Technology and Learning in Speical Education

Many of my students have major communication needs and most are non verbal. Assistive technology devices such as "Big Mac Switches" are critical to their independence and participation in their learning environment. During our circle time I always pre program responses that correlate to the activities that we will be working on to engage the students. I ask them questions about the activities and have appropriate prerecorded answers to help the students participate. Sometimes the students help lead certain activities such as the flag salute. I pre record the directions and the salute so they can lead it independently by touching the switches. This type of assistive technology is easy to use to communicate wants/needs, socialize or participate in all school activities.