Through research, shared stories have demonstrated their effectiveness in teaching literacy skills to students with disabilities, including students who are culturally and linguistically diverse. In an effort to keep pace with ever-changing technology, shared stories can be transformed into a multimedia experience using software that is commonly…

There are many challenges for teachers today. One of the most difficult challenges for diligent teachers is reaching the needs of an increasingly diverse student population. In order for teachers to reach ALL students, teachers must begin where students are, which means recognizing individual differences. Differentiated instruction (DI) with the…

With the national push towards inclusion, more students with disabilities are being placed in general education settings. Furthermore, when placed, more students with disabilities are entering social studies classrooms than any other content area. Classroom teachers are being asked to "reach and teach" all students, often with little support.…

Microsoft PowerPoint software is widely used in business and higher education and is growing in use with school-aged students. A small body of research has demonstrated that it can be effective in enhancing skill instruction for individuals with disabilities. PowerPoint is not a difficult program to learn, but it provides endless possibilities for…

To help industrial arts teachers make decisions about the use of computer programs in classes containing disabled students, critical elements of appropriate computer software are discussed, includingpurpose and objectives, principles of learning, and major software problems. Recommendations are also presented for developing software and joining a…

This article describes how a group of elementary teachers set out to master their instructional software to turn the collection into an effective aid for enabling the success of students with and without disabilities. It discusses planning for systematic intervention and positive outcomes through the use of computer programs. (Contains…

This paper documents the need for new instructional methods to use with students who have disabilities, by citing results from a survey of 46 Oklahoma schools, which gathered data on the modifications used for mainstreamed students with disabilities. Next, the critical research on learning and on computer assisted instruction is summarized. A…

This article describes an online resource, TrackStar, that helps organize and annotate Web sites (more specifically, the addresses or URLs to the Web sites) into lessons, presentations, or instructional resources. Each "track" provides a user with a list of Web-based resources that have been located, organized, and summarized. Examples of uses…

Four statewide programs offering such services as help in selection, education, and awareness of assistive devices for disabled students are described: the Pennsylvania Assistive Device Center, MissouriLINC, the New Jersey Assistive Device Center, and the Center for Computer Opportunities for the Disabled (Massachusetts). A contact person is…

This article explains the three components of eBooks: an eBook file, software to read the eBook, and a hardware device to read it on. The use of eBooks for students with special needs, the advantages of eBooks, built in accommodations, and creating accommodations are discussed. EBook resources are included. (Contains references.) (CR)

Discussed is the use of microcomputers, networks, speech synthesizers, and electronic mail to help impaired students and faculty communicate. A telecourse is described. Accessibility is emphasized. (CW)

This paper discusses two approaches to designing and studying integrated media applications, relating each to current theories of learning and thinking. After a discussion of the "curriculum embellishment" and "break-the-mold" approaches, alternatives to decontextualized curricula are examined in the context of new and revised goals for learning.…

Discusses approaches to teaching mathematical problem solving in the context of number, including encouraging children to write number stories to consolidate their conceptual understanding and technical competence. The use of computers to explore mathematical concepts is discussed, and examples of how number squares can be used are provided. (CR)

Federal legislation requires that supplementary aids and services be provided to students with diagnosed disabilities to assist them in accessing the general-education curriculum. Such modifications to the curriculum may include assistive technology (AT) devices and services. AT can be any item, piece of equipment, or teacher-made product that is…

The Exceptional Children and New Technology project sought to meet the instructional needs of physically handicapped, emotionally disturbed, learning disabled, and mentally handicapped children through the use of computer technology. The goals of the project were to test the instructional value of adaptive/assistive devices with exceptional…