How I Learned to Embrace Technology in a School-Based Setting

Let’s face it: Technology makes everything easier. But what are students really learning when they use apps or online games? And what is the best way to target speech and language goals using tech? I interned during the 2017–-2018 school year as a student speech-language pathologist at an elementary school for K–5 students. All the sweet children I saw loved technology, having been born into a digital world. Our main source of technology at this school was a single tablet specific for the speech-language pathology department. This tablet had tons of apps, some for articulation, some for language and some for educational games. As a student intern, I believed using technology during sessions was an “easy way out.” (Of course, this belief excluded students working with augmentative and alternative communication.) I always tried to find other things to do with my students not involving screens. I created flash cards, BINGO boards, puzzles and more non-digital activities to use. Students enjoyed these activities and I believed they were the best way to target goals. Promoting Healthy Communication in a Tech-Driven World Balancing Screen Time Use With Young Clients and Their Parents Apps That Ease Assessment of ASD and Social Learning  Then a day came when we didn’t have any breaks between sessions and the tablet seemed an efficient option for targeting goals. I was hesitant to use it at first, but once I saw the potential benefits and level of engagement with the ...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Tags: Schools Slider Speech-Language Pathology Language Disorders Speech Disorders Source Type: blogs