Simple Technology, continued

Old fashioned green and white tractor feed computer paper. Turned sideways, its standard rulings, now oriented vertically, can provide a great visual aid for doing math problems or organizing other materials that need to be lined up one above the other. Standard graph paper is another similar potential aid to alignment.

Enlarged Sheet. A student who needs more room in which to print or write can be given an extra-large sheet to write on and then have the answers transferred to a conventional-size answer sheet by an adult. If writing is presenting difficulties with math problems, try providing more than usual space for calculations between the successive problems; changing the format of assignments (e.g., write answers only); or increasing the size of print on a worksheet or answer sheet by enlarging on a photocopier.

Math Line. Another low tech tool to support math computation is the Math Line. This is a set of simple color coded spools that can be moved and grouped to help a student understand the computation. It is from Howbrite Solutions, Inc. (800-505-MATH, http://www.howbrite.com).

Others. For a student with a physical disability, more creative but still low tech ideas can make it possible for her/him to independently demonstrate knowledge. The use of pre-inked stamps to complete worksheets or mark a copy of a test booklet may allow independent responses. Using a magnet with answers on metal surface is another “low tech” alternative for multiple choice assignments, fill-in-the-blank or other sentence completion activities. Pre-prepared answers printed on thick cardboard are attached to magnets. The student doing the assignment pushes the correct “answer” across a line or into a designated space in one corner of the metal surface. A large cookie sheet with a lip can work well to hold the magnets and keep them corralled.