Assignment: Students will select a broad technology category to research, descri

Assignment: Students will select a broad technology category to research, describe, and analyze based on the needs of an actual student or developed case study. A list of technology categories (e.g., word prediction) will be provided by the instructor. Students will then select two specific technologies within their category (e.g., WordQ and TextHelp Read & Write) as part of their analysis. In a 3-4 page paper, students should provide a description of the overall technology including its intended purpose, audience, and important features. Students then should provide a brief description of each specific technology they have selected along with a comparison of product similarities and differences. Finally the paper should include a recommendation for one of the specific technologies based on the needs of a real client or an invented scenario. Please note: it is anticipated that students will use the Internet and/or product catalogs to obtain product information and descriptions, however students are expected to reference such information using proper APA format including correct referencing both within the narrative and in the reference list.
Students are encouraged to start Googling their selected technology topic. I also provide the BoundlessAT website (https://www.boundlessat.com/) as a good place to start as this website is categorized by products corresponding to specific disabilities and/or broad technology categories. The paper should only include current and available products.
Students should reference their APA Publication Manual 7th Edition for information and examples how to properly reference information. More information on how to reference electronic materials including Internet sites can be found at https://apastyle.apa.org/learn/quick-guide-on-references along with the information provided in the APA Manual.
​Possible Technology Topics
Hardware
• Refreshable Braille Displays/Keyboards
• CCTV
• Braille Notetaker
• Optical Character Recognition Device/Scanner • Touch Screen
• Mouse Emulator
• Trackball
• Switch Interface for Computer
• Cursor Control Interface
• Compact/Mini Keyboard
Ergonomic Keyboard
• Expanded Keyboard
• Contact Switches (narrow it down to one type such as chin switch) • Joystick
• FM Amplification Systems
Software
• Voice Recognition Software
• Voice Output Word Processor Program
• Word Prediction
• Graphic Organizers
• Text Readers (only read text- such as TextHELP Read and Wrote, generally for students with
reading difficulties)
• Screen Readers (reads the entire screen such as JAWS- generally for individuals who are blind) • Screen Magnification Software
• On Screen Keyboard
• Abbreviation/Expansion Software
• Single Switch Software (may not be a category in AbleData)
* Remember: Students wishing to research other technology categories not included in this list are encouraged to do so with approval from the instructor.
NOTE: You will need to choose only ONE broad category in the list of EITHER Hardware OR Software and choose two specific programs/devices in the broad category you have selected. Some former students somewhat misunderstood and chose one board category in Hardware and one broad category in Software. Thus, they eventually chose TWO broad categories and chose only one specific program/device in each Hardware and Software broad category, which is not correct! If you are unsure about anything, please feel free to email me before you actually dive into this assignment.