Adaptive and Assistive Technologies for the STEM Classroom

Accessibility Features of an Iphone

Since 2010 and the introduction of the Iphone 4S which came shortly after Apple's acquistion of SIRI.  Siri became an integral part of the Iphone. Siri is a Speech Interpretion and Recognition Interface that is a very useful component of the Iphone.  This software allows the users to tell the phone what do like call Mom, set up a destination on maps, look up information, etc. All of these features are great for anyone that is in a rush, driving and shouldn't be looking at a phone, and of course those with physical disabilities. My friend K.O. was born with Cerebral Palsy which has caused him to be paralyzed from the waist down. Siri has allowed him to still get around in his wheel chair and communicate with friends, take notes, look up directions, etc. He has bought an Iphone ever since the 4S for the accessibility feature of SIRI. 

Iphone also has a feature for the blind. They have a voice over feature that is an advance screenreader that reads aloud what is on the screen.  The Iphone operating system also includes Dictation which allows a user to speak and it types for you.  This is convenient for those who have disabilities that limit their hand or arm movement. 

References:

http://www.apple.com/accessibility/ios/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siri

Obstacles and Solutions for Integrating Technology into a STEM Classroom

Obstacles and Solutions for Integrating Technology into a STEM Classroom

STEM education is already a daunting task.  The course work should be rigorous and relevant to students and the community. Community involvement in the STEM program is key to developing a successful program. One of the biggest obstacles facing STEM education is the Technology aspect of STEM.  Technology can pose issues anywhere with funding being tight.  The funding to maintain a well kept laboratory of computers, electronic kits, robotics, and shop equipment is almost impossible for schools to budget. Outside of technology it's difficult to find an educator that is comfortable teaching a course that requires flexibility and experimentation for a successful STEM environment.  The teacher of a STEM will be learning with the students; it's almost impossible to know everything about STEM. 

Possible Solutions

Technology 

Technology is expensive, but there is always ways of procuring funds for education. One way is to involve the community businesses in the decision making process of types of STEM course they want in their local school system. Generally, local business have a budget of funds that they can donate to school systems to programs that they believe will help their company. For instance, Toyota has several grants for STEM programs. They have one for $25,000 for three years for programs that start a Project Lead the Way Computer Integrated Manufacturing course. They believe that this course offers significant learning that will feed into their AMT programs that they use to develop their engineers. The AMT program is where a student will work for a specific company (Toyota or other FAME partner) for three days a week and the other two days they will be taking classes that where developed by the companies to teach the workers skills that they need them to know for specific job opportunities at their company. 

References

        Roblyer, M.D. (2016). Integrating educational technology into teaching (7th Ed.) Upper

Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc.

Kentucky Fame

http://www.kyfame.com/

Relative Advantage to Technology in STEM

EdTech 541: Relative Advantage

of using Technology to Teach STEM

Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics course is an abstract, project based course that allows instructors to seamlessly integrate technology into the curriculum. Students know that there are forces everywhere and that everything is designed. That doesn't mean that they know how things are invented and designed, or how forces work. This is where technology plays a key role in the STEM classroom. 

One of the relative advantages of using technology in the STEM classroom is that it allows students to use software that is being used in the industry. Autodesk, Inc. is a leader in 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software. (autodesk.com) Autodesk has since made all of their products free for schools and educational institute to use. This has allowed engineering students to access software that is currently being used by engineers everyday. 

Technology has always been here with this generation of children. Students are "plugged in" more than ever. Technology is engaging and motivational to students already, it's up to educators to use that to their advantage. Technology can be used to connect students to worlds they may never experience. The use of virtual tours, simulations, and rapid prototyping machines brings the industry into the classroom. This will bring in community involvement into your school which always helps out students. 

References:

http://www.autodesk.com/company

Roblyer, M.D. (2016). Integrating educational technology into teaching (7th Ed.) Upper        Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc.