Physcially+handicapped+students+can+excel+with+podcasts


 * Physically handicapped students can excel with podcasts**

Students who have limited mobility due to a physical handicap are very capable of participating in advanced courses with complex concepts. Podcasting is a tool that could assist their educational experience. Many of these rigorous courses contain material and concepts that are presented in lecture or discussion form. Even with adaptive furniture, keyboards and pointing devices as well as assistive technology devices like on-screen keyboards and graphing calculators, it is still difficult for the students to take the notes and keep up. More and more teachers are using interactive whiteboards that come with a special presentation software package. This software makes it easier to do screen captures and produce quick video podcasts of the important points of the lecture. All students could have access to and benefit from reviewing the podcast. Those with physical disabilities would not have to worry about capturing each detail nor would they have to depend on an aide to document the essence of the lecture, as they would be able to view it again later. When viewing the podcast, students could then produce their own set of notes that would include their thoughts and they could document connections to previous material by using a voice recognition software package.

Students would also be able to produce podcasts. Through the use of various mouse replacement devices like “cameramouse”, joysticks, “EyeWriter”, voice recognition, etc. students would be able to create podcasts allowing them to communicate and share their thoughts and ideas. Homework responses, essay questions, and papers where understanding of content was being assessed, podcasts could be produced. Unfortunately, the physically handicapped will still run into some barriers, especially with higher-level math and science courses. First, some of the math and science websites are very graphical as the many symbols are images. Consequently, screen readers have difficulty with these sites. Second, mathematical and scientific notation is essential in communicating the concepts; yet, it this is still very cumbersome with technology. Software packages are making strides and tablets are beginning to become more popular and helpful in displaying and capturing mathematical work. Unfortunately, we still have a long way to go in order to make this less tedious for all students. Could it be that the demand for assistive math technology for those with limited mobility will lead the way and benefit all? I truly hope so!

Resources: [] [] [] []