AT - Technology to Enhance Learning
Assistive technology is any device, software, or equipment that helps people work around challenges - Understood.org
By this definition, a laptop computer, smartphone, iPad, and tablet can be considered and used as assistive technology because they have built in capabilities, apps and/or software that enhance access and learning experiences, such as text-to-speech, speech-to-text, notetaking, time management, etc.
The information on this webpage is designed to help you understand how to use the built-in functionality of your devices for Reading, Writing, Notetaking and Time Management ... all things needed to be successful in college!
Reading Support
Reading may be supported by the use of Text-to-Speech (TTS), which is a type of assistive technology tool that allows people to listen to digital text read out loud. TTS may help students who struggle with reading, reading comprehension, writing and focusing.
Listed below are a few of the commonly used TTS that are built in to many of your devices:
CCC Document Converter
FREE Office 365 Account for VCCCD students
Textbook resources
Speech-to-Text
Speech-to-Text is the process of converting your spoken words into digital text. There are many different ways to refer to speech-to-text: dictation, voice-to-text, voice recognition or speech recognition. These terms all mean that you can write with your voice. You can speak your words and your words will be typed out.
Speech-to-text is useful for students who may
- struggle with spelling (they can say a word and see how it's spelled)
- think faster than they can write by hand or type on a keyboard
- have mobility limitations that affect writing or using a keyboard
Notetaking
Developing an effective notetaking process is a valuable and important skill for college students. Whether taking notes during lecture or while reading your course textbook, notetaking is the process of organizing information into an understandable format that will assist you in studying and the learning process.
Notetaking is a skill ... so it may take some time and may require some exploration as there are a variety of notetaking methods: outline, SQ4R, Cornell Method, Mapping Method, etc. And you may also find that you may utilize different notetaking processes/methods for different courses depending the subject. For example, the way you take notes in a Math course may be different than the way you take notes in your History course. And that is ok! The goal is to develop notetakings skills that work you ... notetaking skills that allow you to identify key concepts, main ideas and supporting details and organize that information in a manner that will aid your understanding, remembering and learning the subject.
Below are resources that may aid in developing your notetaking skills:
Time Management
As a college student, time management is an essential skill. "Time management is the process of organizing and planning how to divide your time between different activities. Get it right, and you'll end up working smarter, not harder, to get more done in less time – even when time is tight and pressures are high." - MindTools
Below are a few resources and techniques that may aid in helping you develop good time management skills: