Technology is quickly becoming integrated with today’s teaching and learning. Whether it’s students using iPods, iPads or Chromebooks, today’s students are connected in a whole different way.
District 742’s Accessible Educational Material (AEM) team works with teachers and students to make classroom materials accessible for students, including students with print disabilities.
Needs don’t get overlooked. Charlene Hopela, an AEM support assistant, helps train students on their electronic devices in regards to their digital textbooks, applications and other electronic materials.
Alexabae Khamsaensouk is an Apollo junior who approached Hopela requesting assistance. Khamsaensouk struggles with reading in her language arts class. Khamsaensouk has a print disability.
“People with print disabilities are people that just have trouble reading,” says Khamsaensouk.
One reading assignment in particular was an older article. However, because the text was not recognizable when the article was put into electronic form [scanned] and read with the iPad application, Voice Dream Reader (text to speech), it sounded like gibberish. Hopela sought out Khamasaensouk’s language arts teacher, Mary Barron-Traut.
Barron-Traut, wanting to assist, used her speech to text application on her MacBook Air to create a new accessible electronic document. That document was then used into the text to speech app for Khamsaensouk.
“I do really like to work with tech stuff, and I try to look for new ways to use it,” says Barron-Traut.
Janet Perske, a special education special learning disability teacher, explains, “This type of technology is helping people with print disabilities be able to access their core curriculum.”
The Voice Dream Reader application allows students to customize their learning and make it more enjoyable. They are able to change fonts, colors, backgrounds and the speed at which text is read to them.
AEM is now allowing students to test in their own classrooms. In the past, students would leave the classroom to have a teacher read the test to them. In addition, students are also able to dictate answers (speech to text) for essay tests.
“When I use to take history tests,” says Khamsaensouk. “I would get Cs and Ds on my tests. Now I have Bs instead because it’s read to me. It’s easier not having to look over the page five to six times and getting lost.”
District 742 is among the leaders in the nation with AEM. There are not many school districts that offer AEM. The initiative was put into place in the 2014-15 school year.
Perske explains, “District 742 has really supported this so we can help the students.”
AEM does not stop at the high school level. It carries on to post-secondary education as well. Students are able to access the applications such as Bookshare through their post-secondary education. Once a student qualifies for Bookshare, the subscription carries on with them.
Hopela says, “I have an open door policy for any student. They can walk in for assistance at any time.”
AEM continues to make a difference in district students and teachers alike.