Technology transforms learning in special education classrooms

By Anya Tikka
MILFORD — A boxful of sample devices went around the table as Mary Olsen explained how they're transforming learning for special education students.
“A kid with disability can use it with amazing speed,” said Olsen, special education assistant, as she demonstrated for the Delaware Valley school board. “One girl knows how to scroll up and down very fast.”
In today’s digital world, iPads and iPods are put to good use in special education classrooms, where students touch images to generate conversations. Some 300 apps are loaded onto the kid-friendly devices at DV.
Teachers use "anything that increases sensory input,” such as speech-to-text software, adapted switches, augmentative communication devices, and motorized wheelchairs, said Olsen.
Special Education Director Maria Farrell said assistive technology helps maintain or improve functioning for children with disabilities. It might be low-tech, like pencil grips and adapted seating, to high-tech, like iPads.
The high-tech devices come with different settings made to work for special education students, such as computers with adaptive keyboards or discs that use touch. Teachers also make use of jellybeans, musical devices, basic boards that work when students press on them, and magnetic frames. Slanted boards stabilize arms so that students can write better.
“We have many, many devices, and a lot of art stuff for elementary school students,” Olsen said. That way, she said, students of different capabilities are well served.
'Students should have a voice'Board president Pam Lutfy praised the program.
“Students should have a voice," she said. "This gives an example of how it helps some kid.”
Farrell said she was pleased these devices are now available in the district.
“They are so useful," she said.
Olsen said 65 students own their own devices. Families may apply for financial help through a Pike County program to buy an iPad. It’s cheaper to buy in bulk, so orders include bundles of 10 or so, she said.
“Each child has a different capability," said the board vice president, Jack O’Leary. "Do you have all the devices here?”
Olsen said almost all special education students have iPads. Farrell said the devices have options that help children of all capabilities, including those with very little or no communication skills.
O’Leary said he knows most of the kids in the program.
“And it’s truly amazing what these can do," he said.
Farrell said teachers see improvement in the children, year after year.
“Our goal is to have the kids out in the community and working," she said. "It’s not always possible, but we’ll get them to the highest level they can function at.”