Using technology to differentiate and accommodate students with disabilities

Improving the abilities of students with disabilities is a difficult task. Students with disabilities strive to be successful academically in the content areas of reading, writing, and mathematical concepts. Teachers can use technology to individualize and differentiate instruction for students who need the assistance and support. Vocaroo, Quick Response codes, Plickers, Screencast-O-Matic, Padlet, Storybird, Bookshare, Bubbl.us, Kahoot, and Newsela are differentiated technological instructional tools available for teachers to use to assist students with disabilities in multiple areas of learning difficulty. Vocaroo and Quick Response codes provide reading alternatives, interactivity, and engaging options. Plickers and Kahoot are assessment tools. Screencast-O-Matic digitally videos the lesson for student review at later times. Storybird, Bookshare, and Newsela are online, leveled reading options. Padlet helps students create and collaborate to demonstrate their knowledge in an alternative manner. Bubbl.us is an online mapping tool. Using these technological tools to accommodate and differentiate instructional lessons provides students with 21st-century skills as well as addresses the process, product, and pace of differentiation basics.

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