How Assistive Technology Levels the Playing Field
How Assistive Technology Levels the Playing Field
Jennifer Topple, Assistant Head for Research and Academics
Traditional classrooms are tough on students with language-based learning differences. Tasks like reading instructions, writing an essay or taking notes during a presentation can become a barrier to learning. Students get frustrated, and teachers and parents don't get to see their full potential.
Luckily, advances in technology are breaking down these barriers. The Howard School is pioneering assistive technology to open new possibilities for students. We see daily how assistive technology:
- Allows all students to access grade-level material
- Supports individualized learning
- Encourages independence and self-advocacy
- Boosts self-esteem
- Fosters collaboration and peer learning
A Tradition of Innovation
The Howard School has been a leader in educational technology since the early 2000s, when we began piloting the use of assistive tools for our students.
We started with a pilot program investigating the benefits of text-to-speech software for students who were struggling with reading. At the time, few schools had embraced this technology, and some parents and educators were concerned that it would create a "crutch" that would prevent students from learning to read.
Our pilot program found the opposite is true. Students with decoding challenges were able to use text-to-speech software to access grade-level content. That made reading more enjoyable. The more time they spent accessing material independently, the more their vocabulary grew and the more they learned. Soon, their ability to read without the software improved too.
Technology Today
Today, nearly half of all students at The Howard School use text-to-speech tools. But our use of assistive technology doesn't stop there.
Most of our students use assistive technology to support their writing. Built-in word prediction, spelling support, and the use of voice recognition, or speech-to-text, software help students with graphomotor, processing or extreme spelling challenges turn their ideas into written form, allowing teachers to assess what they know. And starting in eighth grade, our students can use a note-taking support tool called Genio to help them document information as part of their studying and learning process.
We also use technology to give students information in as many formats as possible to reduce barriers caused by their learning differences. For example, teachers provide worksheets, textbooks and supplemental texts in both paper and electronic format, making them accessible through text-to-speech software. Students who qualify also have access to a library of audiobooks, ebooks and other reading resources.
Offering Support
One of the keys to assistive technology support is helping students, teachers and parents learn how to use the tools correctly. Our assistive and instructional technology specialists make sure that students are accessing technology at the right age and skill level, and they are available whenever someone needs help. This commitment helps maximize the benefits technology can provide.
Every middle and high school student has a school laptop, and iPads and other devices are available as needed throughout the lower school. By normalizing the use of technology for all students, our classrooms eliminate stigma, ensuring that assistive technology feels like a natural part of everyday learning.
The Howard School Commitment
Assistive technology for students with language-based learning differences continues to evolve, and The Howard School is proud to remain at the forefront of innovation.
Our students are even helping design the next generation of assistive technology. Researchers and developers seek out our feedback, and Howard School students have provided input for such tools as Read & Write, BuddyBooks, and Orton, an AI platform tailored to their learning needs.
If you’d like to explore how our groundbreaking approach to technology could benefit your child, we invite you to visit The Howard School and see the difference firsthand.
The Howard School is a private K-12 school in Atlanta serving students with one or more of the following learning differences: dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, expressive language disorder, receptive language disorder, auditory processing disorder, executive functioning challenges and attention deficit disorder.
To learn more about whether The Howard School is a good fit for your child, complete our inquiry form. Our team will reach out to connect with you and schedule a guided tour of campus.
