Utilizing assisted technology in school districts

Show Notes

• 01:41
  Teacher shortage in public education

  There is a shortage of qualified teachers, leading to about 405,000 vacancies in the United States. This shortage affects various subjects, with teachers often being assigned to subjects they're not trained in, impacting the quality of education for students.
• 02:43
  Assistive technology in education

  To tackle the teacher shortage, we should consider using assistive technologies in schools. While some may be hesitant due to misconceptions, schools using these technologies have seen significant improvements, especially for students with disabilities or language barriers.
• 03:59
  The benefits of assistive technology

  Some schools are using assistive technology, particularly for literacy, and they're seeing remarkable academic growth, surpassing traditional classrooms by two to three years. Despite existing data proving its effectiveness, more widespread adoption is needed to benefit students.
• 04:32
  School districts and assistive technology

  Some progress is being made on the East Coast, especially with schools facing language barriers due to the recent influx of migrant students. However, there's still a need for greater support and widespread adoption of assistive technology.
• 05:40
  Language support in assistive technology

  OrCams assistive technology can translate into all languages, but they prioritize based on schools' needs to keep costs manageable. By focusing on languages most needed by schools, they ensure affordability and accessibility for a wider range of students.
• 06:35
  OrCams assistive technology device

  Originally designed for the visually impaired, the device has been adapted for educational use, offering features like reading text aloud and language translation New Jersey schools use it to empower students with learning challenges, promoting independence and accessibility.
• 08:21
  Funding for assistive technology in education

  Schools can use Medicaid reimbursements or federal entitlements to fund the OrCam device if it's included in a student's individualized education or language plan. OrCam has made the devices more affordable by focusing on features essential for school use.
• 09:36
  The accessibility of OrCam's technology

  OrCams technology is customizable, allowing individuals to purchase features based on their specific needs and budgets. The device can be purchased by students, schools, and parents.
• 11:04
  Teacher engagement with assistive technology

  Teachers often advocate for the device's implementation in their classrooms after observing Orcam's demos. By eliminating the need to slow down for struggling students, teachers can increase rigor and pacing, benefiting all students and reducing discipline issues.
• 13:40
  The expanding use of assistive technology in education

  While classroom sets were initially used, individual device assignments are now more common to ensure students have full accessibility and independence across all classes. Furthermore, interest is expanding to universities as well for students with dyslexia and cognitive impairments.