University Presentation Showcase: Undergraduate Division
Understanding Assistive Technology
Presenter Hometown
Pikeville
Major
Elementary Education and LBD
Department
Special Education
Degree
Undergraduate
Mentor
Jiyeon Park
Mentor Department
Special Education
Recommended Citation
Gilliam, Riley K. and Laswel, Savanna N., "Understanding Assistive Technology" (2024). University Presentation Showcase Event. 9.
https://encompass.eku.edu/swps/2024/undergraduate/9
Abstract
Technological advancement has broadened the educational benefits for students with disabilities, increasing accessibility in inclusive settings. The technological aids are commonly referred to as assistive technology, which are any technological items that assist individuals with disabilities. While AT service is a major contributor to academic success and research shows the positive effects of AT, it is frequently underutilized in educational institutions. Understanding the necessity of AT knowledge and practice, we examined college students’ perspectives toward AT and knowledge for implementing AT service. We visited eight sessions of Introduction to Special Education courses at the beginning of fall 2023 semester. A total of 216 EKU students participated in the survey. The results showed the low level of knowledge and some misconceptions surrounding AT service (e.g., “AT devices would give students with disabilities unfair advantages”). College students who have experience with disabilities (e.g., myself, family members, classmates, etc.) demonstrated more positive perspectives compared to those without experience.
Presentation format
Poster
Understanding Assistive Technology
Technological advancement has broadened the educational benefits for students with disabilities, increasing accessibility in inclusive settings. The technological aids are commonly referred to as assistive technology, which are any technological items that assist individuals with disabilities. While AT service is a major contributor to academic success and research shows the positive effects of AT, it is frequently underutilized in educational institutions. Understanding the necessity of AT knowledge and practice, we examined college students’ perspectives toward AT and knowledge for implementing AT service. We visited eight sessions of Introduction to Special Education courses at the beginning of fall 2023 semester. A total of 216 EKU students participated in the survey. The results showed the low level of knowledge and some misconceptions surrounding AT service (e.g., “AT devices would give students with disabilities unfair advantages”). College students who have experience with disabilities (e.g., myself, family members, classmates, etc.) demonstrated more positive perspectives compared to those without experience.
