What to do? When the plan isn't happening...

During the last course I worked very intensely with one student with a Learning Disability. We worked together using Kurzweil, Start to Finish books and Co-writer. Over the course of the term, there were many times when the student experienced great success using the programs in the Program Support room. Unfortunately, the success did not translate into the classroom even though Individual Adaptations with these as a specific strategies were named, for whatever reason they did not occur in the classroom. The parent's of the student were quite concerned and several conversations occurred between the teacher, administration and myself. After Christmas break the issue seemed to disappear, although this student still only receives Assistive Technology support when in the Program Support room, it appears as though the parents have given up.
Today, however, a second concern was raised regarding a second student in the same classroom not receiving the outlined and necessary IA/AT supports within the classroom. Similarly, the student is using a great deal of Assistive Technology in the Program Support room with great success but is not being provided with opportunities to experience success in their own classroom. As a PST and a classroom teacher I understand the demands every teacher has, however I do not understand how it is possible for a teacher who claims to be concerned for their students to not at least attempt to provide the necessary tools for a student's success!
How can we advocate and ensure AT is used within the classrooms? Besides providing opportunities for training, what else can be done? I understand legal accountability as far as the IA goes but how do we make it as a best teaching practice instead?

Week 5-Choose It and Power Point

I am excited at the prospects of using Power Point to design interactive programs. Unlike many other programs explored in class, Power Point is readily available at all schools and can achieve a variety of activities to introduce, reinforce and evaluate student's work.
Choose It activities completed and presented by all groups this week were very well done. It was interesting to share very different activities using the same program. As noted last week the program has a great deal of potential, if the limitations of the program are also well known and activities are designed with both limitations and potential in mind.

Week 4- Choose It

I really enjoyed using the program presented in class this week. Choose It Maker has a very simplistic interface and wonderful graphics. The program is designer and user friendly. The variety of options available to make the program accessible to a wide range of users is also a great feature. I think the program could be incorporated into a variety of subject and IPP goals. Although the program does not record responses the program does enable a form of assessment as long as someone is recording responses, which after all is how assistive technology is suppose to be used (under supervision).