Assistive technology (AT) can help young children with disabilities fully participate in natural, inclusive learning environments--but many early childhood professionals don't get the training they need to harness the power of AT. Fill that gap with this unintimidating, reader-friendly resource, the go-to guide to recommended AT practice for…

Options for special educators in creating computer assisted instruction for handicapped learners are examined, including machine code (such as BASIC), authoring languages, authoring systems, and commercially available shell programs. Examples of each are cited. (CL)

Educators interested in applying technology to individualized educational program (IEP) development for handicapped children need to first, understand and explicitly state the local context in which IEP development occurs and then weigh the options in relation to criteria specifying ease of use, data features, program capabilities, and costs.…

The current shortage of computer assisted instruction in special education is examined and recommendations are made for teacher-developed software. Suggestions regarding software selection and use address learning characteristics (such as spelling and motor problems and memory deficits) and motivational characteristics. (Author/CL)

The article focuses on the first two of six elements of effective instruction (warm-up and introductory activity) and applies them to the use of computer software aids in special education. Examples of suitable warm-up and introductory activities are provided. (DB)

The information is offered to acquaint teachers with the scope and nature of microcomputer applications in special education. A brief history of computers traces the changes in the past 40 years. Information on basic computer operations covers such aspects as data storage, the nature of application programs, disk drives, and floppy disks.…

This guide presents materials for a computer-based college-level dance and choreography course appropriate for the inclusion of students with disabilities as well as a collection of dance games appropriate for other school and recreational environments which include individuals at various ages, and academic, developmental, and computer skill…

Discusses the use of computer software for students with special needs in the music classroom. Focuses on software programs that are appropriate for children with special needs such as: "Musicshop,""Band-in-a-Box,""Rock Rap'n Roll,""Music Mania,""Music Ace" and "Music Ace 2," and "Children's Songbook." (CMK)

This final report describes a federally funded project to improve the instructional design and use of general software with students who have special learning needs. An 86-page guide, which was the project output, is provided. This "Guide for the Use of General Software with Students Who Have Special Learning Needs" is designed to help teachers…

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…

The book focuses on the use of microcomputer technology in special education. It is intended for users with no programming knowledge. An introductory section provides suggestions for finding software and considers the microcomputer's role in communications and environmental control. The second chapter addresses key elements of microcomputer…

This teacher's guide provides an overview of KidPix software and contains adaptive applications of the software for Cognitively Disabled-Borderline (CDB) students. Ten lesson plans are given, including: (1) "USing Rubber Stamps/Rubber Stamp Editor"; (2) "Portrait"; (3) "Create a Pattern"; (4) "Garden Mural";…

The Preschool Technology Training Project was designed to develop and demonstrate a regional training model on the applications of assistive technology for preschoolers with disabilities. The goal of the training was to enable preschool special education teachers, related services personnel, and parents of young children with disabilities to…

This paper is a series of lesson plans designed to assist teachers with the instruction of the exceptional learner. The focus is on identifying what the exceptional learner needs, and provides specific lesson plans that met those needs. Exceptional learners experience difficulty with spelling, organization, and metacognition. Detailed directions…

This curriculum guide presents a comprehensive approach to using technology with children. Chapter 1 presents the curriculum's philosophy and identifies benefits and applications of technology for young children. Chapter 2 looks at the learning environment (including preschool environments, birth to three environments, and environments for…