Assistive Technology

Name of technology: 
The technology that I chose to explore was the Quantum Leap Pad

Category of AT:
I believe that this technology covers almost all aspects of the reading categories. This assistive technology qualifies for reading comprehension and vocabulary because all the words that aren't sight words or may be hard to understand and read are in bold and when you tap the bold word with the Leap Pen a definition and context are shared with the reader. This technology also qualifies for the evaluation of reading comprehension because there are comprehension quizzes and word problems at the end of each section. These could be used as an assessment tool for teachers.


Description of how the technology works: 

This technology looks like a large plastic book with an attached pointer pen. When you open this book you can see there is a place for you to insert another paper book. When this paper book and its digital cassette is placed inside the plastic book the Leap Pen works whenever you tap any of the words on the page. The Leap Pen works to read all the "break it down", "phrase it", "hear it", "repeat", and "figure it out" buttons on the sides of the pages. These buttons, when pushed, give the reader clues to words, context, pictures and other interesting things in the book. There are several different books that are sold so a learning reader can have lots of experience working with different books.  

Which of the Universal Design for Learning principles listed below might be facilitated by this technology?  Explain how.
This technology qualifies for the engagement in learning principle. This is because this book is so chalk full of interesting facts about the readings that if a student read this book they would be able to become an expert on the books subject matter. This students could then contribute to the learning community of a classroom by sharing the facts that they learned from the book. Book reports, presentations and classroom discussions are a few of the ways this tool could benefit many students learning English. 


What types or groups of students might benefit from the use of this technology? For what learning goals might it be most effective?
This technology would mostly benefit young students or early English language learners. The extra information it provides and background to the context helps in immersing the student fully in the experience of reading. 


Do you have any concerns or reservations about this technology?
One problem with this technology is that it is meant for one student to use it at a time. Another reservation I have about this technology is that it is pretty solitary. The students in a classroom using it would have to wear headphones and they would then miss out on classroom instruction.     


Any other comments, suggestions, or recommendations you might make to a teacher contemplation the use of this assistive technology?

I would use this technology as an accommodation to a lesson. Making this technology the center of a lesson would be very difficult and it is more intended for individual use.