The Implementation, Training, Assessment of Assistive Technology at a Learning Disabilities College

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The Implementation, Training, Assessment of
Assistive Technology at a Learning Disabilities
College
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Background of Beacon College

• VIDEO

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Background of Beacon College

• Founded in 1989 by a group of parents wanting a
  college for their children with a learning
  disability.
• Students must have a documented learning
  disability to be considered for admission

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Current State of AT at Beacon College

• Software and Hardware housed in Writing Center
• Writing Center is Staffed with two Learning
  Specialists

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Types of AT at Beacon College

• High Tech AT
• Speech to Text Software
• Dragon Naturally Speaking
• Via Voice

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Types of AT at Beacon College

• High Tech AT
• Kurzweil3000
• Humanware
• Text Help Read Write Gold

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Types of AT at Beacon College

• High Tech AT
• Adobe Reader
• Screen Reader/ Word Search
• Word Q

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Types of AT at Beacon College

• High Tech AT
• Inspiration

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Types of AT at Beacon College

• High Tech AT
• Microsoft Windows Accessibility Features
• Electronic Faculty Notes
• The College will provide requested AT devices to
  students

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EBooks

• The Writing Center Provides EBooks for Courses
• WC contacts publishers by phone or website to
  access EBook.
• Access to file requires filling out a form.
• Receive books in .pdf or other type of format
  that is specific to certain readers.
• WC converts files to use on Kurzweil

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Bookshare.org

• Create Accounts for students
• Free access to books
• www.bookshare.org

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Types of AT at Beacon College

• Low Tech Devices
• Various Highlighting
• Colored Paper
• Magnifiers
• Readers
• Scribes
• Various colored sticky notes

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Organizational Chart of AT Users and
Administrators
Faculty
Parents
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Director of Information Resources

• Assess AT needs
• Institutional Surveys
• Current Trends and Products
• Student specific requests
• Through IEP or evaluation

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Director of Information Resources

• Provide training to Learning Specialist on new
  software
• Organize vendor training

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Director of Information Resources

• Assess Effectiveness of AT
• Student feedback
• Feedback from Faculty and Staff

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Learning Specialists

• Receive training on AT devices and software.
• Evaluate student needs for AT.
• IEP
• Student/Parent feedback.
• Student response to specific AT

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Learning Specialists

• Respond to Faculty concerns.
• Student reading/written skills.
• Review student backgrounds
• Recommends Lo/high tech AT
• Oversee Writing Center

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Learning Specialists

• Work with students on learning skills.
• Aid in training students to use High Tech / Low
  Tech AT

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Student

• Introduced to Writing Center during orientation.
• Overview of AT and its availability.
• College Success Course
• Students research their LD and ways to compensate
  for LD.

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Student

• Freshman required to take Introduction to
  Computer Information Systems course.
• Section of course is related to AT.
• What is it?
• Different types of AT available.
• How can it enhance your learning?

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Student

• Students are able to take Introduction to AT
  course
• Exposed to AT
• Learn more about how to compensate for their
  learning disability

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Current AT Assessment

• Students currently self assess AT usage.
• Through course evaluations.
• Institutional Surveys
• To self assess technology learning
• Learning Specialist Evaluations

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Testing Assessment

• Students responding to survey in AT course
• Self-assess identifying potential AT
• Self discovery for student

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Excerpt From Assessment (de Jonge, Scherer,
Rodger )
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Excerpt From Assessment (de Jonge, Scherer,
Rodger )
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Expanded Assessment

• Assess Alumni Use of AT
• AT usage in the workplace.
• Measure Effectiveness of use of AT.
• Find appropriate measures.
• Pretests /Posttests
• Researching other assessments

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Sample AT Assessment Tools

• ATA AT Mini-Assessment
• http//www.ataccess.org/resources/atk12/miniassess
  ment.html
• WATI Assessment Forms
• http//www.wati.org/assesmentforms.htm

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Sample AT Assessment Tools

• RESNA Resource Guide for Assistive Technology
  Outcomes Assessment Instruments, Tools,
  Checklists From the Field

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Thank You!
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