Hi Emma,
I am a freelance trainer, an assessor, a former disability officer and a
campaigner and so have an interest in your comments.
I aim to offer a person-centred approach to the clients' training sessions
that I deliver and I don't feel that I need to know anything about a person
before I train them. I feel that this advance knowledge can lead to people
having certain preconceptions which isn't healthy and can lead to laziness
and complacency.
I train in most software strategies, with the exception of JAWS as I am not
a user myself and don't currently have the time to develop my knowledge of
that complex program. I probably don't know everything about every program,
but I know how to find out quickly. I learn something new everyday from the
questions I am asked by clients - this may sound like I don't know much, but
there is a lot of truth to the saying - the more you know the more you
realize you don't know. I won't know anything soon :-)
I also know what programs should do and so can reassure clients when
programs don't do what they should that it is not they (the client) who are
doing something wrong. This situation can be intimidating and off putting
for users. Again I feel this is exacerbated by underspecified machines.
Another thing I keep going on about on one list or another.
Wherever possible I would try to relate training to the work that a student
has on the go. Where this is not possible the training might be aimed at
creating an individualised user manual for the user as they know how they
learn and how they will best remember. Visual, textual and/or aural/oral as
required. They may not know they know this, but I aim to help them to
realize this or at least begin to consider this and then suggest they carry
this philosophy through to other pieces of work.
I use plain English - non jargon - but using targeted essential language
which is used within computer systems - widely used vocabulary necessary to
function and interact. I will patiently repeat this language and any points,
if so required, until the client is comfortable and has grasped the
necessary information.
I also don't have a set way of doing things as everyone is different and in
my opinion good training has a solid framework basis, but requires
flexibility to wrap around the clients' own learning styles.
I work all around the country. Please contact me off list for any further
information. I would also be interested in the names of the three
universities you mention, off list.
Best wishes,
Alex
Alex Larg
[log in to unmask]
07931 561 877 or 07916 175 077
Freelance Assistive Technology Trainer
Freelance study needs assessor
Former Disability Officer
------ Forwarded Message
From: Emma Wright <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: "Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff."
<[log in to unmask]>
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2007 18:51:12 +0100
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: training
I keep hearing all this about training, but I've never been offered
any! Nor have any of the students I've interviewed as part of my
research across (so far) three universities. What sort of training
for what sort of software tends to be offered?
Emma
On 26/03/07, George Bell <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Might I perhaps suggest that people take a serious look at
> http://www.bcab.org.uk/training.html
>
> This is an initiative taken by the British Computer
> Association of the Blind (BCAB) in response to complaints
> about poor standards of training in the use of I.T.
> equipment.
>
> Many organisations, including the Department of Employment
> for example, are now insisting that contracted trainers are
> BTCS (BCAB Trainer Certification Scheme) approved.
>
> Food for thought?
>
> George Bell.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Discussion list for disabled students and their
> support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
> Of David Austen
> Sent: 26 March 2007 13:51
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: training
>
> Posted without comment
> extract from the 'form' letter sent out to students
> regarding their DSA
> provision. This is from a local LEA
> ( I do not think it is appropriate to name which one).
>
> "Recently, some students have informed us that they felt
> pressurized
> into accepting training provided by their University.
> Please note that the LEA only uses training companies who
> are
> thoroughly reliable and have many years' experience.with
> equipment
> training for disabled students.
> If you feel that you have been treated unfairly by any
> individual or by
> a professional body, please contact us immediately and we
> will ensure
> appropriate action is taken".
>
--
Emma Jane Wright
School of Sociology and Social Policy
University of Nottingham
[log in to unmask]
www.accessingmaterials.org.uk
------ End of Forwarded Message
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