DART Project

Beaumont College, Lancaster Rohan Slaughter 17/5/11

About Beaumont College

• Independent Specialist College based in Lancaster • 91 learners, 330 FTE staff • Ofsted “Outstanding” • LSIS Beacon Status • Curriculum focussed on personal development, independence, skills for life • Creative arts specialism

The DART Project

• DART – ‘Disseminating Assistive Roles and Technology’ • Working in partnership, Beaumont College and National Star College • Funded by the LSIS flexibility and innovation fund

The DART Project

• The project aims to: – Improve Assistive Technology practice in the sector – Enable the replication of the innovative Assistive Technologist role – Disseminate the Beaumont College Technology service model – Produce Assistive Technology case studies for the sector

The DART Project

• The Assistive Technologist – Sits at the interface of people and technology – Works as part of a trans-disciplinary team, which includes OT, SLT, teachers, social care staff – A new ‘hybrid’ role that does not replace any existing role – The technologist becomes the ‘chief integrator’ of the assistive technology solution provided to the student

The DART Project

• The Assistive Technologist – This role was developed during the Wheeltop Project at Beaumont College – Funded by BT from 2007-2010 – Integrate off the shelf Tablet PC technology in place of dedicated communication aids – Reduced the cost of the hardware and increased flexibility of solutions – The technologist role was the most important development from the Wheeltop Project

The DART Project

• Disseminate the Beaumont College Technology service model – Beaumont unifies mainstream IT support and assistive technology support into a single team – Team is run from the Senior Management Team – This arrangement but serves the college well, and avoids the divide that can exist between technical staff and teaching staff – The team includes two technologists, two network technicians, an IT technician, Media technician and a technical learning support worker

The DART Project

• Disseminate the Beaumont College Technology service model – Beaumont has a robust modern IT system that has been developed over a number of years – Assistive Technology and AAC expertise – We are active in networks such as the JISC RSC NW, the Technology Exemplar Network, TechDIS, LSIS, NATSPEC groups – Have been involved in a number of sector projects

The DART Project

– Molenet3 – MOVE – Mobile Video Evidence (supports the e portfolio initiative) – Innovation 3 – Supports the Staff VLE development – Karten 2: The Beaumont Digital Arts Centre – LSIS ISC e-leadership program – e-safety and e-maturity – Successor to‘wheeltop project’. Scope and BT are again working together on the ‘Connect to Control project, focus on Environmental Control Systems – Technology Exemplar Network – TSB: Mobility Bridge – LSIS Flexibility and Innovation fund – replicate the Technologist role, our technology service profile and disseminate case studies of our assistive tech.

– JISC InfoNET: Strategy Work

The DART Project

• Produce assistive technology case studies – Examples of assistive technology solutions in place at both National Star College and Beaumont – Examples of technology in use at partner colleges – Examples of how we have worked with partner colleges (training, support, technology)

The DART Project

• Produce assistive technology case studies – For example, using a windows 7 tablet in place of a communication aid: Benefits: • Lower Cost • Flexible • Runs The Grid 2 Software • Easy to mount or use hand held • Can be supported by anyone with PC knowledge

The DART Project

• The project – Convened a project board to oversee the project – Sought partners in both mainstream and FE colleges – We had assistance from both the JISC RSC’s and TechDIS to publicise the project – We had a massive response, in all 24 enquiries were made prior to the deadline, more enquires since – It is clear that there is an unmet need – We have engaged with 8 colleges

The DART Project

• The Partner Colleges • Beaumont College: – Runshaw FE College – Dovestones at Tameside – Henshaws ISC – Wirral FE • National Star College: – Bournemouth and Pool FE College – Swindon FE College – Oakwood Court ISC – South Bristol Skills Academy (FE)

The DART Project

• The Partner Colleges • Initial visits have already taken place with many colleges • Identify what the college wishes to develop as part of the project, could include: – Elements of the Technologist role to be embedded in an existing role – Transfer of assistive technology knowledge to specific staff, work shadowing etc – Training and development for staff in the partner colleges – Advice on sourcing equipment, software etc – Advice on adapting mainstream hardware

The DART Project

• The Partner Colleges – Beaumont College and National Star will work to develop a program of activities with each college individually – At least four days will be spent with each college – Opportunity to review, adapt and change direction as emergent needs are identified – Intended to foster two way learning, we wish to learn from all partner colleges – The project is intended to have a legacy of web based resources that can be used by the sector more widely

The DART Project

• The Project website – Hosts information about the project – Will be updated regularly – Has a number of case studies available now: • Accessible media centre • Computer access for visually impaired switch users • Switch access to digital SLR cameras – More case studies to be added soon

http://dart.beaumontcollege.ac.uk/

The DART Project

Thank you for listening Any Questions?