CONDUCTING DISTANCE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
Peggy Shireley, AT CoordinatorIPAT of North [email protected]
Marci Kinas Jerome, AT Program CoordinatorGeorge Mason [email protected]
SESSION OBJECTIVES
Provide an overview of conducting AT demonstrations and meetings remotely using distance technology Provide an overview of synchronous technology
tools (such as Skype) Discuss the benefits and challenges of
conducting remote demonstrations and meetings
Provide participants an opportunity to ask questions and share their experiences
CONTENT TO BE COVEREDDistance AT Services
Definition of distance delivery History Benefits of conducting distance AT services Types of technologies used Questions
One State’s Model: IPAT of North Dakota Distance technologies used by IPAT of North Dakota How IPAT conducts distance AT services When IPAT uses distance AT services Where IPAT uses distance AT services Challenges of delivering distance AT services Questions
ARE YOU USING DISTANCE DELIVERY?
We would like to hear from you…
DISTANCE SERVICES DEFINED
Distance service is a method of providing access to information and interaction when the participants are separated by time and/or distance
TYPES OF DISTANCE DELIVERY
Asynchronous Delivery = participants access the information on their own schedule
Delivery Methods Mail Message board forums Email Video – YouTube Audio recordings Voicemail Facsimile
TYPES OF DISTANCE DELIVERY
Synchronous Delivery = participants are all ‘present’ at the same time
Delivery Methods Web conferencing Videoconferencing Educational television Instructional television Direct-broadcast satellite Internet radio Live streaming Telephone and web-based VoIP
HISTORY OF DISTANCE DELIVERY
Post Office 1728 in Boston, MA School of the Air 1951 in Alice Springs,
NT Radio and TV Classes 1964 in Madison, WI Fiber Optic Delivery 1990 Bismarck, ND Computers + Internet 1996 Jones
International University
WHY DISTANCE?
We would like to hear from you…
BENEFITS OF DISTANCE SERVICE DELIVERY
Expands Access Meets the demand from those disadvantaged by
distance and disability Offers flexibility Accommodates individual circumstances and
needs
Enables Connection Between experts in other geographical areas Between experts and those they serve in other
geographical areas
BENEFITS OF DISTANCE SERVICE DELIVERY
Cost Effective Eliminates travel time Eliminates mileage costs Eliminates mailing costs of inappropriate
equipment choices
Enhances Efficiency What took a day onsite takes 1-2 hours Provides an introduction of needs beyond paper
reports Makes device feature match more accurate
CAUTION AGAINST
“Using Technology for Technology’s Sake”
DISTANCE SERVICES CONSIDERATIONS
Who: Participants One to one connection, one to many connection
What: Content Seeing clients, product demonstration,
PowerPoint, website/resource sharing (also is a why)
Where: Connection Sites Home, satellite site
When: Delivery synchronous or asynchronous
We will focus primarily on synchronous delivery
A VISUAL MODEL
Distance AT
Technology
Participants
Content Connection
Delivery
TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS: QUICK REVIEW
Video conferencing Web conferencing Collaboration tools
Also audio conferencing, but not focus of today’s presentation
VIDEO CONFERENCING TOOLS
Polycom Tandberg Lifesize
Utilizing Existing Videoconference Networks Universities Community Colleges Human Services Telemedicine
VIDEO CONFERENCING FEATURES
Real time audio and video with multiple sites View remote content Can have HD quality video, good for video
detail Stable connection With specialized equipment can bridge home
users and conferencing sites together
WEB CONFERENCING TOOLS (WEBINAR)
Adobe Connect Microsoft Live Meeting Blackboard Collaborate (formerly Elluminate) GoToMeeting WebEx
WEB CONFERENCING FEATURES (WEBINAR)
One-way (webinar) and two-way (discussion) audio and video chat capability
View remote content (PowerPoints, websites, software demo)
Text chat and moderated Q &A Polling Whiteboards Real time sharing of content and files Archival of recorded sessions for future
playback
WEB COLLABORATION TOOLS
1 on 1, Small Group Conferencing Google Plus Skype
Remote Content Sharing Join Me
File Sharing Dropbox Microsoft Sky Drive
WEB COLLABORATION FEATURES
Free (for basic services) Conferencing
Connect one or more users with audio and/or video
View remote content, real time sharing File Sharing
Central location for documents shared between multiple users
Access files from any location with internet connection
DISTANCE SERVICE OPTIONS
Let’s review some scenarios
SCENARIO 1: WEB CONFERENCING/COLLABORATION TOOLS
Participants
One to One
Content
Discussion
Demonstrate Hardware
Delivery
Synchronous
Answer Questions
Troubleshoot
Connection
Home
Unable to travel long distance
Considerations
Internet speed/reliabilityComputer processing power
Client tech savvinessSoftware availability
accessibility
Technology
Real time video and audioIntuitive interface
Not bandwidth hogFree/low cost
Challenges
Video quality, dropped calls, tech skills
SCENARIO 2: WEB CONFERENCING/COLLABORATION TOOLS
Participants
One to One
Content
Discussion
Demonstrate Software
Delivery
Synchronous
Answer Questions
Troubleshoot
Connection
Home
Unable to travel long distance
Considerations
Internet speed/reliabilityComputer processing power
Client tech savvinessSoftware availability
accessibility
Technology
Real time video and audioView remote content
Intuitive interfaceNot bandwidth hog
Free/low cost
Challenges
Video quality, dropped calls, content display lag, tech skills
SCENARIO 3: VIDEO CONFERENCING
Participants
One to One
Content
Discussion
Demonstrate Hardware/
Software
Delivery
Synchronous
Answer Questions
Troubleshoot
Connection
Site
Willing to travel to
satellite site
Considerations
Available Tech SupportSite Scheduling
Internet speed/reliabilityComputer processing power
Client tech savviness
Technology
High quality real time video and audio
Remote content sharing
Challenges
Equipment costs, maintenance, technical expertise
SCENARIO 4: WEBINAR
Participants
One to Many
Content
ResourcesDiscussionDemonstrate Hardware/
Software
Delivery
Synchronous
Answer QuestionsDiscussion
Connection
Home
Considerations
Client internet speedClient tech savviness
Intuitive client interfaceAccessibility
Number of connections
Technology
Real time video and audioView remote content
Intuitive presenter interfaceAdditional tools: polling,
Q&A, recording and archiving
Challenges
Real time tech support, compatibility, # of connections
QUESTIONS AT THIS POINT
IPAT OF NORTH DAKOTAMaking a Case for Distance AT Delivery
ABOUT IPAT The Interagency Program for Assistive Technology
(IPAT) increases access to assistive technology in North Dakota by engaging in activities that: raise awareness disseminate information provide training and assessments work with policy makers loan equipment for trial-use, and demonstrate assistive technology (AT) devices to individuals of all ages with disabilities and those experiencing the effects of aging throughout the state.
IPAT increases AT acquisition by making available a used equipment bulletin board and an alternative financial loan program specific to the purchase of AT devices and services. http://www.ndipat.org
DISTANCE TECHNOLOGIES IPAT USES
Asynchronous Delivery
Delivery Methods Mail Email Video - YouTube Voicemail Facsimile Website Facebook Blogging
DISTANCE TECHNOLOGIES IPAT USES
Synchronous Delivery
Delivery Method Videoconferencing Web Conferencing/Collaboration Tools
DISTANCE TECHNOLOGIES IPAT USES
VIDEOCONFERENCING
Polycom System Camera Speaker TV Internet Connection
POLYCOM COMPONENTS
Camera – Speakers – TV – Internet Connection
POLYCOM UPSIDES AND DOWNSIDES
Polycom UPSIDES Reliability Picture Quality Ease of Use Ability to involve a number of people
Polycom DOWNSIDES Video and Audio not synchronized Freezing of Video
DISTANCE TECHNOLOGIES IPAT USES
Web Conferencing/Collaboration Tools
Skype Free software download Computer or Tablet Camera Microphone Internet Connection
SKYPE COMPONENTS
Free software download – Computer – Camera –
Microphone – Internet Connection
SKYPE UPSIDES AND DOWNSIDES
Skype UPSIDES Affordability Reliability Ease of Use
Skype DOWNSIDES Dropped Calls Audio can echo Video quality can be unpredictable Synching of audio and video can be off
DISTANCE TECHNOLOGIES IPAT USES
Web Conferencing/Collaboration Tools Screen Share – Join.me
Free software download Computer or Tablet Internet connection
JOIN.ME COMPONENTS
Free software download – Computer – Internet
JOIN.ME UPSIDES AND DOWNSIDES
Join.me UPSIDES Affordability Reliability Ease of use
Join.me DOWNSIDES Internet speed
HOW IPAT USES DISTANCE DELIVERY
Internal Staff Development Entire staff is taking a social media class
together via videoconferencing Staff teach each other new equipment
Assistive Technology Training Noon hour topical trainings Individual training on specific devices, software
or iPad apps
HOW IPAT USES DISTANCE DELIVERY
Equipment Demonstration AAC devices Keyboards CCTVs
Virtual Tours and Experiences IPAT Technology Access Centers Exhibit floor of the AT Expo in Fargo Present an award
HOW IPAT USES DISTANCE DELIVERY
Determine Individual Device Needs Teleconference call Videoconference
AT Tech Act Activities Reconvene stakeholders in statewide
collaboration Weekly staff meetings Consumer Advisory Committee meetings IPAT Board meetings In-house IT and computer troubleshooting
WHEN IPAT USES DISTANCE DELIVERY
When travel is prohibitive Weather Location Vulnerability of end-user
When the service requested fits the distance learning format Device exploration Device training AT training Meet an end-user prior to services
WHERE IPAT USES DISTANCE DELIVERY
Rural Clinics statewide UND Medical School – Telemedicine sites and bridge
Regional Human Service Centers Polycom systems
University and School Systems Interactive Video Network
Homes of Clients
Between IPAT offices
CHALLENGES OF DISTANCE DELIVERY
Routine technical glitches Scheduling Having the correct equipment and know-how
on the recipients end Slow internet speed Interactions are not as personal Reluctance of end users to embrace the
technology
QUESTIONS ABOUT DISTANCE DELIVERY
