Skype+Acts+As+Conduit+for+Diverse+Learners

__** Skype Acts As Conduit for Diverse Learners to Aid Students with Disabilities **__ Many students with disabilities are often able to adapt their ways of learning with the help of websites and online tools. Many students with disabilities have used Skype to help with their learning disabilities. An organization called, “Diverse Learners,” was developed to help students who have certain types of learning disabilities. The organization is based out of the United Kingdom. The group was developed to help the students within their program with certain skills; all through Skype. Skype enables the students with disabilities the chance to gain skills that they need to be successful in a classroom. Often times, these students have so much anxiety, that they are unable to participate in a regular face to face meetings.Via Skype, the students are taught different things such as, mind mapping, software, text to speech, and speech recognition. Since Skype is all done face to face, the students are not as easily confused or misguided as they are in text format, such as an email. I believe that Skype can be a very excellent tool for teachers of students that have high anxiety or mental health concerns. The students will feel more comfortable if they have social anxiety and a fear of public places. They might be more engaged in the topics rather than disengaged because they are more worried about their surrounding and outside factors.

References: Holly Glover: Skype Acts As Conduit for Diverse Learners to Aid Students with Disabilities http://blogs.skype.com/2013/12/23/skype-acts-as-conduit-for-diverse-learners-to-aid-students-with-disabilities/

Mobility and Skype

Skype is also used to support students with severe mobility or health challenges. There are many options today for connecting homebound students with classrooms so that they can become active participants in discussions, projects, and everyday learning. If a student cannot physically leave home or attend school, they can connect using the Skype app with an iPad, webcam, or computer at home. The picture may even be easily projected onto a larger screen, such as a television or Smartboard. At school, an iPad with a Skype connection is easily moved around from classroom to classroom, and even special programs and recess. The two way communication provided by the Skype, allows for interaction among peers and teachers with a homebound student. The camera and microphone embedded in the iPad make the technology connections simple. This technology allows a student with mobility or health issues to attend class and interact socially with peers. As William Ferriter explains in his article, “Homebound students no longer need to be left out or left behind. With a bit of digital gumption, they can be included in any activity and become a vibrant part of any classroom community.”

My school community uses Skype to allow a homebound student to “attend” school. She has the added complication of not being able to move. She uses a [|__Tobii__]  system that allows her to choose boards to communicate. She chooses the boards with an eye gaze. There are many people that support her with this effort, but without the technology she would be unable to communicate. When she chooses a board, a digital voice “speaks” for her. She is able to ask students questions and respond to students and teachers using her Tobii and connecting with Skype. At school, someone carries the iPad from class to class. We keep it connected during passing time, so other students may wave and interact with the homebound student outside of class.

Skype may be used to connect and include a student that would not otherwise be able to attend school because of mobility and health issues. With a little technology and human support, homebound students are easily included in classroom and social activities.

 "Educational Leadership:Health and Learning:A Digital Bridge ... - ASCD." [|__http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/dec09/vol67/num04/A-Digital-Bridge-to-Homebound-Students.aspx__] . Accessed 1 Mar. 2017.  "Tobii.com - Tobii is the world leader in eye tracking." [|__http://www.tobii.com/__] . Accessed 1 Mar. 2017.  "Eye Control Empowers People with Disabilities - Abilities Expo." [|__http://www.abilities.com/community/assistive_eye-control.html__] . Accessed 1 Mar. 2017.