DART Project Beaumont College, Lancaster Rohan Slaughter 17/5/11

1. DART Project Beaumont College, Lancaster Rohan Slaughter 17/5/11

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. The DART Project • The Assistive Technologist • This role was developed during the Wheeltop Project at Beaumont College • Funded by BT from 2007-2010 • 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

7. 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 but 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

8. 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

9. The DART Project • Molenet3 – MOVE – Mobile Video Evidence (supports the e-portfolio initiative) • Innovation 3 – Supports the Staff VLE development • Karten 2: The Beaumont Digital Arts Centre • LSIS ISC e-leadership program – e-safety and e-maturity • Successor to‘wheeltop project’. Scope and BT are again working together on the ‘Connect to Control project, focus on Environmental Control Systems • Technology Exemplar Network • TSB: Mobility Bridge • LSIS Flexibility and Innovation fund – replicate the Technologist role, our technology service profile and disseminate case studies of our assistive tech. • JISC InfoNET: Strategy Work

10. 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)

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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)

14. The DART Project • The Partner Colleges • Initial visits have already taken place with many colleges • Identify what the college wishes to develop as part of the project, could include: • 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

15. The DART Project • The Partner Colleges • Beaumont College and National Star will work to develop a program of activities with each college individually • At least four days 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

16. 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 http://dart.beaumontcollege.ac.uk/

17. The DART Project Thank you for listening Any Questions?