Assistive Technology Ideas for Studying and Organization

Strategies & Modifications

• Reduce clutter on desk
• Clear, simple directions, check comprehension
• Prioritize tasks with time suggestions
• Use peers/cross-age tutors/volunteers
• Attach assignments, schedule, checklist, timetable, etc. to desk
• Allow separate settings for tests/assignments
• Have student arrive early to go over day’s plan, preview materials or tasks
• Provide daily and weekly assignment sheets
• Use alternative page set-ups
• Model the activity or provide examples
• Break information into steps
• Flashlight or light pointer
• Home texts/materials for preview/review
• Seating needs & position
• Emphasize critical information
• Teach study skills and self-monitoring
• Use cooperative learning groups
• Provide guided practice
• Routines for handing in work, heading papers, etc.
• Provide essential fact list
• Teach key direction words
• Review and practice in real life situations
• Plan and teach for generalization
• Provide sequential directions (label as first, second, last, etc.)
• Use physical cues/gestures
• Use supervised breaks, if necessary
• Provide an adjusted timetable
• Use a variety of instructional strategies
• Posters
• Write oral instructions down and keep in same place

Light-Tech

• Organizers for materials (drawers, bins, etc.
• Organizers for desk
• Highlight key words and instructions
• Use a “Notebook Control System”
• Post It notes/flags
• Highlighter tape/pens and erasable pens
• NCR paper for notes
• Tape record instructions
• Use supplementary , multi-modality materials
• Use vocabulary files, cards, or books
• Pre-label, highlight, punch & collate handouts
• Pictorial schedule/assignments
• Color-coded filing system (index tabs, folders, notebooks, book covers, etc.)
• Voice output reminders for assignments, study, steps of task, schedule, etc.
• Photocopy information ahead of time
• Study sheets to organize material
• Change lighting (light on desk, back to window)
• Use a light box
• Book holders
• Prepare summary of important facts with blanks to be filled in by student during lesson
• Use overlays/acetate on text pages
• List of confusing words
• Business cards/mailing labels
• Combination analog/digital watches
• Phone dialers
• Talking clocks
• Day-timers, schedulers, and planners
• Visual strategies
• Elimination of extraneous noise
• Headphone with white noise or music

Higher-Tech

• Recorded material i.e. books on tape
• Tape lectures with number coded index
• Mini pocket/key chain recorders
• Portable electronic organizers, date books, etc.
• Voice output reminders for assignments, multiple-step tasks, etc.
• Digital recorder/voice organizers
• Videotape lesson for later review

Computer/Software

• Software for manipulation of objects, & concept development
• Software for organization of ideas & studying
• Simplifying desktop with shortcuts, etc.
• Calendar/schedule making software
• Outline in word processors
• Use of word processor templates
• Webbing, mind mapping software
• Use of word processor forms
• Study strategies using software CBSS http://cate.uoregon.edu
• Handhelds (Palm or Pocket PC)
• Personal amplification system
• Smart Board
• Classroom sound field system