The DART Project Runshaw College, Leyland and Beaumont College, Lancaster Susan Dwyer, Trevor Mobbs, Rohan Slaughter 30/9/11

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 – 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 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 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)

About Runshaw College Runshaw College is a Beacon College based on three sites in Leyland, Euxton and Chorley. Over 4000 full time students Adult FE, HE,WBL and commercial courses The 2011 examination league tables published by the Department for Education show Runshaw to be the best performing college in the country. Grade 1 across the full range of provision A dynamic and successful ALS provision with a strong ethos of Continuous Improvement Visited November 2010 as part of an Ofsted Good Practice Survey receiving excellent feedback on both ALS and LDD.

Runshaw College: A DART case study The vision To be able to identify and implement cost effective, efficient technologies, strategies and equipment which will enhance the ability of students to work independently and have barriers to learning and reliance on others reduced. This will increase their resilience and competence, allowing them to be included as equals in the learning and external environment, thus promoting their inclusion in society.

Study Support We knew we wanted to develop learning and assistive technology We knew what we wanted but didn’t know how to get there We have great IT facilities, an IT team and ILT mentors but everyone was busy with other developments A Senior Support work was responsible for our technology but also had a growing HE/DSA responsibility Study Support did not have the technological skills to support the vision The main driver for what we wanted to achieve was to be more Inclusive and believed technology was the way to achieve this.

What we have achieved so far Assistive technology now in the strategic plan Head of Study Support now a member of ILT strategy group Head of the library to take on a lead role in developing technology as part of a change in roles and development of a new library and Study Support and has been freed up from some duties to achieve this Funding identified for a joint post of Assistive Technologist for LDD and Learning Technologist for the rest of the college Piloting assistive and learning technology in two areas-Science and Hair and Beauty- Re vamped Science Atrium New Windows with assistive and learning tools JISC software on wristbands and pen drives to be given to all study Support students and All Support staff have had Jisc presentation and training on software and pen drives Dolphin pen drives bought- 100 plus for students with dyslexia Visits to Beaumont, Burnley College and Warrington College to pick up good practice

What next? The recruitment of an Assistive Technologist and work continuing on the two pilot areas and rolling out technologies. The ILT trainers are going to train selected staff on the Dolphin software

The DART Project Visits have taken place with all colleges We have identified what the colleges wish to develop as part of the project, this includes: – 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 are working to develop a program of activities with each college individually – At least four days has/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