For students with learning disabilities, taking tests can be especially stressful. Often, these students have to be separated from their peers in a regular education classroom so that a paraprofessional can read their tests to them. This situation is no longer the case with the use of an iPod. Students can now remain in class as they read the test on paper, see the text on the iPod screen, and listen to questions through headphones. The approach has led to better academic outcomes for these students who receive special education services. In addition, it lets students test at their own pace, hitting a button when they want a question repeated and continuing with the test as they are ready. Educators do have to learn to code software to get the text and the audio into the iPod. Using this device, though, gives students freedom to take tests without being separated from their peers, which can boost self-esteem and self-confidence in school.
Some school districts have taken the use of iPods one step further and allow students to use the device during standardized testing. In Iowa, educators developed the idea of iPods as assistive technology after discovering that other states used them to improve fluency in students learning English as a second language. Although transferring the audio of the test questions into the media player can be time consuming, educators have seen many benefits. Along with better tests scores and the reduced need for special education services, students are being tested in the least restrictive environment. (Source: The Iowa Independent)
