Jordan's+Using+Technology+to+Support+All+Learners

 **The importance of Assistive Technologies in the classroom to support learners with special needs:**

Technology can be used to address learners with special needs in many important ways. First, it is imperative to note that without the use of technology, students with special needs would not be able to learn and communicate as effectively. Using extra tools and instruments allows for a connection that may otherwise be lost to these students due to disabilities. A lot of this technology can be used so students can interact with other students in the classroom, as well as ask questions and participate like their peers. Also, and most importantly, it allows for these students to perform and have access to the same curriculum as other students, giving them an equal opportunity at learning and excelling all the same.

An example of a type of assistive technology would be a tool that allowed students who had speech and language disabilities to communicate effectively. This type of technology would be an Augmented Alternative Communication Device. Students who have not developed language skills or who cannot speak with ease would use this type of technology to express thoughts, ideas, questions, and even to communicate with other students and teachers on a social level. It gives students who have trouble communicating an opportunity and a medium to to talk and express what they want to say. Without this type of learning tool, this aspect of their daily lives could be lost or not fully developed; leaving these students at an unfair disadvantage.