Transition Through Technology

Transcription

1 Hey David, my team made a new high score last night in Battlewar! That s great John. I made a cost/ profit analysis for a product I made in my Tech-Now class. Tool vs. Toy E p i s o d e 3 Reality World 2011 Transition Through Technology Student created Simple Shape People If I keep practicing I might get enough skill points to upgrade my shielding to a level two force-field. If I keep practicing I might be able to get a job and upgrade my bike to a car! Students and Teachers say Tech-Now Rocks *I have several students begging me to be in Tech Now next semester. They are willing to learn the programs *I wanted to let you all know that my kids loved the on their own before Jan. Would that be okay to have simple shape people and car/truck activities! I have a them in? few who have really taken an interest in the Corel and Dana Cantwell show signs of being quite talented. Melisa D. Kifer Stillwater High School Norman North High School * I wanted to take just a minute to write you about my experience yesterday at the high school. I thoroughly *I wanted to let you know that my students loved the enjoyed getting to visit with and see this group of car and truck activity. They were excited about having a new activity and they got really creative. Some of the students created scenes behind their car and added things to their car or truck. Emily Long Thomas Fay Custer High School *They really seemed to have enjoyed the car and the truck. Lynn Gardner John Marshall High School students in action. I told them a little bit about what we were doing and what we needed from them. They got right to work creating mock-ups and samples. They came up with some awesome ideas to make our posters "pop". They were great listeners, and really helped to come up with some super ideas! I'm not sure what funding is used to help these students learn all of the skills that are involved in the process, but this is an endorsement from someone who has seen what they can do, what they have learned and can just imagine what they'll be able to do at the end of the year. It was a joy to be able to see what I am sure is my tax dollars being well spent!!!! Sincerely, Kim Blalock Duncan, Oklahoma

2 Tech-Now Inc. Expanding Education And Employment Opportunities For Individuals With Disabilities Oklahoma State High School High Tech Notable Achievements Tech-Now provided services to students and teachers in WESTAT, the primary program evaluator for the U.S. twenty-six program sites in the program year. Department of Labor HS HT program, stated that Oklahoma is the only High School High Tech program in the nation that 96% graduation rate for students completing one or more was truly high-tech. year(s) in the Tech-Now program. Dr. Roy Grizzard, first Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Labor 98% of students surveyed feel they benefitted from Department s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) participation in the Tech-Now program. chose to visit the Oklahoma HS/HT program to hold meetings with possible state funding partners. Tech-Now has served over 2500 students with disabilities in Oklahoma since Director DeRennaux has received several awards for the creation of Tech-Now and the positive impact the program During , the program has provided services to has had on individuals with disabilities including: over 360 students with disabilities across Oklahoma. President Obama s Champions of Change. The Champions of Since 2009, Tech-Now Inc. and its partners have provided Change program is part of President Obama's "Winning the over $78, in scholarships, tuition waivers, cash and Future" initiative, as the White House strives to "outawards to its students. innovate, out-educate and out-build the rest of the world." Tech-Now is currently funded by the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services, the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, public and private gifts. Tech-Now began through a grant from the Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council in Tech-Now is the only High School High Tech (HS HT) program in the nation to receive a National Science Foundation (NSF) Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) grant through a partnership with the University of Oklahoma. Oklahoma was one of only three of the 22 HS HT states to receive an extension grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) when the national program funding ended. During the last national HS HT conference Tech-Now was called the Gold Standard by Joan Wills, Senior Policy Fellow, Center for Workforce Development at the Institute for Educational Leadership, the technical assistant center for the national HS HT program. The Don Davis Award, the highest OKC Mayor s Committee Honor to an individual or group for positive impact in the disability community The Power To Dream Achievers Award, a state wide award presented to a group or individual for achievements related to the disability community Special Achievement Award from the Office of State Superintendent for Exemplified Leadership and Academic Achievement. Director DeRennaux has presented at numerous national and state conferences. Tech-Now Inc. was awarded the DRS Training Partner of the Year for Director DeRennaux received an Innovator of the year award from The Journal Record.

3 Transition Through Technology Tech-Now History Tech-Now was established in 1999 through a grant from the Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council. The pilot goal was to establish five after school transition programs to focus on technology skills development that would lead to better educational and employment opportunities for students with disabilities. With current support from the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services and the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, Tech-Now has evolved from an after school program to an in school class providing transition services to students in twenty-six school sites across the state. With the input of business, agency, and education professionals Tech-Now has developed its curricula to include a targeted focus on the skills necessary for successful employment by including specific activities for employment awareness, preparation, simulation and entrepreneurial experiences. Page 1 of 15

4 Guideposts For Success Guideposts for Success is a framework for comprehensive program transition services that was developed by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) through its National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth) after conducting an extensive review of almost 30 years of research, literature, demonstration projects and promising practices. *School Based Preparatory Experiences *Career Preparation And Work-Based Learning Experiences *Youth Development And Leadership *Connecting Activities *Family Involvement And Supports Page 2 of 15

5 Whitepaper, Whitepaper, Who Has The Whitepaper? As a teacher, I found most whitepapers that I read interesting; however what I needed were solutions to classroom challenges. I needed a proven program that would capture the attention of my students, keep them engaged, challenge them, and teach them relevant skills. Practice fosters progress Program is not a four letter word Computer class for credit Instructors skills development (Spinoffs) - VIDEO - - Student Work Samples - - Kimberly Osmani DRS Transition & Contracts - - Progress Report Form Based On Employer And DRS Guidance - Page 3 of 15

6 A. Milestone 1: Career Assessment and Exploration 1. Objectives: Students will be introduced to the computer and conduct a student interest inventory for career awareness. Students will complete a career exploration activity using the internet and other available resources. Students will identify academic and personal strengths. a. Activities: Interest Inventory Career Cluster Strengths and Needs b. Transition Outcomes: Increase Self-Awareness Identify Possible Career Options c. Computer and Related Technology Outcomes: Develop File Management Skills Increase Basic Keyboarding Skills Create Basic Spreadsheets Practice Basic Web Searching Skills Demonstrate Word Processing Skills Page 4 of 15

7 B. Milestone 2: Career Awareness and Research 1. Objectives: Students will participate in brainstorming, planning, revising and organizational activities. Students will incorporate research, digital photography, photo imaging, compositing, and desktop publishing skills. a. Activities: Activity 06 Career Poster and Packet and/or Activity 06.5 Career Cereal Box and Packet b. Transition Outcomes: Refine Written Communication Skills Improve Organizational Skills Follow Multi-Step Directions Accept Constructive Criticism Refine Career Cluster Selections Identify Career Information (Work Environment, Salary, Education and Benefits). c. Computer and Related Technology Outcomes: Practice Computer File Conversions Acquire Basic Desktop Publishing Skills (Design Composition, Editing, Revising, Importing, Masking and Scanning) Develop Software Application Proficiency Incorporate World-Wide-Web Targeted Research Page 5 of 15

8 C. Milestone 3: Employment Modeling 1. Objectives: Students will participate as a team to collaborate in problem solving activities with peers, experts and others for the purpose of developing solutions and/or products. Students will contribute to a knowledge base to compile, synthesize, revise and produce a model. a. Activities: Build and Race Car Activity b. Transition Outcomes: Simulate Manufacturing Process Establish Leadership and Team Roles Negotiate Distribution of Duties Work Effectively As a Team Member Practice the Skills of Planning, Organization, and Design Engage in Problem Solving and Conflict Resolution Improve Time Management and Task Completion Skills Understand Marketing Principles and Competition c. Computer and Related Technology Outcomes: Expand Basic Desktop Publishing Skills Develop Basic Financial Spreadsheet Use Specific Tools to Manufacture Product and Improve Fine Motor Skills Increase Product Quality through Individual Computer Strengths Page 6 of 15

9 D. Milestone 4: Employment Awareness and Preparation 1. Objectives: Students will utilize the internet and other resources to identify and prepare for part-time and/or summer employment opportunities. a. Activities: Identify local job opportunities (part-time/summer) Complete Employment Application Support Sheet Complete Hard Copy Practice Application Complete Electronic Practice Application b. Transition Outcomes: Increase Knowledge of the Job Search Process Improve Organizational Skills Identify Two Sources of Information for Part-Time and/or Summer Jobs Identify Three Possible Part-Time and/or Summer Jobs Prepare to Apply for Employment c. Computer and Related Technology Outcomes: Utilize Web Search Skills to Find Employment Information Improve Computer Keyboarding Skills Apply Basic Word-Processing Skills Page 7 of 15

10 E. Milestone 5: Medium Term Task Planning And Execution 1. Objectives: Students engage in brainstorming, research, planning, revising, and organizational activities to complete the project. Students incorporate digital photography, photo-imaging, compositing, and sequencing using desktop publishing and multimedia software applications. a. Activities: Activity 09 Long Animation depicting a career, and/or Activity 11 Multi-media video story depicting a career. b. Transition Outcomes Enhance written communication skills Follow multi-step directions Refine career selection Improve written organizational skills Complete multi-step project within a given timeframe Develop problem solving strategies Develop oral communication skills Learn to accept constructive criticism Page 8 of 15

11 c. Computer & Technology Outcomes Apply skills in desktop publishing Refine skills using photo editing and compositing Introduction to digital music creation Develop original audio work to accompany story in the Movie Book Introduction to digital music creation Develop original audio work to accompany story in the Movie Book Introduction to digital video production studio Develop proficiency in using digital audio recording hardware/software Page 9 of 15

12 F. Milestone 6: Employment Awareness and Preparation through the Development of Entrepreneurial Projects (E-Projects) 1. Objectives: Students will increase their understanding of advertising, marketing, and product development. Students will use problem solving and critical thinking skills to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate product development and production. Students will increase understanding of the benefits of working as a team, utilizing individual and team strengths and evaluating contributions of members. a. Activities Form groups (minimum 3, maximum 6) of students. Complete a peer and teacher evaluation form on level of team member contribution. Create entrepreneurial projects with a focus on the transition skills involving product selection, marketing, development, and sales e.g. posters, table tents, rubber stamps, photographs, and/or a variety of custom type and sizes of pins. Complete a Custom Order Form. Invite and interact with local business owners, discussing how to start and run a business from the ground up, staffing issues, costs, inventory, how to determine hours of operation, choosing a location, making your brand and getting it known, profits/losses, unexpected issues, etc. Make a display (similar to a science fair project) showing examples of the e- projects, advertising material, product sales, team member photograph, etc. Complete a time sheet. b. Transition Outcomes Establish leadership and team member roles. Page 10 of 15

13 Negotiate distribution of duties based on strengths and interests. Increase the individual s ability to recognize and evaluate the contributions of the team members. Improve oral and written communication. Follow multi-step directions. Strengthen critical thinking and problem solving skills. Work as a member of a team. Improve social skills as it relates to potential customers, community, and team members. Engage in conflict resolution. Complete a long term task. Experience ownership as it relates to duties, team, products and reward. c. Computer & Related Technology Outcomes Apply basic desktop publishing skills. File conversion Refine business skills using office suite application software. Develop and sell products using technology skills. Page 11 of 15

14 G. Milestone 7: Critical Steps To Securing Employment 1. Objectives: Students will utilize the internet and other resources to locate available jobs and to research interviewing tips for job seekers. Students will create a resume documenting their past experience, education, and career objectives. Students will identify and list two references for contact by employers. They will improve oral communications skills by participating in a mock interview. Students will evaluate peers and practice giving and receiving constructive criticism. a. Activities Identify job opportunities Create a one page resume Compose a cover letter Practice responses to common interview questions Participate in a mock interview Complete a peer evaluation checklist Page 12 of 15

15 b. Transition Outcomes Improve oral communication skills. Develop the ability to respond to questions relating to themselves and their career objectives. Practice written communication skills. Summarize personal data. Accept and give constructive criticism Apply suggested improvements to future interview opportunities. Complete a resume with references. Improve readiness for employment. c. Computer & Related Technology Outcomes Utilize web search skills to find employment information. Refine computer keyboarding skills. Apply basic word processing skills. Page 13 of 15

16 Tech-Now Student Percentages By Disability Category 2010 Page 14 of 15

17 Questions & Answers Contact Information: Rick DeRennaux, President Tech-Now Inc. Page 15 of 15