[Trainer-talk] Assessing Consumers

Mon Nov 15 22:39:18 UTC 2010

On 11/15/10, Steve Cook <STCook at sccb.sc.gov> wrote:
> Thanks for this info!
>
> Steve Cook
> Assistive Technology Specialist
> SC Commission for the Blind
> 1430 Confederate Avenue
> Columbia, SC 29201
> Office: (803) 898-8788
> Fax: (803) 898-8882
> E-Mail: stcook at sccb.sc.gov
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: trainer-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:trainer-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Laine M. Amoureux
> Sent: Friday, November 12, 2010 5:52 PM
> To: List for teachers and trainers of adaptive technology
> Subject: Re: [Trainer-talk] Assessing Consumers
>
> I have been using Talking Typing Teacher in two ways to assess typing speed.
> I use the "typing speed" option from the main menu, and ask clients to type
> for 2 minutes. In this exercise they must think of what to type. I will then
> perform two other tests, I will go to "word practice" on the main menu, and
> ask clients to type dictated words, and I will go to "sentence practice" and
> typically select level 2. If they client struggles with spelling in level 2
> I will take them down to level 1. I report all of the numbers for the
> counselors, as we found recently that typing something that is being
> dictated reduces a clients typing speed. This made a tremendous difference
> for clients being placed in Customer Service settings, like a call center,
> where customers were dictating information.
> I have also been assessing Windows Concepts skills along with the Assistive
> Technology the client has used in the past. If the client has not used AT in
> the past I ask a series of questions regarding how they have navigated the
> computer in the past. This helps me give a better estimate of length of time
> needed for training, if counselors ask for it.
> I have recently been asked to assess reading skills. I am currently
> assigning a reading that I know is 328 words long and timing people, as well
> as asking people to read for 10 minutes, and seeing how far they get. I have
> been asked to assess the clients level of fatigue, how long can they read
> before they get tired.
> I have been using college text books, short stories I have found over the
> years, that are in Word format, so that I can judge font size if needed, as
> well as allowing people who need or are interested in using a CCTV, and
> reporting what level of magnification they use, any color enhancements, and
> how long it takes them  to read 328 words.
> Counselors seem to be interested in reading speed, not grade level.   The
> reading speed has been used as leverage to encourage clients to use digital
> texts.
> I was most recently asked to find a way to assess a clients skills for a
> specific job setting, a call center. In this case I will be assessing the
> clients Braille reading speed, ability to type while being spoken to, and
> ability to multi-task on the computer, switching from one application to
> another.  This assessment will be interesting... The counselor wants me to
> recreate, as closely as possible, a call center environment, I hope that
> answers your question.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Steve Cook
> Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2010 6:50 AM
> To: List for teachers and trainers of adaptive technology
> Subject: Re: [Trainer-talk] Assessing Consumers
>
> Thanks Nancy.
>
> Steve Cook
> Assistive Technology Specialist
> SC Commission for the Blind
> 1430 Confederate Avenue
> Columbia, SC 29201
> Office: (803) 898-8788
> Fax: (803) 898-8882
> E-Mail: stcook at sccb.sc.gov
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: trainer-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:trainer-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of nancy coffman
> Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2010 8:46 AM
> To: List for teachers and trainers of adaptive technology
> Subject: Re: [Trainer-talk] Assessing Consumers
>
> We use Talking Typing Teacher to test typing speed. I will have them edit a
> docunent. I use Jaws, System Access, Zoomtext and Magic.
>
> nancy coffman
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Steve Cook <STCook at sccb.sc.gov>
> Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2010 7:13 AM
> To: List for teachers and trainers of adaptive technology
> <trainer-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [Trainer-talk] Assessing Consumers
>
> Good Morning All,
>
> Here at the SC Commission for the Blind when we bring in consumers to assess
> their skills for training.  We assess their typing skills, over all computer
> skills with the assistive technology they have used in the past, and
> spelling and vocabulary.  What other areas are agencies assessing consumers
> in before entering training for employment?  Also, what are you using to
> assess the consumers with?  Thanks for your help!
>
> Steve Cook
> Assistive Technology Specialist
> SC Commission for the Blind
> 1430 Confederate Avenue
> Columbia, SC 29201
> Office: (803) 898-8788
> Fax: (803) 898-8882
> E-Mail: stcook at sccb.sc.gov
>
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> IMPORTANT NOTICE This transmission may contain information that is
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> into which it is received and opened, it is the responsibility of the
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> notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the
> information contained herein (including any reliance thereon) is STRICTLY
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> be free of any virus or other defect that might affect any computer system
> into which it is received and opened, it is the responsibility of the
> recipient to ensure that it is virus free and no responsibility is accepted
> by SCCB., for any loss or damage arising in any way from its use. If you
> received this transmission in error, please immediately contact the sender
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