Deer Park ISDCurrent Trends of Assistive Technology and Implementation of Mobile Technologies in Deer Park Independent School District

Deer Park ISD Demographics• 15 Campuses• 20 miles Southeast of downtown Houston• Includes parts of Deer Park, Pasadena, Lynchburg and Highlands.• Enrollment: 12,594 students

• Campuses:• Early Childhood Center: 1• Elementary Campuses: 7• Jr. High Campuses: 4• High School Campuses: 3

• Assistive Technology Team-Trained Staff• 8 Teams trained by Region IV• 3 Teams Currently in Training• 14 campuses have at least one team trained staff member

Current Trends of AT in DPISD

• AT Process• Troubleshooting

• Technology (computers, laptops, mobile technologies)• Communication Devices• FM Systems• Hearing Aids

• Deer Park Independent School District AT Forms (on WIKI)• Implementation of Mobile Technologies

AT Process Flow ChartDeer Park Independent School District

Assistive Technology (A.T.)

ARD Consideration Process

No assistive technology devices and/or services are recommended at this time.

AT Needs Indicator (form2376) or WATI guides (in AT folder on server).

Are A.T. devices or services needed?

Do we have sufficient

information to make a decision?

NO YES

An AT evaluation is recommended to assess the specific educational needs of the student. Parent Permission requested.

NO YES

If the student needs AT to participate in their educational program, consider the areas of need and determine the appropriate devices and/or services. The student’s specific needs are to be documented in the IEP and based on specific goals and objectives.

Campus-level AT team (Teacher, SLP, AT representative, and any related service personnel needed) completes the AT Evaluation. This ensures that all areas of AT for student needs be addressed.

The assessment team completes a written report with recommendations and complete ARD paperwork for annual ARD and/or 3 year re-evaluations.

Are A.T. devices or services needed?

NO YES

Recommendations for devices, trials and/or services are to be addressed by the ARD committee and documented in the IEP.

Consider a range of low to high tech solutions, beginning with no tech and low tech choices. Review and document what has been tried in each area.

Please check the AT Inventory for available devices or contact Region IV at 713-744-6518 to borrow device. Before device purchase, always provide an extended trial in use. For a laptop or ACC, send completed student information guide and IEP documenting need to District AT Coordinator.

No A.T. devices and/or services are recommended at this time.

Which devices are needed?

Needed? HIGH

LOW

Document in ARD on ESPED screen: Communication, Physical, AT Needs of Student), choose #1 "the student will be able to participate in the educational program…”

Document in ARD on ESPED screen: Communication, Physical, AT Needs of Student), choose # 3 “additional information is needed…”

WATI guides or SETT Checklist (in AT folder on server).

AT Report Template

Go to column on right

Document in ARD on ESPED screen: Communication, Physical, AT Needs of Student), choose #2 "the student will NOT be able to participate in the…”

Document in ARD on ESPED screen: Communication, Physical, AT Needs of Student), choose #1 "the student will be able to participate in the educational program…”

Complete AT Needs Indicator

Document in ARD on ESPED screen: Communication, Physical, AT Needs of Student) and Accommodations page

Troubleshooting ProcessDeer Park Independent School District

Dept. of Special Services Assistive Technology Problem Solving Process

Communication Devices

When Technology is not working…

FM Systems (Frequency Modulation)

Assisted Listening Devices

Computer; Printer or Video Hardware Issues

Computer or Video Software Issues

(Including Flip Video issues)

Contact campus AT representative or SLP to problem solve the device

Contact campus AT representative or SLP to

problem solve device and hearing aids

SLP to contact the manufacturer’s technical

support line for assistance with device

Contact Audiologist, Ian Gillespie (281) 420-8033 or Deaf Co-op (281) 420-

4370 to check and/or repair

Submit a work order for the District Technology

Department

If parts or equipment replacement are needed,

contact Karen Page (832) 668-7172

District Technology Department technical

support specialists will address issues

VI; O&M; OT; and/or, PT Materials

Contact your campus VI Teacher or aide; O&M

Staff; OT; PT; COTA or PTA

Contact your (CTIS) campus technology

integrated specialist for troubleshooting.

If further assistance is needed, CTIS will submit a work order for the District

Technology to address

District Technology Department technical

support specialists will address issues

If device is owned by the student, inform the parent.

If owned by Region IV, call Frankie (713) 744-6518

and/or return it

FM System ProcessDeer Park Independent School District

Dept. of Special Services FM Systems Policy

LSSP/Diagnostician refers the student to Deaf Co-op for consultation to determine need for devices and/or services. Please include the “Request for Professional Assistance or Attendance at an ARD” form along with:

Audiological and/or Otological Reports Copy of the FIE

Progress Report/Recent Grades Classroom Schedule

When an FM System is recommended for a student with Auditory Impairment

Deaf Co-op will review reports; observe the student if needed; and, determine need for FM system device and services.

If eligible for services, the AI teacher will attend the ARD and make recommendations. The student will receive FM equipment; services; and, monitoring through the Deaf Co-op.

ARD Committee/504 Committee meets with Deaf Co-op representative and makes recommendations.

District AT Coordinator will contact Audiologist and schedule the initial visit to set up the FM system and check hearing aids. Follow up visits should be scheduled by the campus AT contact person.

If not eligible, the ARD or 504 committee determines that no devices and/or services are needed to make progress on IEP the ARD Committee.

If the student is not eligible for services due to lack of “instructional need”, but the need for an FM system has been determined by the ARD committee, a referral to the AT coordinator will be made.

Campus AT team member or SLP will monitor student’s use/equipment’s functioning and report problems or needs to Audiologist.

AI Teacher will contact the District’s AT Coordinator if in need of equipment.

Hearing Aid TroubleshootingDEER PARK INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

Assistive Technology Hearing Aid Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Hearing Aids

Numerous makes and models Numerous levels of technology Various settings T-coil: how to find the program on a hearing aid

o Push button while listening through stethoset o Once you know which number the t-coil program is on, let others know

Cochlear Implants

Various makes and models Works similar to a hearing aid Some cochlear implants have an auto t-coil that needs no special programming, if not, the T-coil must be

set in one of their programs for an FM to work If a t-coil needs to be programmed, an audiologist needs to do it.

Common Problems and Troubleshooting:

Hearing aid won’t turn on o Check the battery: if bad, replace o Clean the ear mold: if clogged, clean

Static in the hearing aid o Check the tubing: is it hard or yellow? o Place the aid in the “dry aid” for one hour to absorb possible moisture o Check the battery: if bad, replace

Hearing aid is weak, making funny noises or not amplifying o Check the battery: if bad, replace o Clean the ear mold: if clogged, clean o Make sure the aid did not get wet or sweaty at P.E.: if so, put in dry aid to remove moisture or

dry overnight if dry aid is not available Make sure the hearing aid is set to the T-coil setting for use with an FM System

If all else fails, refer parent to bring hearing aid in to Audiologist for repair.

Nurse’s Hearing Aid Troubleshooting Kit:

Hearing aid battery tester Hearing aid battery variety Stethoset: for listening to hearing aid Dry Aid Tubing Blower: to dry out moisture in tubing Alcohol pads: to clean ear molds, stethoset and other tools

Hal-hen Sanitize Spray Clear sound floss: to clean tubing Eargene (only use on outside of ear): for

itchy ears due to ear mold Set of cleaning tools or tool with wax loop

on end: to keep ear mold wax free Gloves

Implementation of Mobile Technologies

• iTunes• Distribution• Management• Apps/Volume Purchasing• Best Practices• The Future?

Distribution• Started with Administrators.• Expanded into Special Education (SLP, SLC, TIC, Special Ed Dept

Chairs) for use with students.• iPod carts of 30 placed onto eight elementary campuses this

school year.• CTIS’ will manage cart – updates, purchases, apps.• Apple Academy teachers responsible for integrating into curriculum,

creating content and training teachers.• 2 iPad carts (30 each) will be placed onto seven secondary

campuses next school year.• CTIS’ will manage cart – updates, purchases, apps.• Apple Academy teachers responsible for integrating into curriculum,

creating content and training teachers.• An additional iPod cart will be added to each elementary campus

next school year.

Management• Setup

• All iPods, iPads MUST be setup by a technician BEFORE distribution.• Accounts

• An email account is created for each individual device or one account per cart.

• iTunes account is set up for each email account created.• Each cart has a separate email account. Students can turn in

assignments on devices via this email account. Naming protocol is followed so teachers can find their student’s assignments. We plan to use Dropbox and Evernote with these accounts.

• Wireless Setup with filtering - BYOT

Apps/Volume Purchasing• Administrator and individual iPods/iPads are given gift cards to purchase apps.• Only one Volume Purchasing account is allowed per district. A spreadsheet is

kept by each purchasing department to keep up with accounting.• Volume purchasing is used for all other devices (Special Education and Carts).

• Workflow for volume purchasing• Teacher decides what apps they would like to purchase• They request through the CTIS• CTIS and Principal approve or deny apps• If approved, request is sent to ITS for processing. ITS completes the associated paperwork;

then sends the Apple Codes and which codes go to which devices to the Casper Manager.• He puts info into Casper, then CTIS have to physically download the app on one device, sync

device to iTunes and it syncs to all devices. We have purchased PowerSync from Bretford to sync all devices at once.

• Once apps have been purchased, ITS sends notice to requesting CTIS so apps can be downloaded.

• For costly apps with the special education devices, the special education department manages their volume purchasing.

• All cart apps are handled via Volume Purchasing. It’s all or nothing with apps for carts – all devices get app or none get it.

• All free apps are managed by the manager of that device or cart.

Best Practices• Set Guidelines (Draft copy of DPISD Guidelines shown)

• Guidelines for District-Owned Wireless Devices • All district-owned wireless devices will be subject to Internet filtering in accordance with the Children’s

Internet Protection Act (CIPA) set up through the Technology Department before use in the classroom.• Teachers using iTunes accounts in their classroom instruction with district-owned handheld devices

must use a district email account created specifically for iTunes. This is separate from the teacher’s regular district email.

• All content purchased through iTunes and synched to multiple devices must be made through Apple’s Volume Licensing Program.

• Procedures for District-Owned Wireless Handheld Devices• All Apple devices must be purchased directly from Apple. No other vendor (K+, Best Buy, ebay, etc.) is

approved. This includes any Apple device purchased with funds through an individual campus, Education Foundation Grant, PTO, etc. that will connect to the district wireless.

• Wireless devices should come (or be sent) directly to Technology Department.• Technology will create a unique iTunes email for use with iTunes account and set up the iTunes

account.• If applicable, specific apps will be downloaded to the iTunes account and synced to the wireless

devices. • The devices will also be joined to the Casper management system and configured to district standards

by Network Systems.• When the devices are delivered to the campus, a technician will set up the iTunes account on a

computer and the devices will be synced.

• Have good management system set up BEFORE distribution

The Future?• Mixed Reviews for Classroom Use

• Some embrace the use of mobile technology and social networking while others see them as classroom disruptions or fancy distractions

• Transitioning to Acceptance and Use• Current projections suggest that you will be very hard pressed to

find anyone without a working mobile phone by 2015.• Teachers must embrace the value of mobile technologies, while

realizing they continue to be the experts in learning and development.

• Video: Top 10 Reasons to use Mobile Technology in Education