Running head: ALTERNATIVE INPUT

Alternative Input
Jaime Delgado
College of Southern Nevada

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Assistive technology hasnt always been present throughout educations history.

Technology itself has taken a long time to be applied in the field of education. Because of the
growing use and need of education technology, alternative input devices will soon become quite
necessary.
The technological trends in education will usher in a higher demand for alternative input
devices. Technology is quickly becoming a tool of choice for teachers. There has been an influx
of technological applications and hardware inside many classrooms in the US. During my time
interviewing CCSD faculty and researching education technology, I found that there are issues
with technology in the classroom. Both of the faculty members suggested that obtaining
equipment or hardware that is up to date is a challenge at the forefront of this educational trend.
In a vacuum, the issue alone warrants attention and action. In the real world, the complications
caused by the lack of hardware and equipment only increase. For instance, special needs students
may, like their regular ed counterparts, lack the equipment necessary to tap into educational
technology. If and when the equipment is acquired, the special needs students will be at a
disadvantage in comparison to their classmates. Technological hardware being used in the
classroom is not specialized. As a matter of fact, a lot of technology in our current world is onesize-fits-all. Special needs students may experience difficulty inputting information while using
education technology. Such circumstances will force schools to consider assistive technologies
such as alternative input devices.
An example of alternative input devices that I found interesting was a numerical
keyboard. The keyboard had specific number keys that performed mouse operations. For
instance, inputting certain keys in a certain order will order the mouse to drag, click, move
left/right, etc. (Shih et al 2011). Using numerical keyboards to mimic mouse functions can bridge
the technological gap students sometimes experience. Being unable to input information or use

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certain equipment on a computer has a negative effect on students. It also creates problems for
teachers who are trying to integrate technology into education. The task of teaching learning
disabled students how to use equipment can prove equally as challenging. A troubling trend in
special education is the fact that some students have trouble using a mouse. Moreover, special
education teachers also have a hard time teaching students how to use a mouse (Shih et al 2011).
By teaching the functions of a numerical keyboard or even having them posted beside the
equipment this difficulty is diminished. Having more low-cost devices like this in special
education classrooms can only benefit students. Having this option available is much better than
not having it. Students who cannot operate a mouse can circumvent this through alternative input
devices.
Alternative input devices will help learning disabled students adapt to educational
technology. Education technology is a tool. If someone doesnt possess the means to use a tool,
then the tool is pretty much useless. That is the state of education technology to those who
cannot use or have difficulty using it. Alternative input devices allow students to overcome the
difficulty of inputting information into a computer (Bryant 1998). As technology in education
continues to increase, the need assistive technologies will increase as well. Students will be
asked to input information into various types of hardware. Learning disabled students who have
trouble performing such a task will be helped by the introduction of alternative input devices.
These devices could have the ability to emulate a keyboard/keypads function by letting students
input information (Bryant 1998). This will be a reality of educational technology instead of a
mere possibility.

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References
Diane, P. B., & Bryant, B. R. (1998). Using assistive technology adaptations to include students
with learning disabilities in cooperative learning activities. Journal of Learning
Disabilities, 31(1), 41-54. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.library.csn.edu/login?
url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/194220741?accountid=27953
Shih, C., Shih, C., & Luo, C. (2011). Development of a computer assistive input device through a
commercial numerical keyboard by position coding technology for people with
disabilities. Disability & Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 6(2), 169-175.
doi:10.3109/17483107.2010.522679