[Trainer-Talk] Seeking tips for remote group screen-reader training

[Mabry, Jessie]

Hi everyone,

I have been asked to head up some virtual training workshops for blind high school students in my state. The idea, as proposed to me, is to offer virtual JAWS lessons to a small cohort that will be expected to demonstrate learning between sessions and connect on a mailing list for mutual support. This will be my first such project, so I'm hoping some of you have done something similar. I have a few questions:


  *   First, I'd like the workshops to be interactive instead of making the students listen to me lecture and demo skills, and then not ask questions till the end. I won't be able to hear all their copies of JAWS, but I want to make sure they are following along. Any ideas for how I can check in besides having each of them demo in front of the cohort or taking their word for it that they have completed a task?
  *   Is Zoom a good platform for this type of thing or is there a better one?
  *   Are there any curricula or roadmaps that you find work well for youth?
  *   Do you have deliverables or homework?
  *   Are weekly classes best to maintain momentum, or could I run them less often?

Thanks for any feedback you might have.

Jessie Mabry
Access Technologist
Children's Services Program
Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB)
184 Windsor Avenue
Windsor, CT, 06095
860-578-5373, (text or call)
jessie.mabry at ct.gov<mailto:jessie.mabry at ct.gov>

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