This document discusses the use of digital tools and ICT education at a department of special education in Aberdeen, Scotland. It provides details on the types of students served, including those with mental retardation, mental health issues, brain injuries, or learning difficulties. The teachers conduct assessments and create individualized plans. Students learn Windows, Office, communication tools, internet/email/social media, photo/music editing. Hardware used includes computers, smartboards, iPads, switches, and communication devices like RollTalk. Software includes MS Office, internet programs, symbols programs, screen readers, and digital dictionaries. Adaptive tools help students with motor or speech disabilities communicate.

1. Skottland - Aberdeen
February 2012

2. Departement of Special education:
Teachers involved in the project.
Kari Steinar

3. Who are our students?
Adults with special needs!
People with special needs caused by:
• Mental retardation
• Mental health problems
• Acquired brain injury
• Visual / hearing difficulties
• Reading / writing difficulties
• General learning difficulties

4. Based on expert assessment from
the educational and psychological service,
the teachers at our departement:
– screening tests
– make individual plans for each student
– continuous evaluation
– write reports every half a year
Most of our students takes part in this process.

5. Our ICT-education consists of:
(Information, Communication, Technology)
• Windows and Office (certifications)
• Communication (AAC*, hardware, software)
• Internet (incl.: E-mail, Facebook, Spotify, Skype)
• Photo editing (incl. photographing)
• Music / sound editing (Mac)

6. *AAC
Alternative and Augmentative Communication
– Alternative: means that the person has a
different way to communicate than voice,
and describes the process of developing
a replacement for speech.
– Augmentative communication: means support
or help-communication. Needs supplemental
forms of communication.

7. Digital tools at the departement of
Special education: Hardware
• Computers • RollTalk
– mouse and keyboard
(adapted) • Read-list
– switches
– touchscreen • Read-TV
• Smartboard • Camera
• IPad • C-pen
• GoTalk
• MAC
• Soundbeam
More details?
Ask for this when we are planning the 3rd workshop (Molde)

8. Digital tools at the departement of
Special education: Software
• MS Windows & Office • Programsnekker (RollTalk)
• Open Office • Symwriter
• IPad - software • Boardmaker
• Internet • The Grid
• VS Communicator
• Screenreader
• E-mail
• E-Lector
• LingDys & LingRight
• Scholastic software • PCS symbols
– Both CD and Internet
• Digital dictionaries
(pictogram, Norwegian Sign
Language)
More details?
Ask for this when we are planning the 3rd workshop (Molde)

9. RollTalk
VIDEO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWth61hxt2k
Rolltalk is used by people with speech
disabilities and/or motoric disabilities.
In addition of being a communication aid,
Rolltalk provides environmental control
including operating a wheelchair, controlling
the TV, radio, light and heat, open doors, etc.

10. More about RollTalk
The software ”Rolltalk Designer” is used in Rolltalk and
provides great opportunities for individual adaptation of
communication, customized access to Internet, write e–
mail or SMS.
Every feature can be used with both text and / or symbols.
Multiple Access Options - as well as the easy to
use touch screen, Compact Rolltalk can also be
operated using a head mouse, eye-control, a joystick
or switches.

11. Features in RollTalk

12. More about RollTalk

13. ICT-education for blind students
We use:
• Jaws screenreader
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GPNTctdezg&feature=related
This software reads and speaks all the information on the
screen for the student.
The student navigates using his ordinary keyboard.
Electronic Braille reader for computers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgBOU2sYS10
This hardware shows Braille codes on a digital device plugged to the
computer. (It shows the text ”from” the screen).

14. Symwriter
An easy-to-use symbol program for everybody
Write with symbols or text
On screen grids to help beginners writers
VIDEO:
http://www.widgit.com/products/symwriter/index.htm

15. Thank you for your attention!
More details?
Ask for this when we are
planning the 3rd workshop (Molde)