Assitive Technology vs Educational Technology

When I was a student in middle school I worked in the audio-visual department at our school. I helped the teachers run filmstrips, films, laminate etc.  Today I am still in special education.  While I like it to a degree I want to be in is the technology department. In fact I want to work as an educational technology specialist. That is one of the reasons, I write this blog, I need to write more often.

I also want people to read which is why I write reviews, children books, technology, teachers, professional development.  I have learned that I need to be more professional, more direct and provide better and more important information.

Let us begin with Technology and what it stands for in education.

Assistive Technology is a term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and also includes the process used in selecting, locating, and using them.

Educational Technology is defined by the Association for Educational Communication and Technology  as  “the study and ethical practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using, and managing appropriate technological processes and resources.

The definitions were copied from Wikipedia.  While Wikipedia is not the most trustworthy source, however I believe that the definition provides a place to start, a place that provide individuals with a way to help teachers teach students.

My degree, a specialist degree in education with a specialist in educational technology,  is the area that I want to stay in and help students learn and teachers to teach. Unfortunately, I need to learn to work with teachers who are need to raise the test scores of students in their classrooms, regardless of whether or not they have disabilities.

Technology is a way to help students  with disabilities, not a way to keep them occupied and/or away from the rest of the class.  Not becoming an issue. Technology. Education. Writing. Book Reivews. All important.