Low Tech & Adapted Tech Presentations on Day 11

Today was a fun day in Education 5173. Our assignment was to shop at the Dollar Store and find:

1. an 'off the shelf' assistive technology item we could use to improve the performance of our students.



2. an item we could 'modify' with the purpose of improving the performance of our students.

It was amazing that each group was able to visit the same Dollar Store and purchase items that were so diverse. At times I would think, 'how are they going to adapt that item?' After each presentation I would say to myself, 'now wasn't that a great idea'. The people in our class were definitely thinking 'outside the box'. The creativity, ideas and presentations were great!


1. The 'off the shelf' ' item Jeanette and I chose was a water blaster gun that we transformed into a pointing device. Our student was in a wheelchair and prior to using this device, performing pointing activities at the whiteboard was difficult. Now all the students could use this item as a pointer but our student in the wheelchair could extend it to provide a greater reach.

2. The 'modified' item was a manipulative we created to complete math sentences. The student has disgraphia and visual impairment.

On a white board we placed Velcro strips.

Dominoes were used as the manipulives which also had Velcro attached to the back of each. The strong black and white contrast worked well for our visually impaired student.

Just a little note to all:

Thank you everyone for all the rewarding experiences I enjoyed in 5173. There were many challenges but now we have the rewards of those new learning endevors. It was a pleasure to know you and enjoy your creativity, laughs and triumps! Thanks Barb and great job girls and Carl!