Supporting a Comprehensive Technology System: Roles of an On-site Technology Team

Research since the early 1980s shows the benefits of assistive technology applications for children with disabilities. This video reviews the Early Childhood Comprehensive Technology System (ECCTS), a collaborative research project carried out between Just Kids Early Childhood Center in Middle Island, NY, and the Center for Best Practice in Early Childhood Education at Western Illinois University.

Results of the ECCTS study support the results of earlier studies, namely, that innovations in technology such as computers, switches, adapted keyboards, and other assistive devices can level the playing field for young children with disabilities and provide access to activities in the general early childhood curriculum.

However, while access to appropriate equipment and software is important, these tools do not in themselves accomplish miracles. Successful technology implementation requires that teachers, therapists, and support staff have access to ongoing training, technical support, and consultation.

As Cathy Tasso, Director of Education Programs at Just Kids observes, a tech team is an element that schools often overlook: ?When we purchased computers in the past, we weren?t smart enough to have a tech team. We had only the computers here at our disposal. We had one resident expert that helped us if the printer jammed, but no one that could really talk about how to enhance curriculum or how to get the children to be independent on the computer, or how the children could actually use the computer to enhance socialization and other skills.?

The video concludes that having an on-site technology support team is essential to the success of a school?s technology program. Closed captioned.

Available on VHS and DVD

Produced By: Center for Best Practices in Early Childhood

30 minutes