Computer Lab Design Contest!

PART I
First, get into groups of 3 to 5 people. Enter your names, email addresses, and phone numbers on a shared google document.

HOMEWORK: View a 16 minute video that will give you ideas on how to adjust to disabilities (answer the questions on AsULearn while you watch this video): http://www.washington.edu/doit/Video/wt_dis.html

PART II
Each group will pick 1 special need that you will "have." Choose from the list below or you can propose a different special need.  Make sure that no other groups in the class have picked this disability. Underneath the name of the disability, you will find some resources to look into.

A. MOBILITY IMPAIRMENTS

Look at this web page for information on using technology to help students with mobility challenges: http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Technology/wtmob.html

To learn about mobility impairments, view this 14 minute video: http://www.washington.edu/doit/Video/wt_mobility.html

Take notes on how people with mobility difficulties adapt with technology.

B. LOW VISION/BLINDNESS

To learn about sensory impairments, view this 10 minute video: http://www.washington.edu/doit/Video/wt_sensory.html

Take notes on how people with visual difficulties adapt with technology.

Look at these web pages for information on using technology to help students with visual challenges:
http://www.tsbvi.edu/
http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Technology/wtsense.html

C. SPEECH AND HEARING IMPAIRMENTS

To learn about sensory impairments, view this 10 minute video: http://www.washington.edu/doit/Video/wt_sensory.html

Take notes on how people with hearing difficulties adapt with technology.

Look at this web page for information on using technology to help students with hearing challenges: http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Technology/wtsense.html

D. LEARNING DISABILITIES

To learn about sensory impairments, view this 10 minute video: http://www.washington.edu/doit/Video/wt_learn.html

Here is a useful article about learning disabilities and technology: http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Technology/atpwld.html

Take notes on how people with learning disabilities adapt with technology.

E. ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

To get an idea of what it is like to be an English language learner, watch this video:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ov_gD4q6Or0 (by Linda Furiya)

Here is an article:
http://www.everythingesl.net/inservices/essential_vocab.php

Here is an article about technology and ESL:
http://iteslj.org/Articles/Ybarra-Technology.html

Here is a translation web site:
http://worldlingo.com/en/products_services/worldlingo_translator.html

BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS:

Behavioral disorders Council: http://www.ccbd.net/content.cfm?categoryID=1E59BF1A-3048-2906-B49FF9FDAFD544A3

Article to Learn about Behavioral Disorders: http://www.mental-health-matters.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=898

Technology and  Behavioral Disorders: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_7633/is_200904/ai_n32424236/

Article with lots of links: http://specialed.about.com/cs/behaviordisorders/a/Behavior.htm

HEALTH IMPAIRMENTS:

Great Site to Start: http://www.lehman.cuny.edu/faculty/jfleitas/bandaides/contents.html

Site With Lots of Links:  http://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/links/healthimpair.html

Skype: (if they must be absent from class): www.skype.com

PART III
Shopping for your Lab
Your group will pick out computers/technology for your lab. Assume that tables, chairs, air conditioning, carpet, recycle bins, trash cans, dry erase boards, and a clock are already in place (all extra "physical" features). As a group, pick out computers, printers, projector, scanner, etc., etc. Also pick out all technology you want for your group's particular disability.
Here are some sites that have computer equipment. Browse these sites and make a wish list of items you want using Excel. See the attached file below for directions on how to use Excel. Another attached file will show you a "starter" spreadsheet to give you an idea of how to lay it out.

To shop for assistive technology items for your lab, you might find these websites useful: http://blindreaders.info/adaptivecomputerindex.html , http://www.rehabmart.com and
www.maxiaids.com

Computers in General:
Best Buy
Apple Corporation
Dell Corporation
Circuit City
Sam's Club
Comp USA

PART IV
Make a budget using Excel to plan how you will use the $25,000. YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE A GOOGLE SHARED DOCUMENT TO CREATE THIS SPREADSHEET COLLABORATIVELY (SHARE THE DOCUMENT THROUGH GOOGLE.) After you make your spreadsheet, make a chart to graphically show how you distribute your money. Attached to this page are directions on how to make a budget spreadsheet and a small sample budget spreadsheet.  NAME YOUR BUDGET WITH YOUR GROUP'S DISABILITY, ex., budget.learningdisabilities.xls.  That way when you upload it, it won't replace another group's budget (files named the same will delete each other). 

Next, copy and paste your chart from Excel into a short letter (a few sentences) to the contest committee.  Your valediction should have your group members' names.  You do not need to show us your letter in your presentation.  NAME YOUR LETTER WITH YOUR GROUP'S DISABILITY, ex., letter.learningdisabilities.doc   That way when you upload it, it won't replace another group's budget (files named the same will delete each other).

PART V
Your group will create a wiki to share your information with our class.  Your page should have an image at the top, tell what it is like to have your disability, and what causes your disability.  Describe technology that can help make your life easier or help you learn more effectively; include photos.  Include teacher tips (make a list for teachers on how to best teach your special needs student).  Include at least 1 video link (link to a video on a web page or on you tube).  Good place to start:  www.teachertube.com

PART VI
You will present your findings to the contest judges (our class). Each group will
1. Describe your disability (tell the symptoms or manifestations) . Tell what challenges the disability presents when using technology. 
2. Describe technology that can help. 
3. Give tips for a teacher.
4. You will also show us your video link at some time in the presentation.  If your video is long, choose salient parts for us to view.
5. Finally, your group will show your spreadsheet chart on the projector and briefly explain it.

GUIDELINES FOR YOUR PRESENTATION:
1. You will use the center computer
2. All group members need to have an equal part in the presentation
3. All group members must be present
4. When you are speaking, stand and speak to everyone in the audience.
5. The presentation must engage the class in some way.  For example, ask questions, incorporate an activity to help us understand your disability, etc.

Group presentations are usually 10-15 minutes.  

Turn into AsULearn: Put a link to your group's wiki page (copy and paste the address).