How IT Solutions Are Supporting Special Education in US Schools
The use of Information Technology (IT) has become as common in today’s schools as it is in every other aspect of our daily lives such as personal life, finances, jobs, and several others.
Stack of textbooks are replaced by computers and paper notebooks are replaced by mobile and tablets, all thanks to information technology.
IT solutions have always been designed to make our lives easier, and a domain where the need for technological assistance is even greater is special education.
Special education in US schools is focused on students with different developmental and learning disabilities. Information technology in special education can help disabled students keep up with their peers to the extent possible and prepare themselves for future success.
This blog is all about how IT solutions are transforming special education in US schools, examining their rise, impact, and benefits for students, educators, and parents.
The Rise of IT Solutions in Special Education
The integration of IT solutions in special education has grown significantly over the past few years. Federal initiatives in the US, such as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), have encouraged the use of information technology to improve learning outcomes for all students, including those with disabilities.
Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital tools as schools pivoted to remote and hybrid learning models. From that period to now, the use of IT solutions in special education is exponentially rising and is not going to stop anywhere soon.
In the United States, where over 7.2 million students are served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), IT solutions have become a critical component of special education.
Prominent IT Solutions in Special Education
The application of IT solutions in special education goes beyond mere convenience; it reshapes how students learn, teachers teach, and parents engage. Currently, there are several IT solutions that are being used for supporting special education in US schools. All of them serve different purposes but their ultimate motive is the same– to make learning more accessible, enjoyable, and beneficial for students with disabilities.
Here are some of the prominent IT solutions that are transforming special education in US schools:
Text-to-Speech Apps
Text-to-speech (TTS) apps are specialized mobile applications that make learning easy in special education classrooms by providing students with a way to read written text in a format that is more accessible to them. Such apps can help students who have difficulty reading by converting written text into speech, making it easier for them to understand and engage with educational material.
Some common examples of text-to-speech apps are Voice Dream Reader, NaturalReader, and ClaroRead.
Interactive Boards
Interactive boards, also known as interactive whiteboards, are beneficial in enhancing the learning experience in special education classrooms by offering disabled students an engaging and interactive way to learn. They provide a tactile and visual experience to students with special needs and help them to understand and retain information in a better way.
Examples of interactive whiteboards for special education include ActivInspire, Smart Notebook, and Google Jamboard.
Touch Screen Devices
Touch screen devices have revolutionized learning in special education classrooms by providing special students with a more accessible and intuitive way to interact with technology. These devices are helpful in visual learning, reading, drawing, and watching videos. They can help students with motor impairments to improve their coordination and those with reading disabilities to understand written information.
Smartphones, tablets, and reading devices like Amazon Kindle are some commonly used touchscreen devices in special education classrooms.
Video Conferencing Tools
Video conferencing apps have improved learning in special education classrooms by allowing educators to efficiently share instruction and information virtually with students, irrespective of their geographical location. These tools are especially beneficial for students with physical disabilities, as they allow such students to access education from their homes or other locations as per their comfort.
Some common examples of video conferencing tools that are being used in special education in US schools are Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Skype.
Audiobooks
Audiobooks are proving to be significantly helpful in special education classrooms as they enable students with visual impairments or reading difficulties to access and understand written text in an audio format. Audiobooks make it easier for such students to understand and comprehend educational material, and can also improve their listening and comprehension skills, ultimately improving learning outcomes.
Audible, Libby by OverDrive, Apple Books, Google Play Books, and Hoopla are some common examples of audiobooks used in special education.
Graphic Organizers
Graphic organizers are IT solutions that offer an intriguing and engaging visual representation of information for students. It helps students with learning difficulties in special education classrooms to understand and retain educational material with ease. Graphic organizers break down long and complex concepts into smaller, more manageable chapters, making it easier for students to understand them.
Examples of graphic organizers that are being used in special education classrooms are SimpleMind, Lucidchart, Popplet, Xmind, and Coggle.
Immersive Reader
Immersive Reader is a type of IT tool that offers a variety of features to support students with reading disabilities in special education classrooms. The main feature of the immersive reader tool is that it can read out text loud, which can help students understand and engage with written text more efficiently. This tool offers a wide range of features to support learning.
Some most useful features of Immersive Reader are text-to-speech, line focus, translation, and grammar and pronunciation tools.
Benefits of IT Solutions in Special Education
The key reasons behind the rise of IT solutions in special education in US schools are the extensive benefits that IT offers. Some of IT’s major benefits that extend across the special education ecosystem are as follows:
Improved Accessibility- IT solutions such as text-to-speech and speech-to-text apps have improved the accessibility of education and learning for students with disabilities.
Better Engagement- Interactive technologies such as simulations and games improve the engagement of students with educational activities, making learning more fun and enjoyable.
Efficient Communication- IT solutions are a great source of promoting communication and interaction between students, teachers, and parents. They are highly beneficial for students with speaking or hearing disabilities.
Independent Learning- There are several IT tools and technologies that enable students to learn independently at their own pace, enhancing the effectiveness of the education they receive.
Better Learning Flexibility- IT solutions like video conferencing tools unlock the possibilities of remote learning, providing more flexibility for students and teachers.
Enhanced Collaboration- Information technology can be used to promote collaboration between students, teachers, and parents regardless of their geographical location or socioeconomic background.
The Wrap Up
The role of IT solutions in supporting special education in US schools is undeniably transformative. By breaking down barriers, fostering inclusivity, and enhancing learning experiences, information technology is leveling the playing field for students with special needs.
From assistive devices to immersive technologies, IT solutions are helping educators create an inclusive environment where every student can learn, grow, and succeed.
In the end, the integration of IT solutions in special education is not just about using the new technology; it is about giving every special student a voice, a chance, and the support they need to realize their full potential.
