Assisting Students with Diverse Learning Styles

Low Tech to High Tech Devices

Assistive technology is not just the electronics or high tech computers with all the bells and whistles. Low-tech supports can also be incorporated for students with disabilities. As teachers, parents and support staff we need to match students with the proper supports that will help them in the classroom and with online assessments. In fact, assistive technology can be viewed as a spectrum, from low, to mid, to high tech. Below is just a sample of some low, mid, and high tech assistive technologies. 

Low Tech Mid Tech Tools <High Tech Tools
Pencil Grips Digital Recorders Communication Devices
Reading/Writing Guides Audio Books Alternative Keyboard
Magnifiers Specialized Switches Word Prediction
Speech to Text
Software

Judith Sweeney , Onion Mountain Technology The Assistive Technology Continuum,1998

Technology is not always necessary to make accommodations for students and easier to administer. There are several 'no tech' options such as :

  • would be extended time
  • asking for clarification or restating on a test or assignment
  • seating in the classroom, and positioning.