This step will help you answer these important questions:
- Which technology do you need for your chosen activity?
- Which educational technology is available?
- Who can help you navigate, understand and access available technologies?
Answering these questions will allow you to begin designing the use of specific technology for your chosen activity based on your students’ needs. Most schools have at least one person responsible for technical support. This person knows all of the software available in the school and should have a list of them on hand, often accompanied by a short description. If this is not the case, check for the list of available software on the computers in your classroom or lab by exploring the program menus. Maybe a colleague who has used a specific software can give you a brief description of it. You can also get a description and examples of software application through the Ontario Software Acquisition Program Advisory Committee or through the Ontario Educational Resource Bank.
SNOW has extensive resources explaining different assistive technologies, accessible documents and media, and alternative formats.