The Effectiveness of Video Tutorials for Teaching Preservice Educators to Use Assistive Technologies
By Van Laarhoven, Toni; Munk, Dennis D.; Zurita, Leslie M.; Lynch, Kathleen; Zurita, Brian; Smith, Thomas; Chandler, Lynette; Journal of Special Education Technology, Vol. 23, No. 4, pp. 31-45Publication Date: 2008
Paper describes a prototype computer-based DVD, Encyclopedia of Assistive Technology (EAT), used to instruct preservice special-education teachers in the use of assistive technologies (AT) in classroom instruction. The EAT DVD was developed in an effort to integrate technology into teacher preparation without the use of specially-trained faculty. The EAT contains overviews and tutorials of AT software and devices that support individuals who have difficulties with written language, reading, math, communication, study skills, and/or physical control of their environment. Tutorials are included for software and devices such as Write:Outloud, Draft:Builder, Co:Writer, Writing w/Symbols, IntelliTools, IntelliKeys, and Kurzweil 3000; and AAC devices such as BIGmack, Step-by-Step, Go Talk, and Cheap Talk. An evaluative study of the EAT was conducted in the College of Education at Northern Illinois University with 188 preservice special and elementary education teacher candidates, who used the tutorials along with hands-on activities with the targeted technologies assigned to their class. A pretest-posttest design was used to assess the effects of the EAT DVD, with participants completing surveys to determine their familiarity, comfort level, and perceived effectiveness in using AT as well as their satisfaction with the video-based tutorials. Results indicated significant changes in participants’ confidence using AT, and the change in growth scores revealed substantial effect sizes across all measures. A Beta version of a refined EAT, available at http://www.AT-Video-Tutorials.com, is planned to be fully functional by the spring of 2009.
Assistive Products Discussed: KURZWEIL 3000 FOR MACINTOSH
GOTALK 9+
DRAFT:BUILDER
CO:WRITER 4000
STEP-BY-STEP COMMUNICATOR 75 WITH LEVELS
INTELLITOOLS WINDOWS ACCESS PACK I AND II
KURZWEIL 3000 FOR WINDOWS
CO:WRITER & CO:WRITER 2.0
CHEAP TALK 8 1-LEVEL COMMUNICATOR (MODELS 1338, 1391, 6338, & 6391)
INTELLIKEYS
INTELLITOOLS MAC ACCESS PACK I AND II
BIGMACK COMMUNICATOR
WRITE:OUTLOUD
CHEAP TALK 4 (MODELS 6336, 6392)
CHEAP TALK 4 INLINE WITH 12 LEVELS (MODELS 3412 & 3413)
GOTALK 4 PLUS
GOTALK 20 PLUS
GOTALK POCKET (MODEL GT-P06)
GOTALK BUTTON (MODEL GT-00W)
GOTALK CARD (MODEL GT-C01W)
WRITING WITH SYMBOLS 2000
WRITING WITH SYMBOLS - SPANISH
WRITE:OUTLOUD TO GO
Published by: Exceptional Innovations (Website:http://www.exinn.net)
Technology and Media Division (TAM) of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) (Web Site: http://www.tamcec.org )
