Classroom Accommodations
For information regarding hearing technologies, visit our Assistive
Technology page in this module.
Tips for a successful
classroom environment - This is a page of tips for making the
classroom environment success for learners with hearing loss. They
include information about making the classroom more visual and tips
for facilitating communication. Also, be sure to see page 13 of
this module, Communication
in the Classroom.
Online Presentation - Assistive and Instructional Technology in Deaf Education
Online Presentation - Writing with Technology Supports: Writing in the Content Areas
Notetaking - Notetaking is a very useful accommodation
for a student with hearing loss. The individual with hearing loss
needs to visually attend to many things to access information including
anything displayed by the instructor and students, the mouth movements
of the individuals speaking, and an interpreter (oral or sign language).
If the student looks down at their paper to take notes they lose
the ability to attend to the lecture or other activities taking
place. Using a notetaker allows the student to have a backup even
if they do take notes or try to capture in writing ideas and points.
Notetakers do need training to do this job effectively. Also, there
are many technologies that can assist notetakers in this task, such
as using an Alphasmart
or Dana or a newer technology, digital pens that save everything written on memory built into the pens. One example is the ioPen by Logitech.
Captioning - Captioning as an accommodation refers
to different things, the use of captioned media and the use of real-time
captioned presentation of verbal information. All students benefit
from seeing captioning on screen, especially as they are learning
new vocabulary. Luckily, captioned materials are available free
for students who have hearing loss, their teachers, and their families.
Interpreting - There are many issues related to
interpreting in educational settings. The most important thing to
consider is the child, as with any other accommodation. Many states
are currently looking at certification requirements for interpreters.
There is a great shortage of certified interpreters. Companies are
beginning to offer remote interpreting through Internet and video
conference technologies. Another very important issue to realize
is student training to use an interpreter. Often the interpreter
is the only person the student can communicate with fluently, easily
in their educational setting. It is important to teach the child
to use the interpreter appropriately and to advocate for their own
needs, including learning to be comfortable initiating conversation
with their teacher and classmates.
More information about interpreting is available on our Using
an Interpreter page in this module.
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