Technology+Screening

We chose to do our tech screening on a student named Bobby, who is in 7th grade. We used the Personal Choices survey that was provided to determine our results. Our results for each section are as followed:


 * Eye Movement**: When completing the eye movement section, Bobby mostly looked up and back. We discovered that visual pictures and words work best when working with him. It would be helpful to use calenders with icons and organizers with To do lists.
 * Color**: Bobby was able to read black ink and larger font the best. This is the most basic and easiest for him to read.
 * Lighting**: Sunlight is ideal for reading and writing. Regular light bulbs work too, but they are not the best option.
 * Highlighting**: Yellow made the text pop out the most to Bobby. The other colors used were pink, blue, orange, green, and purple.
 * Copying**: Bobby had problems with all of the copying areas (copying from a book or paper on his desk, copying accurately, copying fast enough, and copying from the board). We found that a yellow filter helped Bobby the most with copying. It also helped to copy above the paper, and to have the book and paper flat on his desk.
 * Paper**: Raised-line paper is ideal because he can feel it. Wide-ruled is also good because it gives him more room to write. Margin lines are needed and it made it easier for Bobby if we marked it with a Sharpie in order for him to stay on the lines.
 * Doing Math Computations**: Bobby did the best with a calculator with bigger keys. A screen print out also made a difference. Grid paper always helps, 2/3 inch is preferred.
 * Pens, Pencils, and Erasers**: Bobby is able to write more accurately if he uses thicker pens and pencils with a padded or gel grip. He usually uses regular tip pens with blue ink, and pencils with separate erasers makes it easier for him to erase.
 * Using Books on Tape**: We found that books on tape are extremely helpful for Bobby because he becomes more focused.
 * Working with Maps**: There was a slight improvement with pocket and bar magnifiers, but still difficult for him to read.
 * Music in the Background**: Music is a definite no no for Bobby. It bothered him and made it harder to concentrate.
 * Marking the Place**: Bobby likes hefty tabs the best to help him mark the page because they were sturdy and simple.
 * Organizing**: Organization is very difficult for Bobby. We found that visual schedules and timers are helpful.

Area that we explored further: Copying

Specific recommendations: We recommended for Ms. Honadle to use the yellow filter to help Bobby with copying because it helped him with the spacing between his letters and reversing/omitting letters. It may also help if she allows Bobby to read from the computer, however she should be sure to make the text one color and the background another. She could possibly highlight the background in yellow since that is an easy color for him to read. Also instead of having Bobby copy text from the board by handwriting, we could possibly see if typing would work because some students find it easier to type than it is to write. Typing may also increase the speed of Bobby's writing.