Personal Learning Devices

• Is this instructional technology, adaptive technology, or both? What is important to consider when using it initially, in class, and for the longterm? What are the goals of using this technology?

Personal Learning Devices are both instructional technology and adaptive technology. It can be used to run programs in ABA classrooms, help students practice math/literacy skills through games, provide basic fact-check apps for young students/low-functioning students, etc. As for iPads being used for adaptive purposes, apps like proloquo2go can become a voice for students who are nonverbal.

However much potential personal learning devices hold for students, especially students with disabilities, it is important to receive the proper training and to give the proper training to students to use for educational purposes. Initially, it is important to set up the proper guidelines on how and when these devices are to be used. Too many times have I seen iPad used solely for games during social centers. Although these games may provide the platform for reinforcement for good work or for social skills training, it is hard to see the benefits of one child hovering over a game while the other waits aimlessly. Thus, setting up these goals and guidelines to match the child's needs are necessary to use iPads to their maximum potential.

• What did you think? What were potential accessibility issues? How would you change it?

Overall, I think iPads can be important devices in supporting student learning. They have high reinforcing value and technological advantages that could be an added benefit in the classroom. Additionally, as much as the iPad does well to account for all kinds of users, it may be difficult for some with motor coordination, and the voice accessibility option for users that are deaf/hard of hearing is quite difficult to use after switching from the general option.