The Edvocate

Top Menu

Main Menu

  • Start Here
    • Our Brands
    • Governance
      • Lynch Educational Consulting
      • Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
      • Careers
    • Write For Us
    • Books
    • The Tech Edvocate Product Guide
    • Contact Us
    • The Edvocate Podcast
    • Edupedia
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
  • PreK-12
    • Assessment
    • Assistive Technology
    • Child Development
    • Classroom Management
    • Early Childhood
    • EdTech & Innovation
    • Education Leadership
    • Equity
    • First Year Teachers
    • Gifted and Talented Education
    • Parental Involvement
    • Policy & Reform
    • Special Education
    • Teachers
  • Higher Ed
    • Best Colleges and Universities
    • Best College and University Programs
    • Diversity
    • HBCU’s
    • Higher Education
    • Higher Education EdTech
    • International Education
  • Advertise
  • The Tech Edvocate Awards
    • The Awards Process
    • Finalists and Winners of The 2022 Tech Edvocate Awards
      • Finalists and Winners of The 2021 Tech Edvocate Awards
      • Finalists and Winners of The 2020 Tech Edvocate Awards
      • Finalists and Winners of The 2019 Tech Edvocate Awards
      • Finalists and Winners of The 2018 Tech Edvocate Awards
      • Finalists and Winners of The 2017 Tech Edvocate Awards
    • Award Seals
  • Apps
    • GPA Calculator for College
    • GPA Calculator for High School
    • Cumulative GPA Calculator
    • Grade Calculator
    • Weighted Grade Calculator
    • Final Grade Calculator
  • The Tech Edvocate
  • Pedagogue
  • P-20 Ed Careers

logo

The Edvocate

  • Start Here
    • Our Brands
    • Governance
      • Lynch Educational Consulting
      • Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
        • My Speaking Page
      • Careers
    • Write For Us
    • Books
    • The Tech Edvocate Product Guide
    • Contact Us
    • The Edvocate Podcast
    • Edupedia
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
  • PreK-12
    • Assessment
    • Assistive Technology
    • Child Development
    • Classroom Management
    • Early Childhood
    • EdTech & Innovation
    • Education Leadership
    • Equity
    • First Year Teachers
    • Gifted and Talented Education
    • Parental Involvement
    • Policy & Reform
    • Special Education
    • Teachers
  • Higher Ed
    • Best Colleges and Universities
    • Best College and University Programs
    • Diversity
    • HBCU’s
    • Higher Education
    • Higher Education EdTech
    • International Education
  • Advertise
  • The Tech Edvocate Awards
    • The Awards Process
    • Finalists and Winners of The 2022 Tech Edvocate Awards
      • Finalists and Winners of The 2021 Tech Edvocate Awards
      • Finalists and Winners of The 2020 Tech Edvocate Awards
      • Finalists and Winners of The 2019 Tech Edvocate Awards
      • Finalists and Winners of The 2018 Tech Edvocate Awards
      • Finalists and Winners of The 2017 Tech Edvocate Awards
    • Award Seals
  • Apps
    • GPA Calculator for College
    • GPA Calculator for High School
    • Cumulative GPA Calculator
    • Grade Calculator
    • Weighted Grade Calculator
    • Final Grade Calculator
  • The Tech Edvocate
  • Pedagogue
  • P-20 Ed Careers
  • Being Employable After Graduating From College

  • Graduation Songs To Celebrate the Moment

  • 10 Sesame Street Videos That Are Relevant for Today

  • 25 Funny Third Grade Jokes to Start The Day

  • 25 Elementary School Brain Breaks To Boost Energy

  • 20 Terrific Guided Meditations for Teachers

  • Leveraging Digital Tools to Teach Soft Skills

  • Ending the War Between Traditional and Online Instruction in Higher Education

  • Print Awareness: Everything You Need to Know

  • Thanksgiving Poems for Kids of All Ages

Assistive Technology
Home›Assistive Technology›My Vision For the Future of Assistive Technology in Education

My Vision For the Future of Assistive Technology in Education

By Matthew Lynch
June 26, 2018
11974
1
Spread the love

Assistive technology is a broad term encompassing everything from learning management software to eye gaze systems. While the category covers a variety of items, they all have one thing in common. Assistive technology makes education and learning more accessible to students with physical or learning disabilities. The role these products have in leveling the playing field for disabled students can be the difference between students who get by and those who embrace lifelong learning.

My vision for the future of assistive technology in education will include the expansion of availability to disadvantaged students. Additionally, I believe that we are standing on the precipice to innovation for assistive technology. The coming years will see advancement in equipment for blind, deaf, and learning disabled students like never before.

The last few years have seen the invention of a braille-enabled smartphone for the blind and seizure warning belts for children who have epilepsy. Children with disabilities are already benefiting from the use of Learning Management Systems in schools, flipped teaching approaches and heightened awareness. However, I envision a future where disabled students are empowered to learn alongside their peers by technology.

As we venture into the world of AI in schools, the implications for disabled children are enormous. Children with learning disabilities, like dyslexia, need more time to process information. And, systems which allow students to learn and interact at their own pace will be invaluable for these children. Teachers already provide video lessons for students to watch from home. I believe these lessons will transform into an interactive experience through the use of personal artificial intelligence tutors, helping students with learning delays or autism absorb lessons at their own pace and with personalized electronic help.

Furthermore, I imagine advancements in braille technology for students. Currently, blind children are limited by technology and delays to learning are normal. However, with the invention of the braille-smartphone, I believe we aren’t far from instant translation systems for blind students. We may experience a braille tablet which wirelessly translates anything written on a connected electronic “blackboard.” Or, maybe we will find blind students guided by artificial intelligence assistants, similar to the current real-life person application of Be My Eyes.

My future vision includes improved assistance for hearing impaired students. While the prevalence of American Sign Language in schools has grown, over the years, I believe technology can help bridge remaining gaps. Students with hearing impairment are often supported by tools like FM systems. However, I envision technology going further for deaf and hearing-impaired students. Perhaps smart glasses which display audio content visually for the wearer, or an intuitive tablet system which allows users to lock onto different voices and amplify them into an earpiece or show a text transcript.

The sky’s the limit for assistive technology in the classroom. The last ten years have seen advancements in how we teach and interact with deaf, blind, and learning disabled students. However, I think it’s only the beginning. I believe that the development of educational AI will be successful in helping level the playing field for all students. And, I hope that education funding for disadvantaged students will prioritize assistive technology for all children who need it.

What type of assistive technology do you want to see in the next ten years? How has current technology helped your students? We want to hear your experiences.

 

TagsedchatEducationelemchatk12learningschoolsteacher
Previous Article

Bloomz Adds Student Role to Target All ...

Next Article

My Vision For the Future of STEM ...

Matthew Lynch

Related articles More from author

  • Higher EducationMatthew LynchPolicy & Reform

    3 Ways Activists Fought For P-20 Education in 2015

    December 18, 2015
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Black Boys in CrisisEquity

    Black Boys in Crisis: The Lack of Positive Role Models

    December 6, 2016
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Policy & Reform

    Is breakfast in the classroom problematic?

    December 11, 2015
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Early Childhood

    Help your children play out a story and watch them become more creative

    December 19, 2016
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Higher Education

    Top Universities in Canada for 2018

    November 15, 2017
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Best Colleges and UniversitiesHigher Education

    2023 Best and Worst Colleges for Minorities

    May 1, 2019
    By Matthew Lynch

1 comment

  1. A journey to Make Learning Possible – Nataly Moussa 18 November, 2018 at 01:00 Reply

    […] is easy for him to understand and absorb. Now, while reading about Assistive tech, I found this article  that explicitly mentions the possibility of this to happen “As we venture into the world of AI […]

Leave a reply Cancel reply

  • Artificial Intelligence

    How Artificial Intelligence is Boosting Personalization in Higher Education

  • Artificial Intelligence

    3 Ways Artificial Intelligence Augments the Likelihood of Social Mobility

  • Artificial IntelligenceDigital Leadership

    When a School’s IT Faces AI Automation

Search

Registration and Login

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Newsletter

Signup for The Edvocate Newsletter and have the latest in P-20 education news and opinion delivered to your email address!

Subscribe to The Edvocate Podcast

Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsAndroidby EmailRSS
  • Recent

  • Popular

  • Comments

  • Being Employable After Graduating From College

    By Matthew Lynch
    June 25, 2022
  • Graduation Songs To Celebrate the Moment

    By Matthew Lynch
    June 25, 2022
  • 10 Sesame Street Videos That Are Relevant for Today

    By Matthew Lynch
    June 25, 2022
  • 25 Funny Third Grade Jokes to Start The Day

    By Matthew Lynch
    June 25, 2022
  • 25 Elementary School Brain Breaks To Boost Energy

    By Matthew Lynch
    June 25, 2022
  • 18 Reasons the U.S. Education System is Failing

    By Matthew Lynch
    April 3, 2017
  • The Top 5 Unexpected Benefits of Early Childhood Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    February 29, 2016
  • 7 Benefits of STEM Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    January 12, 2019
  • What is Culturally Responsive Pedagogy?

    By Matthew Lynch
    April 21, 2016
  • pass or fail

    Black Boys in Crisis: Why Aren’t They Reading?

    By Matthew Lynch
    January 16, 2017
  • Keeping Kids Engaged In Their Studies Is Tough, But It's Possible - A Nation of Moms
    on
    June 21, 2022

    What Giving up on a Student Says About You

    […] final thing that ...
  • 9 Practical Rewards Of Teaching That Make The Drama Worth It - Mama Manages
    on
    June 21, 2022

    Why It’s So Hard to Be a Teacher Right Now

    […] hard things in ...
  • Teacher Planning Tips: Use Your Plan Period Better - Miss Glitter Teaches
    on
    June 21, 2022

    How to Effectively Use Common Planning Time

    […] How to Effectively ...
  • Understanding the Link Between Class Size and Student Achievement – Buzz Informer
    on
    June 20, 2022

    Does Class Size Really Matter?

    […] class sizes work ...
  • Balancing PLN, Media Literacy, & Public Discourse – CIGARS&VINO
    on
    June 20, 2022

    What is the Importance of a Personal Learning Network?

    […] What is the ...

Ask an Expert

  • Ask An Expert

    How Dumbed Down Education Is Creating a National Security Crisis

    Spread the loveFor the past few decades, our country’s educational system has seen both struggle and tremendous change. With the various ailments plaguing our educational system, education reforms have attempted ...
  • Ask An Expert

    21 Inspirational Quotes That Nelson Mandela Made About Education

    Spread the loveWe all have our heroes. Those human beings that seem larger than life and almost achieve Godlike status. One of my heroes is the late-great Nelson Mandela, who ...
  • Ask An ExpertAssistive TechnologyCareer ReadinessChild Development TechClassroom ManagementDigital & Mobile TechnologyDigital LeadershipDisabilitiesDiversityEarly ChildhoodEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech & InnovationEducation LeadershipElementary EducationElementary SchoolEquityFirst Year TeachersFreshHigh SchoolK-12Middle SchoolModern ParentingParent & Family TechParental InvolvementParentingPersonalized LearningPodcastPolicy & ReformPreK-12Special EducationSTEMTeacher EducationTeachers

    The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 7: How Digital Age Teachers Can Win Over Parents

    Spread the loveEducation is a collaborative process, as it takes many stakeholders working in unison to help students succeed academically. One of the most integral parts of this collaborative team ...
  • Ask An ExpertAssessmentAssistive TechnologyBlack Boys in CrisisChild Development TechClassroom ManagementDigital & Mobile TechnologyDigital LeadershipDisabilitiesEarly ChildhoodEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech & InnovationEdTech Policy & ReformEducation LeadershipElementary EducationElementary SchoolEquityFeaturedFirst Year TeachersFreshGamificationGifted and Talented EducationHBCU'sHigh SchoolHigher EducationK-12Online Learning & eLearningOpEducationPersonalized LearningPodcastPolicy & ReformRetention & Social Promotion SeriesSpecial EducationSTEMTeacher EducationTeachersTesting

    The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 6: 8 Ways That Digital Age Teachers Avoid Burning Out

    Spread the loveBeing a teacher is a tough job. So much so, many new teachers end up leaving the field within their first three years. To ensure that the next ...
  • Ask An ExpertAssessmentAssistive TechnologyBlack Boys in CrisisBullyingChild DevelopmentChild Development TechClassroom ManagementCurrent Ed NewsDigital LeadershipEarly ChildhoodEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech & InnovationEdTech Policy & ReformEdTech Startups & BusinessesEducation LeadershipEquityFeaturedFirst Year TeachersFreshGamificationGifted and Talented EducationHBCU'sHigh SchoolHigher EducationHigher Education EdTechK-12Matthew LynchModern ParentingOnline Learning & eLearningOpEducationPersonalized LearningPodcastPolicy & ReformRetention & Social Promotion SeriesSpecial EducationSTEMTeacher EducationTeachersTestingYear-Round Schooling

    The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 5: The Archetype of a Great Teacher

    Spread the loveOne of the questions that I am frequently asked is, what does a good teacher look like? I respond by mentioning my 10th-grade Biology teacher, Mrs. Minor, and ...

International Education

  • Education FoundationsInternational Education

    4 Reasons You Should Study Geography

    Spread the loveUsually, people are under the wrong impression that geography does not offer many job opportunities, and there are no jobs for a geographer. They think that studying geography ...
  • International Education

    How International Baccalaureate (IB) Programs Work

    Spread the loveThe International Baccalaureate Program is a very intensive pre-college program in which when students get involved, they get college credit. Unlike most other learning initiatives, this program deeply ...
  • International Education

    Globalization: Everything You Need to Know

    Spread the loveGlobalization is the growing interconnectedness of countries around the world. It involves increasing communication and various forms of interaction between people of different nations, ethnicities and cultures. There ...
  • AssessmentEducation LeadershipHigher EducationInternational EducationProfessional DevelopmentTeachers

    So You Want to Attend Graduate School: The 411 on Grad School Admissions Tests

    Spread the loveApplying for admission to professional and graduate schools is no less competitive than college/undergraduate admissions. If you’re planning to pursue a degree in business, law, medicine, or graduate ...
  • Higher EducationInternational Education

    What Extracurricular Activities Impress Colleges the Most?

    Spread the loveWhen you apply to schools that offer holistic admissions or apply to a college using the Common Application, you will have to describe your participation in extracurricular activities. ...

Early Childhood Education

  • Early Childhood

    18 Alphabet Videos to Help Kids Learn Their A.B.C.s

    Spread the loveIs anything more important in a young student’s life than learning their A.B.C.s? These alphabet videos help reinforce the letters and their sounds in a fun and engaging ...
  • Early Childhood

    16 Clean Up Songs for Kids

    Spread the loveCleaning up is a real drag, so We’ve put together this list of catchy clean-up songs for kids! Clean Up the Room https://youtu.be/GfTT8WBL3nM  Clean Up Song for Children ...
  • Early Childhood

    15 Fun Phonics Songs for Kids

    Spread the loveIn need of fun phonics songs for your students. Check out ou list? Alphabet Song https://youtu.be/R2frjzrC5Jg  The A.B.C. Song for Kids https://youtu.be/nKYCy4ZNBpU  Alphabet PE Exercise Song https://youtu.be/O6DgdjvbIyQ  CVC ...
  • Early Childhood

    25 Second Grade Jokes to Begin The Day

    Spread the loveAre your second graders in need of a laugh? Here’s a list of 25 fun second-grade jokes to keep the day rolling! Which letter has the most water? ...
  • Early Childhood

    25 Funny Thanksgiving Jokes for Kids

    Spread the loveIn need of some Thanksgiving jokes for your students? Calm the excitement with some belly laughs, and one of our favorite corny Thanksgiving jokes for kids. Why did ...

Gifted and Talented Education

  • Gifted and Talented Education

    Twice-Exceptional: What Does it Mean?

    Spread the loveTo be twice-exceptional is to be exceptionally gifted in some academic aspects while being below average compared to peers in other aspects. As a matter of fact, such ...
  • Gifted and Talented Education

    A Guide to Talent Search Programs

    Spread the loveThe Talent Search Initiative has as its aim; the identification of high-performing students by organizing specific tests. Different avenues are then provided for these students to channel their ...
  • Gifted and Talented EducationK-12

    Homogeneous Grouping: What You Need to Know

    Spread the loveThis term refers to the grouping of students by mental capability, aptitude, or hobbies. For instance, gifted students are placed in one group, and students with special needs ...
  • Gifted and Talented Education

    Cluster Grouping: What You Need to Know

    Spread the loveThis term describes a manner of classifying gifted students to place them in properly segmented classrooms. For example, about five to seven extremely bright pupils with comparable skill ...
  • Gifted and Talented EducationHigher Education

    Merit Scholarships: Everything Your Need to Know

    Spread the loveThese are monetary gifts awarded by institutions to superbly gifted students, who have set themselves apart by their exceptional performance in schoolwork, regardless of whether they require the ...

Black Boys in Crisis Series

  • Black Boys in Crisis

    The Importance of Mentoring Young African-American Males

    Spread the loveTeachers need to realize that at home, in their neighborhoods, and in school, many students face difficulties that can interfere with learning. Compared to their middle-class counterparts, it ...
  • Black Boys in CrisisDiversityEquity

    7 Ways That Black Students are Discriminated Against in U.S K-12 Schools

    Spread the loveAfrican Africans have a long history of being mistreated in the United States, starting with slavery. It should come as no surprise that their children face the same ...
  • Ask An ExpertAssessmentAssistive TechnologyBlack Boys in CrisisChild Development TechClassroom ManagementDigital & Mobile TechnologyDigital LeadershipDisabilitiesEarly ChildhoodEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech & InnovationEdTech Policy & ReformEducation LeadershipElementary EducationElementary SchoolEquityFeaturedFirst Year TeachersFreshGamificationGifted and Talented EducationHBCU'sHigh SchoolHigher EducationK-12Online Learning & eLearningOpEducationPersonalized LearningPodcastPolicy & ReformRetention & Social Promotion SeriesSpecial EducationSTEMTeacher EducationTeachersTesting

    The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 6: 8 Ways That Digital Age Teachers Avoid Burning Out

    Spread the loveBeing a teacher is a tough job. So much so, many new teachers end up leaving the field within their first three years. To ensure that the next ...
  • Ask An ExpertAssessmentAssistive TechnologyBlack Boys in CrisisBullyingChild DevelopmentChild Development TechClassroom ManagementCurrent Ed NewsDigital LeadershipEarly ChildhoodEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech & InnovationEdTech Policy & ReformEdTech Startups & BusinessesEducation LeadershipEquityFeaturedFirst Year TeachersFreshGamificationGifted and Talented EducationHBCU'sHigh SchoolHigher EducationHigher Education EdTechK-12Matthew LynchModern ParentingOnline Learning & eLearningOpEducationPersonalized LearningPodcastPolicy & ReformRetention & Social Promotion SeriesSpecial EducationSTEMTeacher EducationTeachersTestingYear-Round Schooling

    The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 5: The Archetype of a Great Teacher

    Spread the loveOne of the questions that I am frequently asked is, what does a good teacher look like? I respond by mentioning my 10th-grade Biology teacher, Mrs. Minor, and ...
  • Ask An ExpertAssistive TechnologyBlack Boys in CrisisBullyingChild DevelopmentChild Development TechClassroom ManagementDisabilitiesDiversityEarly ChildhoodEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech & InnovationEdTech Policy & ReformEducation LeadershipElementary EducationElementary SchoolEquityFeaturedFirst Year TeachersFreshGifted and Talented EducationHigh SchoolHigher EducationHigher Education EdTechK-12Middle SchoolModern ParentingOnline Learning & eLearningParent & Family TechParentingPersonalized LearningPodcastPolicy & ReformSecondary EducationSTEMTeacher EducationTeachersTesting

    The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 4: How to Create a Culturally Responsive Classroom

    Spread the loveBuilding a culturally responsive classroom is hard. To help you along your journey, here is your guide to exploring and respecting the cultural backgrounds of your students while ...

RSS Matthew on Education Week

  • Au Revoir from Education Futures November 20, 2018 Matthew Lynch
  • 6 Steps to Data-Driven Literacy Instruction October 17, 2018 Matthew Lynch
  • Four Keys to a Modern IT Approach in K-12 Schools October 2, 2018 Matthew Lynch
  • What's the Difference Between Burnout and Demoralization, and What Can Teachers Do About It? September 27, 2018 Matthew Lynch
  • Revisiting Using Edtech for Bullying and Suicide Prevention September 10, 2018 Matthew Lynch

About Us

The Edvocate was created in 2014 to argue for shifts in education policy and organization in order to enhance the quality of education and the opportunities for learning afforded to P-20 students in America. What we envisage may not be the most straightforward or the most conventional ideas. We call for a relatively radical and certainly quite comprehensive reorganization of America’s P-20 system.

That reorganization, though, and the underlying effort, will have much to do with reviving the American education system, and reviving a national love of learning.  The Edvocate plans to be one of key architects of this revival, as it continues to advocate for education reform, equity, and innovation.

Newsletter

Signup for The Edvocate Newsletter and have the latest in P-20 education news and opinion delivered to your email address!

Contact

The Edvocate
5322 Markel Road, Suite 104
Richmond, VA 23230
(601) 630-5238
[email protected]

Follow us

Copyright (c) 2022 Matthew Lynch. All rights reserved.