mATchup Tool

DESCRIPTION: The mATch up Tool provides information on low, mid, and high tech devices for meeting the unique needs of students. The tool was designed with a variety of users in mind – teachers, parents, administrators, and in some cases, students themselves. The idea is to provide a handy, ready-access way of gathering information on tools that might help open access to academic and non-academic settings. Begin exploring the mATch up Tool with this activity.

ACTIVITY

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mATch up Tool and its collection of resources.

CONSIDER: You are responsible for helping your class meet high curriculum standards. While the majority of your students are meeting expectations, you are concerned about five particular students.

JAMES: Enjoys science and math. James is particularly good at demonstrating math solutions for the class. Slow reader, which impedes his progress in science and other classes with high reading demand. Seems to progress much faster when paired with other students who have stronger oral reading skills. Positive class leader.

MARIE: Strong visual learner. Artistically talented. Marie had strong decoding skills, but has difficulty with reading comprehension. She seems to have more difficulty with tasks that rely solely on listening and processing auditory information.

SAM: An active learner with a wide range of interests and enthusiasm. Sam participates well in large group discussions and demonstrates strong verbal skills. Sam struggles with keeping track of assignments and materials. He has many overdue assignments. Handwritten work is slow and illegible. Completed assignments are well done and demonstrate deep understanding and critical thinking.

JOSE: Recently seen by the speech-language pathologist for speech and language difficulties. Grade level team wonders if a mild hearing loss explains some of Jose’s delays. He is quiet and well-liked by his peers, but seems to have difficulty keeping up with language demands academically, and socially. Once he understands a task, Jose exceeds expectations.

BRITTANY:Conscientious student who struggles to produce neat written work. This is particularly true when Brittany copies math problems from the textbook for homework. She tends to place her head close to any print material and works slowly to orient written work on the page. She is a proud learner, but often disappointed in the quality of her own work.

TASK: Use the mATch up Tool to choose a variety of devices and services that may help these students succeed in the classroom.Consider tools across technology continuum: Low, Mid, and High Tech.

  1. Open the mATch up Tool: Or go to the Teaching All Studentschannel, click Assistive Technology and click mATch up Toolon the right side of the page.
  2. Consider the student profiles above and explore tools across the technology continuum (Low, Mid, and High Tech) that might help them experience success.
  3. Note which tools you consider and think about ways you might use the mATch up Tool in your professional practice.
  4. Participate in an online discussion about the mATch up Tool. To participate in the discussion:
  5. Click Discussion on the left navigation bar for Teaching All Students (
  6. Look for Exploring Maryland Learning Links and click the mATch up Tool discussion forum.
  7. Read the prompt provided.
  8. Click Reply.
  9. Type your comments in the Entry box.
  10. Click Submit.