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Assistive Technology Support Initiative AT Training Part 2. This presentation is meant as a cost effect “train-the-trainer” model to train volunteers and others to support students who use AT. . Software Training.
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Assistive Technology Support Initiative AT Training Part 2 This presentation is meant as a cost effect “train-the-trainer” model to train volunteers and others to support students who use AT.
Software Training • Your local college or university may be willing to train you during certain times of year. Contact Learning Technology Centres or Student Services. • AT software companies all offer free online training and support.
Cambrian College Training • Cambrian College in Sudbury offers an online PD program for those interested in supporting students with Learning Disabilities. At a minimum take the Understanding Learning Disabilities course. • LEARNING DISABILITY SPECIALIST: LSLD/ATLD (LDED) https://secure.cambrianc.on.ca/coned/showcert.cfm?strCert=LDED.HTM
Ministry Licensed AT • School boards use a variety of assistive technology software. The two popular software programs are Kurzweil 3000 and Dragon NaturallySpeaking. • There are many other AT software programs in all price ranges. Please see the resources section of the website for more information.
Low Cost Training Options • Volunteer Software Training can be implemented in two parts: • Self paced • one-on-one or group workshop
Self Paced • Self Paced involves downloading free trials of the software programs and working through online manuals and tutorials.
Group Training • One-on-one or group training, can take place at the school, and should include detailed advice and instructions on how volunteers can help support students that use assistive and learning technology. • Please see the ATSI Volunteer Training Toolkit.
Special Equipment Amount (SEA) • Get familiar with the Ontario Ministry of Education Special Equipment Funding Guidelines • http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/funding/1011/2010-11_SEA_Guidelines.pdf
Learning Disabilities Resource Guide • Download and read this resource for educators to understand how to match assistive technology and learning strategies to the student's strengths and weaknesses. • www.disabilityissues.ca/documents/LDResour.pdf
Watch AT Videos • Review both the Student and Teacher AT videos on www.ocri.ca/at website found under the Video Tabs
Software Training • This module covers: • Kurzweil 3000 • Smart Ideas • Word Q • Dragon NaturallySpeaking • Check your Ministry of Education website for a full list of ministry licensed software
Download Software Demos • Kurzweil 3000 text to speech software • Please visit http://www.kurzweiledu.com/kurz3000.aspx • Download the 30 day trial, open Kurzweil 3000, go to the Help menu on the top right, and go to How To Videos. • Watch each video and practice on the demo copy.
SET BC Online Training • Work through the online Kurzweil 3000 training guide at: • http://www.setbc.org/setbc/curriculum/kurzweil_3000_self_directed.html
Smart Ideas Training • Download the 30 day trial http://smarttech.com/us/Solutions/Education+Solutions/Products+for+education/Software/SMART+Ideas+software • Open the software • Under the HELP Menu watch all the tutorial videos and practice each lesson
Word Q Training WordQ is a powerful, extremely easy-to-use, writing software that: • Predicts words as you type • Reads predicted words to improve choice accuracy • Predicts the next grammatically correct word automatically • Re-reads sentences as they are typed for word flow and meaning • Re-reads and highlights completed work for editing and proofreading • Reads virtually any digital text on your computer • Effectively reduces frustration, enhances confidence and accelerates learning • Supports writing in English, French, German and Spanish
Word Q Training • View the WordQ tutorial videos from this link: http://www.goqsoftware.com/try/wordq-video-demos/wordq-video-demos-page/ • To try the software, please download the 30-day trial from this link: https://www.goqsoftware.com/try/download-30-day-trial/download-30-day-trial-page/ .
Landmark College Resources • Landmark College is a school for students with dyslexia. Their website offers a wealth of AT information, tutorials and videos. • Visit https://intranet.landmark.edu/tls/OnlineTraining.cfm and review the online training resources.
Dragon NaturallySpeaking • DNS voice to text software does not offer free trials. • Visit https://intranet.landmark.edu/tls/OnlineTraining.cfm and watch the DNS videos. • Download the “Rainbow Passage” and the “Fastest Way to Accuracy” PDFs.
DNS Tips • Plug in headset before opening DNS or the microphone will not work. • Remind the student of this step as part of the routine.
Training a Student to Use DNS • If your student is using voice to text software because they have a reading disability, explain to the student that you will whisper all text to the student and the student will then repeat it into their microphone.
DNS Student Training • Explain that the student will not have to read out-loud—they only repeat what you say. • Tell them this is standard training procedure. • This is very important to relieve stress for the student and to ensure they will speak naturally during the training.
Scratch That versus Correct That • Explain the difference between “Scratch That” and “Correct That” and practice using both until the student is comfortable. • Scratch That is used when the student has said the wrong words. • Correct That is used when DNS has misunderstood what the student said.
Correcting DNS • Correcting words as you go is the fastest way to accuracy. • The student will need your help to correct spelling. • Reinforce that the extra time taken to train DNS now will pay off later in accuracy and speed.
Quickest Way to Accuracy • Read the “Rainbow Passage” with the student as the quickest way to achieve accuracy. Courtesy of Landmark College https://intranet.landmark.edu/tls/OnlineTraining.cfm
Weekly Accuracy Centre Visits • Visit the DNS accuracy centre once a week with the student and choose a different training passage. • Make this part of your weekly routine. • Once you have finished all the training passages, find new material for additional training.
Saving Voice Files • SAVE the voice files only if you have taken time to correct the misrecognitions otherwise the software will learn the mistakes. • Remind the student to save voice files or they will constantly have to retrain DNS.
Volunteer Training • Be sure to work through the ASTI Volunteer Training Toolkit Part 1 PowerPoint for specific information on supporting students who use AT to access the curriculum. • Download the presentations and customize your own training program.