Assessment helps learners to:
Assessment is today’s means of modifying tomorrow’s instruction.
This is a useful way of ensuring that various factors are taken into consideration when implementing a solution. It was created by Joy Zabala and she has some excellent SETT model resources
Student:
- What makes your learners unique?
- We all use technology in different ways, our learners are no different.
Environment:
- Where will your learners need this access?
- What considerations do you need to have for different locations?
Task
- What are your learners trying to achieve?
- Providing a purpose is essential.
Tools
- What solutions fit the requirements?
- Technology that is the right fit.
When assessing it is important to have a plan of evaluating the effectiveness of the Assistive Technologies you are recommending. This helps to adjust the solution where necessary, prove to stakeholders the importance of the technology and to show the learner the progress they are making.
A useful resource to help with gathering evidence is “How do you know it? How can you show it?”
(Reed, Bowser and Korsten (2004))
It can guide you to:
Profiles ensure that the information taken at assessment is available to all professionals working with the learner. It ensures that activities such and teaching, therapies and independence skills all take into account the learner’s specific learning needs.
Once again these profiles can take different forms depending on the context. Both of the following are examples of learner profiles:
This assessment was delivered by National Star College as part of their outreach service. Click here to open up the full report.
National Star College
Neil has been a UK manager for the ATWE project and has sought for the role to be recognised further in Europe.
He works as an Assistive Technologist for National Star College where he delivers Assessments, Training and advice for both learners at the college – and those outside of the college through an outreach service.
Natspec (The National Specialist College Association) have seconded Neil to deliver the same services, plus setting up national support and resources for specialist colleges and Karten Centres. This service is called TechAbility and delivers webinars on a range of subjects
The work in both of these roles has led to input into the UK’s EdTech Strategy where the aim is to improve the standards of Assistive Technology across all mainstream schools and colleges in the UK.