Go to previous article
Go to next article
Return to 2005 Table of Contents
Presenter(s)
Stephanie Bassler, M.A.
De Witt & Associates
700 Godwin Avenue, Suite 110
Midland Park, NJ
201-447-6500
Email:Stephanie@4dewitt.com
Assistive Technology trainers for the Blind and Visually Impaired serve a diverse population from kindergarten to senior citizens. This presentation will focus on methods and lessons trainers can use to make their training more effective.
The ways in which people learn to use technology can vary widely depending upon their age, circumstance and prior exposure to computer technology. A good trainer needs to have a wide variety of tools at his/her disposal to make sure they are teaching effectively.
De Witt & Associates field trainers work regularly with all these different populations in the several different programs we operate on behalf of the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. This presentation will draw from the entire staff's experience with various populations and the methods that have worked in the field day after day.
In our Education Regional Technical Assistance Center (ED RTAC), we work with students and their teachers in grades K-12 integrating Apple computers, notetakers, Mountbattens and Braille production technology into the mainstream classrooms. Our Computer Proficiency for Students program works with middle school age students in their home once a week to teach them to become power users of computers. While children are usually excited about computer technology and willing to try new things, their attentions spans are usually short. It helps to have a ready supply of activities that can keep their attention and help them learn while having fun.
In our AccessTech program we work with senior citizens and others in libraries and senior centers helping students to learn the use of the Internet and e-mail and assistive technology. Seniors are often being introduced to technology for the first time and need a more structured approach. They often lack keyboarding skills and are sometimes afraid to use technology.
In our Vocational Rehabilitation RTAC we work with adults who are looking to assistive technology as a tool toward gaining employments need a focus on the software and tools that can help them work productively. These students often need to learn to use a variety of different hardware and software products. They also very often have little time in which to gain these skills.
In our Computer Access Training program we work with pre-vocational adults providing an introduction to the basics of assistive technology. In our Bridge programs we provide adults with a comprehensive introduction to the Microsoft Office suite of programs with assistive technology.
In this presentation Stephanie Ball-Bassler V.P. and COO of De Witt & Associates will discuss:
Lesson plans and activities that can help instructors keep school-age clients interested and excited about learning assistive technology.
A unique course designed to teach senior citizens how to use assistive technology to improve their lives.
Using print tutorials and pre-packaged curriculum to augment your existing training.
The essentials of keyboard instruction, how to do it quickly and software programs that can help.
The importance of structured lesson plans to good teaching.
Multiple uses of assessment including, promoting better student retention, adjusting teaching methods to different learning styles and providing a smooth transition when instructors change.
Samples lessons and demo software will be distributed and discussed.
De Witt & Associates is a New Jersey based training firm specializing in the use of computers and assistive technology for persons who are blind or visually impaired. Our training staff works with K-12 students, adults in vocational settings and senior citizens.
Go to previous article
Go to next article
Return to 2005 Table of Contents