adaptive technology & adult literacy
DESCRIPTION
Adaptive Technology & Adult Literacy. Thank you to:. Assistive Technology Centre Nova Scotia Community College. “Through no fault of their own, they are the owners of brains that somehow don’t mesh with the demands they come up against”. Dr. Mel Levine “A Mind at a Time”. Introduction. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Adaptive Technology & Adult Literacy
Thank you to:
•Assistive Technology Centre
•Nova Scotia Community College
“Through no fault of their own, they are the owners of brains that somehow
don’t mesh with the demands they come up
against”Dr. Mel Levine
“A Mind at a Time”
Introduction
• Jennifer Hunt, Adaptive Technology Project Co-ordinator
• Action Read Community Literacy Centre
• Located in Guelph, Ontario• Community-Based Literacy
Program
Adaptive Technology used in a Literacy
program promotes:
• Access to information• Access at all levels of
education• Employment, further training
and independence
Learner Profiles
• Educationally disadvantaged• Unemployed• Self-employed• Underprivileged• 60% receiving ODSP• 2/3 are at a grade 8 academic
level
Variety of challenges for learning
• Learning disabilities• Visual impairments• Hearing impairments• Physical disabilities• Emotional problems• Mobility issues
Generously Funded by:
• Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
• National Literacy Secretariat
Phase One
Literacy & Adaptive Technology
Overview• Use of text-readers• Group of 13 individuals• Variety of learning needs
Rationale
•Learning needs were not previously being met
Assessment
•Literacy and Basic Skills Learning Outcomes Matrix
•Baseline
Text-Reading software used:
• Kurzweil 3000• Write:Outloud • Co:Writer • Read & Write (TextHelp)• ReadPlease
Outcomes
• Improvement of 1 – 2 LBS levels• Those individuals who used the
software the most, continue to use it as an accommodation
Phase Two: Adaptive Technology &
Expressive WritingOverview• Field test AT software that assists
with writing• Help bridge the learning barrier
specifically focusing on writing
Rationale
Learner criteria
• Learners who may have a learning disability, cognitive delay or physical impairment that limits them form having success with expressive writing
• Dysgraphia
Assessment
• TOWL-3• Pre - (handwritten format)• Post – (use adaptive technology as
an accommodation)
Writing software used:
• Kurzweil 3000• Read & Write• Write:Outloud• Dragon
NaturallySpeaking• Co-Writer
• Word Q• Inspiration• Draft:Builder• ZoomText• WebTalkster• ReadPlease
Outcomes
• Released on our website in August 2003
www.home.golden.net/~actionr• Observations
Access to Information
Reasons why some individuals don‘t have access to information:
• Socio-economic factors• Social isolation• Limited education
“I just want to be able to write something on my own that
people understand.”
Adaptive Technology should be available to
individuals at:ALL LEVELS
According to the Ontarians with Disabilities Act:
“Persons with disabilities face numerous barriers in gaining access to and fully
participating in society”
According to EQAO
Students taking the Grade 10 Literacy Test in Ontario have the right to the following accommodation:
• Technology uses such as the Kurzweil reader
Adaptive Technology promotes:
• Further training• Employment • Independence
Ontario Human Rights Commission
• Duty to Accommodate Section 4.4.4
• Tax deduction for accommodations in the workplace
Success =
• Increased independence• Multi-sensory approach to
learning
Thank you!
“When you get…GIVE” When you learn…TEACH”
Maya Angelou