| In an ideal world, students with special needs would have the opportunity to use a wide range of technologies to learn to take part in classroom activities in all grades and curriculum areas. They would use word prediction software, alternate keyboards, screen reading software, and/or voice-output communication aids to overcome barriers to participation and learning.
Beginning in the 1997-98 school year SET-BC Region
One (Vancouver Island & Central
Coast) embarked upon a three year Assistive Technology Team Training project.
The project involved the training of small 3-5 person teams in 12 school districts.
The geographics of the region as well as the unwieldiness of working with 12
teams simultaneously forced the project to be conducted as three separate training
sessions. In each session four teams from a similar geographical area--north,
mid and south--were trained together.
The goals of the project were:
- to focus on improving district capacity to support students using assistive technology
- to train district teams - focus on improving district process for supporting students using assistive technology
- to train individuals - focus on strategies for implementing assistive technology to meet students' curriculum goals
The participants of the project were:
- educators from each participating school district
- team members who were selected by the district included:
- resource teachers
- vision teachers
- classroom teachers
- speech/language pathologist
- occupational & physical therapists
- administrators
The training sessions involved:
- discussion on current district capacity
- a review of district technology resources
- updates on new technology
- ways to include technology into IEPs
- ideas for curriculum implementation
- strategies for training and transition
Assistive Technology Teams rated their district capacity to support students
in the following processes:
- identifying students for technology use
- matching student needs to technology
- planning for classroom implementation
- training students and staff
- sharing resources and strategies
- supporting student transitions
Specific projects that teams were given:
- review of current district capacity
- case studies of students using Assistive Technology
- district surveys of need for resources, training and transition
- designing district plans for resources, training and transition
The 12 school district teams reported:
- improved cohesion of district teams and increased ability to coordinate district services
- better long term planning for students, including transition planning
- facilitation of district-wide training programs
- more attention to collection and sharing of technology resources
- improved implementation of technology in the curriculum
Some comments from participants at the completion
of the project when asked "What
elements of this team training session were most useful to you?"
- opportunity to discuss and network with others, including colleagues within our district and those of other districts
- finding out what other people (teams) are doing - what works, what doesn't
- time to work out plans as a team!
- the case study was very valuable--got us meeting together in district and brainstorming
- because of these meetings, our team came up with a proposed plan to have ongoing computer workshops provided by district personnel
- increased responsibility within district for inservice
- transitional meetings are better organized - there is now a plan!
- we have become more confident in knowing our needs and the ability to search for resources
The following is a list of websites that were highlighted during the project.
- The Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative site includes the document Education Tech Points. This document provides a framework for Assistive Technology Planning which is a tool to help school distrcits determine and meet assistive technology needs. The address is http://www.wati.com.
And if you are unsure about the quality of a certain piece of software, go to
www.childrenssoftware for software ratings.
Resources:
Software download Site:
Submitted by:
Lois & Ted
Lois Turner, Assistive Technology Consultant, Region One
Ted Tyrrell, Regional Coordinator, Region One
For more information, contact Lois Turner lturner@setbc.org or Ted Tyrrell ttyrrell@setbc.org
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