In college you will face new learning challenges. There will be more reading and writing. You will have more teachers and your classes will be spread out across a bigger campus. You will have to find good places to study and become familiar with the library and computer lab. It is good to get ideas now about how to meet these learning challenges in your future. Some of those solutions might be simple. In this activity you will explore the effects of using everyday items. This is experimental, so keep an open mind.

 

	List some everyday items (2 or 3 ideas) that you have not tried yet. Don't limit yourself. Get ideas from your family, friends, and teachers. Add items to column C and D on the Assistive Technology Self-Evaluation Guide. Choose one of the everyday items you would like to try and write a little plan. Include: The task you are trying to make easier The item you want to try How you plan to use it Here is how Mario explained his plan to his teacher:
	I have trouble writing because my fingers get cramped when I hold a pen. When I was working in a day care center with some children, I found that I could hold onto the thick markers much better than the thin pens. I started using the thick marker to take notes in class but I obviously can't use it to write my assignments. I would like to find a way to make writing my assignments easier. I'd like to try wrapping different things around a thin pen. Discuss your plan with your teacher and/or family member. As you share your thoughts, consider the need to discuss your plan with other teachers.
	Try out your plan and evaluate how it worked. Consider: Did using the everyday item make schoolwork easier? How? What worked well? How could it work better? What effect (if any) did it have on the teacher or others in the class? How did I feel about going through this process?
	Add this new information to the Assistive Technology Self-Evaluation Guide, columns C, D, and E. Discuss with your teachers and/or family members what you learned and how you feel about using this everyday item.
	Repeat this process with other everyday items. Sometimes a slight change in how you use something may make the difference between success and failure. Keep experimenting.

Note: If you are currently using “high-tech” assistive technology, continue with Activities 13, 14, and 17. If you are not currently using “high-tech” assistive technology, skip Activities 13 and 14 but continue with Activities 15, 16, and 17.