Adaptable tool box
In our Technology Lab, we continuously make adaptations to help our students achieve success. We use a combination of purchased technology items and created adapted technology items to build a successful learning environment . We often do lots of repurposing and reinventing of familiar items. Here are just a few of our modifications and budget friendly ideas.
creating texture overlaysWe have students with visual impairments that make the ipad less effective. They are at the single touch activation level but there is no difference in the feeling on an ipad. We are working with this by putting our ipad inside a sheet protector and adding a texture to where we want the student to press to activate the ipad. This will only work on activities where they press in the same place each time.
repurposing unused furnitureWe inherited an old mirrored display case when we moved into our new Tech Lab space. The unit is bolted to the wall and it would have been tough to remove. After the dangerous glass shelves and doors were removed we were able to make a great light/sensory station.
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Fidget boards & desksMany of our students are motivated by texture and sound. We created these boards and desks for those students to engage in our tech lab experience in an academic and age appropriate manner. The black square in the center or the carpet square is where we will place a switch for student's turn during group activities or for their direct computer access. While waiting for their turn, students have technology items to keep their hands busy and keep them engaged. These boards are easily created with some hot glue and imagination.
diy light boxSwitch activated box with lights is an inexpensive, DIY, and popular tech lab station. Made from a dollar store plastic box with holes, holiday lights and zip ties, Plugged into a PowerLink to become a favorite switch activity!
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fluorescent light shades for your classroom
diy Ipad stand- ikea lap desk &command hooks
These pictures show ways that we have found to use some pretty common items to mount an ipad in a heavy duty case. Command hooks can be attached to the surface (here an ikea lap desk) and it can either hold from the top, the bottom if you need a vertical stand, or on all 4 sides for a more permanent mount. The hooks fit in the grooves of the case and with the nonslip surface that the case already provides, it is a pretty tight hold.