Project Description
The Learning Disabilities and Technology (LD & Tech) project was a collaborative effort among participating school districts in Washington State, the Special Education Technology Center (SETC) at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, and RMC Research Corporation in Portland, Oregon. Schools and classrooms were chosen for this project based on their high poverty index and high need for technology.
The project provided each participating school with a variety of computer hardware and software focused on helping students with learning disabilities read and write effectively, keyboard successfully, and organize their thoughts. The project also provided the training necessary for teachers and students to use the equipment and software.
Each participating school identified approximately 10 learning disabled (LD) students per school year with demonstrated willingness to learn. These students used the equipment and software throughout an entire school year to improve their skills and to assist with their reading, writing, and keyboarding. The LD students then reinforced their skills by mentoring regular education students in the use of the technology.
Through the mentoring process, LD students had an opportunity to become experts in the use of certain technologies and to improve their own writing and communication skills. Additionally, the regular education students became familiar with the technology and applied the skills learned to their regular classes.