Low Tech Assistive Technology

We all love technology and the ease of downloading a new app on our i-pads but how do you replace the tactile sensory needs of some of our students. The answer is that it simply can't be done, many of our students enjoy a balance of hands on technology as much as they enjoy the next great app we download. These are a few of the low tech ideas I have used in my own learning centre.

This is a simple assembly activity made from 1 1/2 PVC pipe. I painted the corner pieces red to make them more distinct and took a picture as an example for the student.

A simple piece of clear tubing with a hole in the top for students to insert marbles is a great way for students to practice fine motor skills.











Some plastic utensils, napkins and baggies is a great way for students to develop skills they can apply to work placements at places like Bonny Lea Farm.

 You really can't go wrong at the dollar store for finding materials for students to organize. Items to be organized by colour, shape or size can be easily found here. I have used beads, flowers, shells, plastic toy animals and many others for this type of sorting activity.

These are some nuts and bolts from the local hardware store. Finding the right sized nut to fit a bolt and using the fine motor skills needed to put them together is a great activity for some students.

This is a simple reproduction of the Weather Network website page. This is simply some bristol board, photocopier a laminating machine and some time. The student changes the information daily by looking up and viewing the website. This could be modified to suit any students special interests.

File folders in which a student has to match shapes can be easily made by purchasing two sets of the same stickers. Laminate one set into a folder and the other separately, place some velcro on the back of the stickers and you have a new activity.

It seems like a simple concept, sweeping up the floor but the act of crouching, holding the dust pan at the right angle and sweeping dust in can be more than some students can handle. A stand up dust pan can make all the difference in the world and allows some students to successfully clean up their own mess.

The act of putting soil in a pot planting a seed or plant, mulching it, watering it and watching it grow helps students understand many scientific processes and teaches them to be responsible for the care of something. Having some low tech programming for students can be a great learning experience.