Debugging the future: quality of life, academic success and student acceptability of assistive technology

Abstract

Research has shown that integration of Assistive Technology (AT) in the educational environment is minimal but can offer life-changing benefits. My study explores the obstacles of AT and the relationship between acceptability of AT and student quality of life as well as individual self-reported academic success. I surveyed two existing groups of students at a regional comprehensive university. The first group is receiving assistance through instruction and tutoring services. The second group is receiving support to pursue future doctoral studies. Participants provided self-report of their academic strengths and challenges, acceptability of AT, and quality of life. I offered participants multiple opportunities to learn about and engage in different types of AT. Types of AT offered included: Read and Write Gold 10 (2013 Texthelp Ltd, 2013) Grammarly (Grammarly, Inc., 2013), and Dragon Naturally Speaking (Nuance Communications, Inc., 2012-2013). I predicted that higher self-reported academic challenges would increase acceptability towards AT and decrease self-reported quality of life. I also predicted that students with higher GPA would be less accepting to AT interventions. I found that there was no correlation between GPA and acceptability of AT or self-reported academic struggles and acceptability of AT. I did however find a significant negative correlation between quality of life and self-reported academic challenges

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