13-14: Alma TRIG: Classroom Readiness

If you need help with training or problem solving to match the correct tool with individual students, contact your local Assistive Technology Consultant. Michigan’s Integrated Technology Supports (MITS) is the assistive technology state agency that provides supports, training and resources for teachers across the state.  MITS has a list of all the AT consultants for each county in Michigan. Go to the A.T. contact list on the MITS website.

http://mits.cenmi.org/Resources/AssistiveTechnology/ATContactList.aspx

MITS lending Library is an excellent source to try tools for your students. Contacting your Assistive Technology Consultant in your county can help you make a decision on an appropriate the device or software. It is important to be able to use these tools through out the school year so the students will be comfortable when taking online assessments or participating with the curriculum.

MITS is also an excellent resource for teachers, parents, and students for iPad accessibility features.  

An Assistive Technology Consultant will work with a student in a classroom and find a tool to match the student with the classroom. Ultimately the consultant is acting as retrofitter for that one student.

Realistically, the teacher needs to use a variety of strategies and more flexibility in turn leading to more options for many good solutions for multiple individuals. Teachers find themselves addressing multiple issues with many students.  By preplanning, front-loading time to embed technology in the curriculum teachers will help all students better perform to meet the expectations in the classroom.