Assistive Technology in Education

Special educators are facing new challenges at the beginning of the 21st century as public education is being reformed by a vision focusing on measurable student outcomes. The future course of the field will be shaped by the policy and programmatic responses to several issues, including demographic changes in student populations, a lack of certified special education teachers, criticism in the public media for the rising costs of services, and debates about the preferred philosophy of service delivery for students with disabilities. Additional chapters discuss university-school collaboration, charter schools, disability studies, school violence, disproportionality in placement, male African-American teachers, and ethics.

Computers, Curriculum, and Cultural Change: An Introduction for Teachers, Second Edition is a comprehensive introduction to using computers in educational settings. What distinguishes this text from others on the topic is its focus on: *the issue of how computers are redefining our culture and society and the work of schools; *the idea of using the computer as a tool for increasing efficiency and productivity in curriculum; and *the concept of the computer as a tool not only for efficiency, but actually as a means of enhancing intelligence. This text provides students with an introduction to basic computer skills and experience, enhanced by helpful pedagogical aids, including case studies and highlighted features, such as Portfolio Development, Reflective Practice, Computing Timelines, Filmographies, bibliographical sources, and a text-linked glossary of key computer terms. Computers, Curriculum, and Cultural Change: An Introduction for Teachers, Second Edition is supported by its own Web site, with links to major computer and educational sites, that can be accessed through the Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Home Page (www.erlbaum.com ). New in the Second Edition: In addition to being thoroughly updated, a new section has been added to Chapter 1, "Creating an Electronic Portfolio," with activities linked to the standards for educational computing established by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). Electronic portfolio activities at the end of each chapter give students the hands-on practical skills they need and, at the same time, cover the necessary theoretical and conceptual material for an introductory educational computing course.

By taking simple steps in advance of teaching, educators can greatly expand the appeal of instruction on all levels, from K-12 school through colleges and universities to adult or continuing education programs. Using disks, Web pages, language translation software, listservs, and other steps can lower the cost of accommodating to the diverse needs of students with disabilities, older students, students from different cultures, and students with different learning styles, while at the same time enhancing the quality of instruction.

How have disabled Americans been portrayed by the media through the years and how are images and the role of the handicapped changing? Jack Nelson and a series of experts in communication and the disabled offer an easy-to-read overview of key issues, continuing problems, new opportunities, and new technological tools. Professionals and teachers in communication, along with experts and general readers interested in public policy and social issues, will find this short study, with its illustrations, descriptions and lists of organizations and its bibliographical materials, a handy reference.