Journal 5

Overcoming Obstacles (Ohio’s Lawrence School uses tablet PCs to aid students with learning disabilities)
By: Wylie Wong

Wong, Wylie (Aug/Sept 2008). Overcoming Obstacles: Ohio's Lawrence School uses tablet PCs to aid students with learning disabilities.. EDTECH: Focus on K-12, Retrieved July 29, 2008, from http://www.edtechmag.com/k12/issues/august-september-2008/overcoming-obstacles.html

This article is about a one-to-one computing program offered at Lawrence School in Ohio that educates students in grades 1 through 12 with dyslexia, attention deficit disorder and other learning differences. This program offers text-to-speech software that converts text for the student, speech recognition tool (voice-activated with a microphone converting it on screen, an electric binder for organization, and Inspiration, helps students diagram and outline their papers.

1. What can be offered for schools that do not have the funds in order to provide this resource and program for their school?
a. I would expect input from the community and parents that surround the school for their support in trying to reach out to larger resources in order to obtain the funds for the computers. Although it would be difficult the school can start off small with sharing computers and then furthering their progress with efforts.

2. Is it fair that this program is available for students with disabilities and not for all students?

a. I feel it is definitely fair because it evens the playing field out amongst all students. This program just makes it easier for students that are faced with these challenges and/or to stay on task and on an equal learning level for all students. I feel it is the same as having these students excused for access to resource teachers.