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Steps to Learning
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 Learning
to Activate a Switch
Most students with severe disabilities learn to activate a switch. They learn
to turn on music, a fan, a toy or a similar device by pressing or releasing a
switch with some part of the body. Students may also use a switch to play
cause-and-effect computer activities.
Making Choices is Random
Not all of these students, however learn to make choices using the same method.
Their understanding of choice making seems to be limited to either choosing or
refusing to hit the switch. Choices using a single switch on a computer often
appear to be random and not cognitively planned by the student. Assessing the
child's skills and interests should help alleviate the problem but this is not
always the case.
Assessment is Trial and Error
Assessing a student's skills is often a trial and error approach. Consequently
these students may spend their critical learning years in the assessment
process rather than the learning process. Educators need to constantly teach,
observe change and make adjustments throughout each learning experience.
Assessment should lead to best practices in teaching.
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