Using Collaborative Tools to Engage Youth with Disabilities in

Computer Science

National Alliance for Partnerships in EquityProfessional Development Institute

April 16, 2013

Mylene Padolina, EdLab Group Lynn Reha, Illinois State University

Lisa Tabaka, Thomas Metcalf Lab School

Agenda

• Hands-On Collaboration Exercise

• Computer Science Collaboration Project Overview (CSCP)

• Overview, Lessons Learned and Best Practices from Engaging Youth With Disabilities Mini-Grant Projects

• SMARTer Boards

• Free/Low Cost Resources

• This activity builds teamwork, cooperation, and problem solving.

• Work in a team to stack cups into a pyramid shape.

• You cannot touch the cups with your hands.

• With the materials, create a tool to help stack the cups.

• All team members must help in stacking the cups, so tool should be built in a way that includes all team members.

• No talking is allowed while completing the activity.

Stack’em Up Part 1

• Designate a team member with:

– Vision loss

– Limited mobility

– Hearing loss

– Limited English language skills

• Make sure to include everyone in the exercise

Stack’em Up Part 2

• Exercise Debrief

– How did you accommodate the diversity of your team members?

Stack’em Up Part 2

Project Overview

The Computer Science Collaboration Project aims to efficiently increase participation of underrepresented

groups in computer science opportunities by effectively building

collaborations between K-12, community-based organizations, higher

education, and industry.

www.cscproject.org

Project Goals

• Build collaborations between CSCP participants from K-12 settings, community-based organizations, higher education, and industry

• Maximize access to shared resources among representatives from K-12 settings, community-based organizations, higher education, and industry that are interested in expanding and broadening participation in computer science.

• Strengthen the capacity of existing and evolving K-12 formal and informal programs in computer science by supporting the use of exemplary practices.

Project Structure

• National Leadership Team

• Key Partners

– ETR Associates

– Computer Science Teachers Association

– Computing Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions

– The Alliance for Access to Computing Careers (AccessComputing)

• Change Agents Council

• Collaboration Leadership Teams

• Participating Organizations: Organizations and programs working to engage underserved youth in computer science

• A group of professionals with a range of expertise

• Help set the agenda for a national effort to engage more Hispanics and persons with disabilities in computer science

• Identify programs for inclusion in the Program Directory

• Assist with the development, oversight, and mentoring of the mini-grant program

• Support webcasts - promote and present

• Disseminate information about the CSCP to their local and national networks

• Participate in all project evaluation activities

2 Collaboration Leadership TeamsEngaging Hispanic/Latino(a) Youth

Engaging Youth with Disabilities

• Sheryl Burgstahler

– Affiliate Professor – College of Education, University of Washington

• Mike Ching

– Director of Search Ranking – eBay

• Tari Hartman Squire

– CEO – EIN SOF Communications, Inc.

• Brett Humphrey

– Senior Test Lead – Microsoft Corporation

Engaging Youth with

Disabilities Leadership Team

• Alan Muir

– Executive Director – Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities

• Donna Mundy

– Consultant, High School High Tech Programs

• Curtis Richards

– Director - Center for Workforce Development, Institute for Educational Leadership

• Kathy West-Evans

– Director of Business Relations – Council for State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation

Engaging Youth with

Disabilities Leadership Team

Project Components

• Project Web Site: www.cscproject.org

• Program Directory

• Disability Resources

• Webinars

• Quarterly Newsletter

• In-Person Events

• Capacity Building Mini-Grants

Mini-Grant Funding

• Application Process - 4th Quarter 2011

• 9 Projects Selected for Funding

• Project Delivery – February-December 2012

• Mini-Grant Project Showcase Webinar –December 2012

Mini-Grant ProjectsOverview

• Limited availability of programs

• Reached middle and high school students

• Taught robotics, gaming, aeronautics

• Career exploration

• High school internships

• Accessibility project

• Funding used for food, transportation, accommodations and student wages and stipends

Mini-Grant ProjectsLessons Learned & Best Practices

• 2/3 of the projects added a focus on CS or started working with youth with disabilities

• Collaborations provided access to specialized knowledge and expertise

• Expanded partnership projects

• Positive attitude changes about CS and CS careers

• Enrollment outcomes

Mini-Grant Projects

Project Name Lead Organization State

Computer Science Fun Day Alabama Computer Science Camps -Auburn University

AL

Engaging Youth with Disabilities with Microsoft KODU, Basic Computer Game Development

Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg and

LeominsterMA

High School/High Tech Internships Florida High School/High Tech FL

North Central Florida High School/High Tech Computer Science Exploration

Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida – High School/High Tech

FL

Project E.S.T.E.E.M. – Experience Science, Technology, Engineering, Electronics & Math

Trinidad State Junior College CO

Project S.T.E.A.D.Y (Science, Technology, Engineering Academy for Disabled Youth)

WizKidz Science and Technology Centers, Inc.

GA

SMARTer Board: Girls Resolve Accessibility Issues

The New Look Project at Illinois Center for Specialized Professional Support (IllinoisState University)

IL

Teaching Science through Robotics Florida Crown Workforce Board FL

Tech Vision Quest Lake County Technology Campus IL

SMARTer BOARDSGIRLS SOLVE VISUAL ACCESSIBILITY ISSUES

Lynn Rehalcreha@ilstu.edu

Lisa Tabakaltabaka@ilstu.edu

The New Look ProjectIllinois Center for Specialized Professional Support

Diverse Design Teams

Design Teams, made up of sighted and

visually impaired individuals, middle school girls, IT professionals, and pre-service

and in-service teachers, addressed the problem

of full white board interactivity for

students with visual impairments.

Visually impaired students want to interact with the white board without depending on an aide.

• “Ten Tips for Teachers Using SMART Boards with Visually Impaired Students”

• Three “most effective” apps and software selections

• New awareness of how important it is to visually impaired students to have the same level of interactivity as sighted peers

The Results

“Most Promising” Apps

.

Title Cost Works on Pros Cons

Join Me Free i-PAD • Useful for

enlargement

• No voice over

• No interactivity

SMART

app for

i-PAD

$10 i-PAD • Useful for

enlargement

• Can change

screens

• Voice over and

commands

Two way

splitter

$6-$20 Laptop/

monitor

• Only need access

to monitor

• Splits whiteboard

image to monitor

• No gestures

• No Zoom

• Stationary—must

stay in front of

monitor

Join Me

SMARTBoard i-PAD App

Two Way Splitter

Free or Low Cost Resources

• Pivot Stickfigure Animator (free) http://pivot-stickfigure-animator.en.softonic.com/

• Lightbot 1.0 Logic Game (free)http://www.kongregate.com/games/Coolio_Niato/light-bot

• Armadillo Run Physics Game (free to educational entities if you email creator) $20 http://www.armadillorun.com/

• Bontago Strategy Gaming (free)https://www.digipen.edu/fileadmin/website_data/gallery/game_websites/Bontago/

• Narbacular Drop Environmental Puzzle Gaming (free) https://www.digipen.edu/fileadmin/website_data/gallery/game_websites/NarbacularDrop/

• ASCII Art Generator (free) http://www.glassgiant.com/ascii/

Free or Low Cost Resources• CISCO Binary Math Game (free)

http://forums.cisco.com/CertCom/game/binary_game_page.htm?site=celc

• Xtranormal Storyboarding Animator (free)http://www.xtranormal.com/

• 1980’s Arcade (free)http://www.free80sarcade.com/index.php

• Computer Science Unplugged (free)http://csunplugged.org/

• Auburn University Education and Assistive Technology Laboratory Videos: http://www.youtube.com/myleat

• University of Alabama Myna Tool Video: http://ankrug.students.cs.ua.edu/ClassProjects/Video.zip

Additional Project Resources

• Visit the CSC Project Website: www.cscproject.org

• Register in the Program Directory:

www.cscproject.org/index.php?q+pd

• Sign up for the Quarterly Newsletter:

www.cscproject.org/index.php?q=node/14

• View Archived Webinars:

www.cscproject.org/index.php?q=node/75

• AccessComputing Knowledge Base:

www.uw.edu/accesscomputing/

Contact Information

• Mylene Padolina, EdLab Group• mpadolina@edlabgroup.org

• Lynn Reha, Illinois State University• lcreha@ilstu.edu

• Lisa Tabaka, Thomas Metcalf Lab School• ltabaka@ilstu.edu