Julia Trygstad's Page

I am in a class where we are learning and making communication boards. These devices are mainly for non-verbal students. A communication board is a machine that has a screen or slides of boxes. Each box represents a choice for the student in what they are trying to say or how they feel. The box sometimes words or phrases for the students to know what they mean, but they always have a picture of what the word or phrase looks like. When a box or series of boxes are pressed the board speaks for…See More

I am interested to see what everyone else thinks about a device called a scanning pen. This type of tool has the ability to scan text (numbers, letters, words, documents, newspapers, magazines, receipts, etc.) and export it into any application. (Microsoft Word, Excel, RSS Feeds, Blogs, etc.) I find this to be very interesting. This tool is not necessarily limited for the use of students with disabilities or students in general. This tool can be used by anyone to assist in transferring…See More

I have recently been doing some research on a piece of Assistive Technology that can be used in the classroom called, the "Tap-It." This device is basically a TV/Computer touch screen that allows a user to enlarge images, writing, and other things. The enlargement of these items provide better accuracy in icon selection. Some students with lack of precision and/or involuntary arm movements, needs a larger target in order to "tap" the correct and desired space on the screen. This device helps…See More

While researching the thoughts and opinions of assistive tech. in the classroom, to my surprise, I found that many think this is a disadvantage for teachers to have the ability to capture the students attention. Many of the sources I've viewed have brought up the complaint that when students are provided with assistive technology (AT), their reliance is built up, which alters or lessens the student-teacher interaction. Though this has SOME truth behind it, many of these web sites and even some…See More