rwg assistive technology at lawrence 2011
DESCRIPTION
etech 2011Assistive Technology used at Lawrence School including Read & Write Gold and FluencyTutorTRANSCRIPT
Sally GarzaDirector of Technology, Lawrence
440-832-7840
Assistive Technology Program
Sally Garza Director of Technology Lawrence Upper School
ABOUT ME
Lawrence School is an independent school in Sagamore Hills and Broadview Heights, Ohio that specializes in teaching students with learning differences.
ABOUT ME
Mission: Our mission is to teach students who have distinct learning styles, ignite their potential, and inspire academic and
social success.
Vision: One day all students who learn differently will have the opportunity, encouragement and resources to fulfill their
potential and benefit society.
Slogan: Where differences are not disabilities; where great minds don't think alike.
Students typically come from unsuccessful educational settings
Bright students (average to above average IQ)Many diagnosed with:
learning differences Dyslexia Dysgraphia Dyscalculia Executive Dysfunction Expressive Language Disorder Phonological Processing Disorder Receptive Language Disorder Visual Motor Integration Diffi culties
attention deficits ADD ADHD
organizational problems & executive function issues other processing differences
LD POPULATION AT LAWRENCE SCHOOL
Multi-sensory platformOrganizational strategies embedded in
all subject areasBrain-based learning strategiesDifferentiated instructionOpportunities for social and academic
experiences and success
LAWRENCE SCHOOL TEACHING METHODS
Started in early 2003 with in computer lab
Tested every AT program on the market at the time
Had students help evaluate softwareWas it easy to use?How long was training period? Would they use it?
Students and staff selected Read & Write Gold as Lawrence School’s assistive technology software
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
Late 2004, piloted a laptop AT program with 5 students Computers without wireless service Offi ce 2000, Inspiration, and Read & Write Gold Digitized a few major textbooks/literature books for
students to “read”
Very successful pilot! Students with C’s and D’s became A & B students
within 1 school year All students in pilot program showed improved grades
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
Late 2006, built new Upper School building in Sagamore Hills to accommodate 1-1 program for 7-12 graders using assistive technology campus wideInfrastructure included:
Pervasive wireless throughout campusLaptop lockers with power to allow mid-day charging
Expanded server farm to allow digital files by students to be saved on network
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
Early 2007, opened Upper School building and rolled out 1-to-1 program to all Upper School studentsTraining included:
Tablet & laptop training for all staff and students
Read & Write Gold training for all staff and students
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
1 full day training session for pilot teachers and staff in 2005 from a vendor
Since then, have done all training in-houseTeach tools as needed to students and staff
Teach tools in short increments with opportunities to practice & play
Videos for each tool are great resource as well!
TRAINING FOR STAFF & STUDENTS
95% of students who use text-to-speech
80% use study skills tools (including screen masking)
8-10% use speech-to-textMore staff use speech-to-text than students!
2-3% use word prediction
HOW STUDENTS & TEACHERSUSE READ & WRITE GOLD
for ALL students, not just students who typically use RWGEnglish teachers use Spell Check, Word Wizard, Dictionary Tool and Homophone tools as proofreading/editing tools
Science/Math teachers use Talking Calculator conversion tools
Spanish teacher/students use Translator tool to help reinforce vocabulary and pronunciation skills
HOW STUDENTS & TEACHERSUSE READ & WRITE GOLD
Biggest challenge with our Assistive Technology program is not using Read & Write Gold or training students or staff how to use it… it is making digitized material available to students!
DIGITAL TEXT
Tried many ways to digitize textE-books
From textbook manufacturers, typically web-based/flash or html pages
PDF (eBooks from Amazon….)Public domain books
Project Gutenberg VitalSource Bookshelf Google Books
LD/Visual Disabilities resources Bookshare.org
DIGITAL TEXT
Best way for Lawrence School:Scan books ourselvesWe’ve created in-house digital library to support students’ assistive technology needs
Issues with scanning yourself:Compliancy with copyright laws of books
Students only receive digital copy if they have a physical copy of book
Control over who gets copies of what books.
Need a GREAT scanner!
DIGITAL TEXT
Textbook
Literature bookWord formatPDF format
EXAMPLES OF DIGITAL TEXT
Lower School Demystification Project Online researching for 6 th graders Topics typically written above reading level
9 th Grade Learning Strategies Class Teach skills most teachers assume students know but are
never taught We actually teach these skills, including RWG
This year all high school midterms were required to available in digital format to allow use of RWG during test Negated need for 95% of the adult readers needed for
exams
EXAMPLES OF HOW WE UTILIZE RWG IN THE CLASSROOM
English teachers Study skills tools especially for research projectsHomophone checker as just a great proofreading/editing tool
Math & Science teachersUse the Calculator Conversion tools
EXAMPLES OF HOW WE UTILIZE RWG IN THE CLASSROOM
Not just for LD kids, but for everyone!
As a “prosthetic processor” Alleviate processing needs of some readers who can
decode with a lot of effort RWG allows them to build fluency and decoding skills
without the struggle of processing and decoding
Similar to GPS Originally invented for people who struggled spatially
but almost ubiquitous in our society now and used by more than the original intended audience
HOW WE VIEW ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
Just started using in June 2010
As a summer pilot with 15 kids on a voluntary basis with no instruction to student during the pilot
Most students showed staved regression in reading skills over summer breakSome even showed progress and confidence in their reading
FLUENCY TUTOR
Sally Garza Director of Technology Lawrence Upper School [email protected] www.lawrenceschool.org
Twitter: smg421girl Technology blog at
msgarza.wordpress.com Handouts available at
www.slideshare.net/smg421
QUESTIONS