Tech Expert
The following are questions and answers from Dr. Tracy Gray on this topic.
What technology helps students take notes in lectures?
My son is in high school and has trouble being able to take notes while listening to lectures. The teacher said that maybe he could tape record the lessons, but then my son just has to listen to them again and it takes twice as long. Any ideas on what we can do so he doesn't have to take all of these notes and listen at the same time?
It can be challenging for many students with disabilities to take notes while listening to teacher lectures or instruction. A couple of different options may be helpful for your son, depending on the resources available at your school and his teacher's instructional style. If your son's teacher regularly uses overheads or slide presentations, it may be helpful for your son to have access to the slides during the lecture. He can view the slides on a laptop and add his notes to them as the teacher presents information.
Another option if your son's teacher doesn't use slide presentations during lectures would be to ask the teacher to create electronic note-taking tools or graphic organizers for the lecture material. Depending on the specific content being covered, these could include partially completed outlines, concept maps, or story analysis webs. Your son could have these available on a laptop and fill them in as the teacher presents material. This article on Tech Tools for Students with Learning Disabilities offers some suggestions for students that may be helpful.
There are also several software options available for creating concept maps or online note taking. Inspiration and MindManager are both tools that allow users to create visual representations of information. These tools could be beneficial for writing activities or connecting concepts.
Online note taking software such as EverNote would allow your son to create searchable notes and diagrams using digital images, handwritten text from a tablet PC, text from websites or text from Word documents and PowerPoint presentations. If a laptop is unavailable for your son to use in the classroom, a portable note-taker might be a good solution. AlphaSmart and Fusion makes portable note-taking devices that are popular in schools; other options can be found on the TechMatrix website.
(December 2007)
Can you provide recommendations of things to consider when developing a university program for students with learning disabilities?
We live in Beirut, Lebanon where my 19 year old son, who is diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD, will be attending the American University for Science & Technology (AUST). AUST recently approved a program for students with disabilities and the university administration is working with the parents to develop an effective program. Can you provide us with any recommendations for things we should consider, such as assistive technology, teaching methods, training of teachers, etc., to guide us in this effort?
Ilham
It is wonderful to hear about AUST working with parents to develop a program for students with disabilities. No doubt, collaboration between the two entities will enhance the process. There are many issues that need to be considered in such an endeavor in addition to those that you have mentioned.
I think a good place to start may be with the HEATH Resource Center Clearinghouse, which provides information for students with disabilities on educational disability support services, policies, procedures, adaptations and access, as well as links to many other valuable resources.
Also, explore the web site for the Association on Higher Education and Disability — AHEAD, which is the premiere professional association committed to full participation of persons with disabilities in postsecondary education.
In addition, I recommend that you contact the directors of various university programs for students with disabilities. These professionals should be able to provide you with information about the development and implementation of their own programs, as well as practical advice from their lessons learned.
Colleges with Programs for Students with Learning Disabilities, a directory maintained by the American Educational Guidance Center, can provide you with links to dozens of universities that have registered programs.
(October 2007)
For more information on this topic, please visit the College & College Prep section in LD InDepth.
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