Kansas Distance Mentorship Project

A Bridge to Better TeachingKansas Distance Mentorship Project

Organizational PartnersKansas State School for the BlindKansas Deaf-Blind ProjectNational Consortium on Deaf-Blindness

Dr. Anne Nielsen (KSSB)Robert Taylor (KSSB)Megan Cote (DB Project)Jon Harding (NCDB)

Change is Hard!

Traditional model of TACrisisRequest for Help (Immediately!)On-site visit by expert from outsideA crowd gathers and waits for the epiphanyAssessments are conducted (sometimes randomly)Reports are createdRecommendations are madeLife goes on (Best of Luck!)

Why adopt a new TA model?Increased demand for Technical AssistanceExpense of on-site TALimited resources (time, money, personnel)Teachers need time to practice, observe, and reflectOSEP encouragementLimited effectiveness of traditional modelsInnovation is necessary!

Goals of DMPBring agencies together to build trust and respectCreate an innovative model Determine effectiveness and acceptance of modelCreate springboard for systems change in respective agenciesDevelop rapport with primary teacher, team, familyIncrease teacher skills (observation, wait time, communication development, etc.)Narrow focus of TA via routinesIncrease communication among school teamCreate long-term impact (generalization of new skills to new kids and environments)

The DMP PackageVideo Capture and PostingElectronic Repository (Wiki)Web Conferencing

DMP combines these three elements into one TA package that is designed to promote accountability (for both consultants and recipients).

DMP essentials (beyond big 3)Existing relationship with teacher/teamExplanation of DMP beforehand: expectations articulated Administrative commitment: ie: teams permitted to use wiki and meet monthly with consultants.More than one consultant (relationships must be secure!)Videos of routines must be captured weekly.Wikis must be updated weekly.Single point of contactConfidentiality formsTeams must come to web conferences prepared (questions, etc)Outcomes targeted in advanceAction PlansPerson-Centered Plan

VIDEO EXCHANGE/POSTINGShort clips (5 mins or less)Flip cams are used (easy, easy, EASY!)Uploaded to video hosting site (Vimeo, drop.io)Video hosting site linked to wikiFocus is on routines (eating, circle time, PT time, etc)Teacher/student interaction is essentialClips captured at least 1x per weekTeachers need to provide context (ask questions, make comments, etc).

Video hosting sitesConcern about security and inappropriate content.YouTube and/or Facebook are not ideal sites for that reason.TeacherTube, other hosting sites are more secure, but often costs $ to join.Drop.io has been a good choice for security, but is going out of business.DropboxVimeoBox.netMediaFireZumoDrive

10Video 1

Video 2

Video 3

Video 4

Wiki SitesElectronic repository for discussion, resources, videoServes as permanent record for TA consult and progressEliminates emailing and lost filesConsultants can post observations, suggestions, or pertinent tools (assessment forms, observation forms, etc)Team members who are not part of routine can keep tabs on progress.Family members can follow along and/or participate.Requires minimal skill to set up

Wikis weve usedGoogle Sites: every team member needs google accountPassword requiredFairly robust (widgets, add-ons)

Wetpaint: Very simpleLots of adds on free versionEmbedding video not as easy

Weebly: simple website and blog

WEB CONFERENCINGFace to Face meetings between consultants and team.Held once a month for 1.5 2 hoursThis is venue to address issues: How are things going? Are you satisfied with suggestions What questions do you have? Action plans are created at end of web conferenceBetter than phone conference because nonverbal cues are visible. Once bad hair day syndrome is addressed, most teams become comfortable with it.Requires consultant team to confer in advance and prioritize suggestions.Good to have a backup plan (ie: phone)

Web Conferencing tools weve usedSKYPE (point to point only)Adobe Connect Polycom

What about Video Editing?Keep it simple!!Example: Quicktime Pro vs Camtasia. Smaller clips are much easier to share and manipulate.Adding text is a nice way to emphasize content.Make sure you get permissions!

Tips to ensure commitment Take the innovation where it is wanted!!!Explain DMP process and expectations earlyHave a relationship with teacher/team BEFORE you try thisCreate action plans and write down to dosExplain that DMP is free TA and much more intensive that traditional TAMove quickly to routines and show progress early. Start small (limit video to specific activities/routines)Find specific things teachers are doing well and recognize that!Get team using Wiki EARLYAgree on web conference days in advanceUse forms and ask team to complete

Excuses you will hear! (and our response)Our school (IT person, principal, etc) will NEVER allow this! (Have you asked?)Are these sites secure? (Secure is a sliding scale. The wikis we use are password protected and not attractive to typical hackers)Im not any good with technology! (We arent either, lets learn together!)We cant get everyone together at that time (no problem, lets choose another time).We cant access wiki sites at school. (We mightbe able to convince the IT guy, can we meet with him/her?)Mom/Dad/family doesnt have internet. (Maybe they can use school/library/friends computer? Is there another way we can share progress?)Etc etc.

OutcomesService Provider Increases in:Understanding impacts of DBUse of strategies to improve communicationUse of strategies to improve choice makingUse of object symbolsUse of scheduling/calendar systems

Child Increases in:Active engagement in instructionUse of sensory systemsSocial interactions

Best Practices shared in DMP (examples):RoutinesPerson Centered PlanningBuilding trust with childObservational skillsChoice-MakingCalendar SystemsCommunication AssessmentVision AssessmentWait Time strategiesObject Symbol selectionHand Under Hand and importance of touchTouch CuesSelf-Determination strategiesData-Collection

What consultants like about DMP:Shared responsibilityCollegialityTA in the trenchesAllows documentation of progress over timeBuilding relationships with providersConstant stream of feedback via wikisBuilding capacity and communication of teamsIncreases accountability of TA recipientsAllows for family involvement and input

DMP FORMS

DMP FORMS:

Brochure

Brochure

DB Perspectives Article Vol 17, Issue 2

Next StepsSteppingstones Grant ApplicationNew Teams for 2011Refining processExpanding Outreach and Dissemination