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Halton/Bridges Research Project. Kurzweil Professional Development Anne Hill - ahill@fanshawec.ca Marian Thorpe - thorpem@hdsb.ca. Agenda. • Process of Doing Research - Invaluable – • Introduction to the Project by Marian Thorpe: Halton Coordinator of Special Education
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Halton/Bridges Research Project Kurzweil Professional Development Anne Hill - ahill@fanshawec.ca Marian Thorpe - thorpem@hdsb.ca
Agenda • Process of Doing Research - Invaluable – • Introduction to the Project by Marian Thorpe: Halton Coordinator of Special Education • Brief Overview of Research Findings to date • Sharing from Stacey’s Class –data on student learning & teaching/learning strategies
Research Project Title Do comprehensive models of professional development for teachers, educational assistants, parents & students help improve comfort with & use of assistive technology? Does using Kurzweil help improve student reading comprehension ?
History • HDSB agreed to participate in research as it fit with our own mandate to improve PD • Extensively invested in AT and realized need to develop effective PD for staff, students and parents
Current Situation • Many competing demands on teachers - changes in curriculum, focus on improving provincial scores, more record keeping • Overall buy-in to use AT – where we really see the difference AT can make is where the teacher leaders embrace
Specific Research Measurements • Due to small response rates Unable to do formal statistical analyses therefore we will provide descriptive analyses • Comfort and Use Survey • Some mean scores show an improvement over time • Other measures pre- and post- data is almost identical, whereas mid scores tend to decrease – interesting to hypothesize reasons
Self – report: written and interview data descriptive summary 1. Many challenges outlined – • Most frequent was more PD needed for teachers, EA’s and families & Time • Speed of setting up systems and tech support issues 2. Many positive comments about PD received 3. Many Suggestions – Implemented • Evening training • Bridges provided Memory Sticks with “How To” Posters & Videos – On-Line Collaboration- Knowledge Forum Database
Self Evaluation Tools • Kurzweil Usage Log • Self evaluation rubrics
Further Research? • Research issues/questions you would like to see addressed? • Attend Dr. Karen Erickson’s Session on Action Research! Saturday: May 15- 8:30 am – 11:00 Creation Tapestry Judy Chicago