Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Chapter Six: Assistive Technology to Enhance Communication

Chapter Six, Assistive Technology to Enhance Communication, talks about being able to communicate. This chapter discusses assistive technology tools that enhance communication between students with disabilities, teachers, and peers. 

In the beginning of the chapter, it discusses the difference between deaf and hard of hearing. People tend to get the two definitions confused just because it has to do with little to no hearing. Students who are deaf have little or no hearing. These students are not comfortable with speaking and they communicate through sign language. Unlike students who are deaf, students who are hard of hearing can understand speech through hearing aids. These students might have speech impairments but speak well enough to be understood. Some students that are hard of hearing might have difficulty in the classroom following the teachers lectures. It's important for teachers to be knowledgeable and communicate effectively. This can be done by repeating key points in the lecture and standing by the student making sure they are getting the information.  

Hearing assistive technology  is technology that helps people who have hearing losses. These technologies include alerting devices such as smoke detector indicators, shaking alarm clocks, and baby cry signalers. It also includes adaptations for telephones such as text messages, video relay, relay services, and portable phone amplifiers. Augmentative communication is about helping people who can not speak to interact with others. It serves as an alternative for people who can not talk. An example would be using facial expressions, gestures, and body language when communicating. 

1 comment:

  1. I thought it was intresting how they started off stating the difference between deaf and hard of hearing as well. I did not know the complete difference and it was a great clarification in the chapter. It will be helpful going in to the classroom knowing the difference between the two when having a student with either.

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