SETDirect
SETDirect is an electronic newsletter for educators on assistive technology issues and resources. SET-BC publishes SETDirect to provide current information to support the implementation of technology for students with special needs in British Columbia. If you would like to be added to the SETDirect mailing list, click here to Subscribe. If you wish to Unsubscribe from SETDirect, Unsubscribe here
SET-BC Direct: June 2002 Special Education Technology-British Columbia Welcome to SET-BC Direct, an on-line newsletter for people who are interested in issues and resources regarding the use of assistive technologies in education. SET-BC Direct is intended to help teachers and other professionals who have questions regarding the implementation of technology for students with special needs. Subscribers may also be interested in the SET-BC program itself; our model for service delivery and the projects we develop to better assist students with disabilities.
In this issue:
1. SET News
1. SET News The end of another school year - This is the final issue of SET-BC Direct for the 2001-2002 school year. We hope that you have found our on-line newsletter informative, useful and interesting. We have received a great deal of positive feedback form our readers and look forward to continuing SETDirect in the new school year. Our plans continue to include: success stories, promising practices, reader surveys, and an on-line support centre for school-based teams. SET-BC Direct will also continue to provide valuable links to our website... a website that is growing in "leaps and bounds" thanks to the many educators who submit excellent resources for posting. Thanks to all who contribute to our website and to those who have provided us with positive feedback and encouragement. We wish you a pleasant and enjoyable summer!
Camp News - @Virtual Voices 2002 - The Easter Seal Camping Program and SET-BC will present a 5-day program of recreational and communication activities for 20 campers with augmentative communication needs. Camp Squamish staff will provide a full program of recreational activities, as well as 24-hour care and supervision for the campers. SET-BC will coordinate a team of speech language pathologists and technical specialists to support the campers' communication in all camp events. Visit the @Virtual Voices 2002 page for more camp information.
Camp News - @Vision Tech 2002 - The Canadian National Institute for the Blind - BC/Yukon Division, in partnership with Special Education Technology BC, will be offering the three summer camp programs for youth and teens with visual impairments. This is the fifth consecutive year these two organizations have teamed up to create innovative social and learning opportunities in the perfect setting of Bowen Island Lodge by the Sea. Visit the @VisionTech page for more camp information.
Student Stories - SET-BC highlights the stories of students who use assistive technology for writing, reading, communication and social skills on our website. We invite you to read Meagan's Story. Meagan is Deafblind and has a significant physical disability. Yet inspite of all of these challenges, she is a highly motivated writer and an enthusiastic and capable reader.
2. Training Opportunities
SET-BC Access Roadshow - The SET-BC Access Roadshow was presented throughout BC in April and May. The full day workshop presented an overview of the technology access options that are currently available for students with special needs. During this hands-on workshop, participants had the opportunity to learn about keyboard options, mouse alternatives, word prediction, and switch/scanning input methods. As participants explored the range of products, case studies were used to illustrate the process of matching student needs to technology features. View photos and more details from the Access Roadshow. For product information, the Access Technologies 2002 pdf is available for downlaod at the end of the article.
Teaching all children to read - Teams in British Columbia continue to show interest in accessing books through assistive technology. And the SET-BC Accessible Books collection continues to grow! Teams in Vancouver, Prince Rupert and on Vancouver Island met for software training and accessible books workshops. SET consultant Joe Cash authored and illustrated a book, Skipper, Sally, and Me for our collection when he hosted the Vancouver workshop. Four classrooms of intermediate students in Prince Rupert embarked on an accessible books project. The students learned how to scan graphics, record audio, and add animation to their books. They also honed their presentation skills as they tutored their peers through the work stations. Great job Prince Rupert! The SET-BC Accessible Books list will be available in the Resources section on our website in September 2002, and will contain the book title, the software application(s) in which it functions, as well as comments on the special sound and accessibility features available. Contact Constance McAvoy at the SET-BC Provincial Centre if you wish to borrow an accessible book from the library or contribute to the library collection.
Literacy Drop-In - SET-BC Vancouver Island held Literacy Drop-In sessions for school districts on the island. Teams wishing to have hands on opportunities to see exemplary software that supports math and literacy in the curriculum combined with supportive assistive technologies attended these sessions. The "Exploring Writing Software" theme night showcased the following titles: SET-BC A-T titles included: IntelliTalk II, TextHelp Read and Write, Write: OutLoud, AlphaSmart with Co:Writer Aplet, Clicker 4, Writing with Symbols 2000. and Commercial software titles included: the Edmark Reading Program, Essential Skills - Sight Words and Super Phonics, Groliers 2002, Inspiration, Kidspiration, and Don Johnston Start-To-Finish books. Contact Carol Graham or Jane Rondow for more information.
3. Project Updates
Co:Writer Study - The Co:Writer study is underway. Surveys and writing samples have been collected from more than 100 students and teachers in British Columbia. This study by the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Special Education Technology - British Columbia (SET-BC) is investigating "The Impact of Co:Writer Software on the Educational Participation of Students with Disabilities." Students selected for this study are co:writer users and have been provided service from SET-BC through one of the following category designations: Visually Impaired , Autistic , and/or Physically Disabled. Dr. Pat Mirenda, UBC, and Constance McAvoy, SET-BC are the project leaders. The project report will be available in fall, 2002.
Variety Accessible Math Project - 50 students participated in the Variety Accessible Math Project. Teams completed provincial and district training days and implemented the accessible math software in mathematics instruction in their classrooms. The project had a very positive effect on mathematics instruction for special needs users. Students, parents, and teachers reported that Math activities definitely became the cool and fun activity in the classroom. The students involved in the project enjoyed their role of "the keepers of the games." Overall, students increased significantly in their understanding of math concepts and their willingness to participate in math activities. The project report, including information on software titles and most popular activities, will be available in September 2002.
VisAble Video Telescope Project - A joint study between SET-BC and Betacom/Bridges, was established to evaluate the VisAble Video Telescope (VVT300) for educational purposes. The VVT 300 unit includes a docking station and training back pack. Seven students of varying ages and grade levels, with significant vision loss, tested this equipment in their schools. In May, Betacom Bridges staff came to SET-BC Provincial Centre to meet with SET-BC consultants involved in the project. They spoke about the challenges and successes of the VisAble Video Telescope and showed new equipment, for students with visual impairments, that is in development at Bridges Betacom. The VisAble Video Telescope Project report will be available in fall 2002.
4. Software Kudos
Teachers and parents want activities in which students can learn and use Canadian Money. Money Skills by Marblesoft fills that bill. Money Skills, one of Marblesoft"s most popular Early Learning programs, is now available for Windows computers. Money Skills 2.0 is a hybrid CD-ROM that runs on both Windows and Macintosh. Five activities teach counting money and making change using American, Canadian or European money.
Visit http://www.marblesoft.com for more software programs for special needs users.
5. Web Travel
It"s interesting to visit A-T centres worldwide. The Oxford ACE Centre has a wealth of assistive technology resources.
About ACE: The Oxford ACE Centre is an independent charity whose role is to be a centre of information, support, and training for parents and professionals in the use of technology for young people in education who have communication difficulties, both in speaking and/or writing. They offer a wide variety of services including in-depth individual assessments, information, and specialist training for parents and professionals.
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6. Partners
SET-BC's partnerships with vendors and software developers has produced major benefits throughout the years. As another school year draws to a close we want to thank all our partners.
Thank you to:
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