Student's Computer Abilities

The page suggests abilities or skills that students should be working on at various grade levels.

Kindergarten:

learning to read (braille)

learning to write (braille)

using a braille writer

more motor planning

more fine motor development

method of getting more immediate feedback from print or braille materials

method of producing print

expanded orientation; safe movement around several rooms

beginning use of low vision aids (magnifiers, telescopes), continuing throughout school

Minimize amount of use and time of auditory letter recognition

tracking skills

correlation between mobility skills and ability to navigate on the screen

Exploration of keyboard - Arrow keys, return, on/off, pieces parts. Home row, #, beginning touch typing

Low vision students - mouse, CCTV,

Care and Feeding - proper behavior around technology, care for the equipment

completion of Braille to print conversion for immediate feedback
touch typing continues
slate and stylus use
continued writing on a Braille writer
more print production
portable note taking or assignment writing system
electronic Braille production
better orientation and mobility skills
introduction to hand printing or cursive writing (for Braille students)
exploration of and introduction to the types of computers used in the junior high school computer literacy course
use of tape player/recorder for textbooks, leisure reading, and note-taking. sources, RFB&D, TSL etc.
on going tech assessment
begin trouble shooting computer/equipment problems
care and feeding, maintenance of technology/Aids/prosthesis (Eye care - personal hygiene)
Personal control of environmental adaptations
Aware of their own visual condition - no concept of how others see, how much you can see, need to communicate the information to the teacher and/or others, and how it relates to using technology
begin telecommunications, e-mail, research/library skills
CD-ROM, Multimedia
Scanner - introduction
Access system instruction
Tape books/disks use,

Seventh and Eighth grade:

independent electronic print production, including cable interfacing

signature writing

note taking in an organized fashion

access to the computer literacy course

introduction to speech and/or large print access system for the type of computer systems used by the high school

ordering necessary large print, Braille, or audio books

expand telecommunication skills

efficient, independent note taking using various methods,
assignment generation to print for teachers
efficient and independent production of student created print/Braille materials for proofreading purposes
learning a speech and/or large print access system for homework production
learning of a word processing program with the access system.
identify the courses the student wishes to take that requires a computer and determine if the speech and/or large print access program will meet the need, or will new features need to be learned. Such as spreadsheet or database programs.
required computer courses for graduation from high school
knowledge of the variety of access available, and sources of information
advanced telecommunication skills
Information inquiry system
Personal skills, interacting with others, assertiveness skills
Develop research skills
Reader (people) skills, selecting, managing
Piece work/free lance - marketable job skills
Rehab - should not assume they need to straight to rehabilitation center from school, they need to take responsibility for their life and future

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Last Revision: May 13, 2003