Is there a difference between assistive and educational technology?
There may be a very fine line between educational and assistive technology; they are often interrelated. One way of looking at the difference is that assistive technology is more personal to the student, whereas educational technology is more classroom-based. However, the distinction is becoming blurred as, for example, visual supports for literacy are used in classrooms and as computers are being used more often in all areas of education. Instead of focusing on educational vs. assistive technology, the concept of “Universal Design for Learning” is being developed. “Universal Design for Learning” is a relatively new term, but it incorporates age-old, basic principles of good teaching through different modes. It involves using technology that allows students to access educational materials through their strongest learning mode. Universal design provides equal access to learning, not simply equal access to information. It does not remove academic challenges; it removes barriers to access
