Adaptive technologies are meant to do exactly what the title says. The technology is supposed to adapt to different situations to allow a student to receive the information in a way that is beneficial. This can be reading aloud for students with visual impairment or digital translators for ELLs. The reading aloud option provides a personalized learning experience for a visually impaired student so that they can learn the course material. One hurdle that ELLs must face in school is the language barrier. A digital translator allows a student to keep up with what the teacher is saying or what is on the board without holding back the other students in the class. At the restaurant where I work there is a blind couple that comes in occasionally and I see them on their phones tapping and listening to the menu options. The screen is still black and it relies on the user's finger. In middle school I remember sitting next to an Asian students who had a mini tablet with a keyboard and she used that to translate the English words.
With all technology, there are drawbacks. Technology has a set algorithm and code so sometimes it cannot adjust for user error. The standard computer relies heavily on the users ability to read and interpret the words and symbols on the screen. The visually impaired student has to learn how to use the adapted technology as proficiently as a non-visually impaired student must learn a standard computer. Navigating the internet, making a PowerPoint, or searching Word documents all require time to learn. The visually impaired does not have the same help from a more knowledgeable other so it is a greater challenge to learn the intricacies of the process. Another challenge for adaptive technology is the cost. The translator tablet or specialized computer for the visually impaired come at a high cost. If a school is underfunded then the student has to provide this themselves. This inherently hurts impoverished students with disabilities more than affluent students.
With all technology, there are drawbacks. Technology has a set algorithm and code so sometimes it cannot adjust for user error. The standard computer relies heavily on the users ability to read and interpret the words and symbols on the screen. The visually impaired student has to learn how to use the adapted technology as proficiently as a non-visually impaired student must learn a standard computer. Navigating the internet, making a PowerPoint, or searching Word documents all require time to learn. The visually impaired does not have the same help from a more knowledgeable other so it is a greater challenge to learn the intricacies of the process. Another challenge for adaptive technology is the cost. The translator tablet or specialized computer for the visually impaired come at a high cost. If a school is underfunded then the student has to provide this themselves. This inherently hurts impoverished students with disabilities more than affluent students.
A great site to stay informed on tech trends is Engadget.com. The front page of the site always has the latest technology news. Today it discussed the Cambridge Analytica scandal with Facebook as well as the new Samsung TV that allows a mode to "see through" the TV. There are different subcategories relating to "gaming," "entertainment," and a "Tomorrow" page that discusses where technology is going and what people are working on.
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