2009, from Academic Search Complete database.