Abstract
Sarah K. Howorth, PhD, BCBA-D (President) Sean J. Smith, PhD (Past President) Tara Kaczorowski, PhD (President-Elect) Margaret Bausch, EdD (Interim Vice President) Sam Choo, PhD (Secretary) Marci Jerome, PhD (Treasurer) Emily Hoeh, PhD (Member at Large) Alekandra Hollingshead, EdD (Member at Large)
Greeting to the members of Innovations in Special Education Technology (ISET) and all the individuals who look to Journal of Special Education Technology (JSET) as a resource for research and practice specific to innovations for individuals with disabilities. This is the Board’s inaugural article/message that we will publish going forward. For this first message, we would like to update readers on the 2020 ISET goals: (a) increase the accessibility of our resources and awareness of this as a need in technological tools for all students, (b) review and update our popular Assistive Technology (AT) Wheel and create an app version of this valuable tool, (c) provide a quarterly update on the work of our division to our members, (d) apply for an impact factor for JSET, and (d) continue to plan for another successful Technology Playground at Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) 2021 in Baltimore. Below, we offer an overview.
Accessibility
ISET has created a new workgroup to focus on issues of accessibility. We are still recruiting members of this workgroup from our ISET membership, so if you are interested in joining, please contact us! This group will work to (a) evaluate and improve the accessibility of ISET resources and (b) create and compile differentiated resources for members to help them better understand what “accessibility” really means and how it intersects with AT and Universal Design for Learning.
JSET Impact Factor Update
Joe Boyle and Michael Kennedy worked with our Sage representative, Allison Leung, earlier this year to prepare the impact factor application. ISET leadership also provided important information about the organization for the application. Allison and her team submitted the application to Clairvaite. It is unknown how long the process will take; however, ISET members can help by citing JSET articles every time they write a manuscript. This is especially important when publishing in other journals with an official impact factor.
Technology in Action Videos
As we make progress on our established goals, we have also been working closely to support special education professionals during the 2020 COVID Pandemic. We have made a new Technology in Action Video series: The Least You Need to Know Series. These can be found in our Practice Portal on our website: https://www.isetcec.org/section/tech-in-action-videos/
Technology Considerations for Return to School
In response to districts’ plans to reopen schools, ISET has developed Technology Considerations for Students Receiving Special Education Services as Schools Reopen that can be found on our website under Research to Practice.
Technology Playground
At the Portland Convention, ISET and CEC worked collaboratively to sponsor the first Technology Playground. The tech playground was comprised of four different types of sessions: Vendor Sandbox, Educator Experience, Student Spotlight, and Research to Practice Connections. There were many purposes for the Tech Playground including (a) to increase the participants’ knowledge about AT and instructional technology tools that address the needs of various special populations, (b) to be exposed to new and innovative products that highlight emerging potential for special education, (c) to learn about successful technology implementation practices in other districts or universities, (d) to increase awareness of some of the challenges students face, (e) how technology helps address those challenges, and (f) to explore innovative technology–based interventions developed by OSEP-funded projects. Based on the feedback collected, the tech playground was very successful and a needed component of the CEC convention. The small group and interactive component of the playground was a benefit for those who participated. An even bigger experiential playground is being planned for the 2021 convention, where participants can build on their knowledge of technology and its benefits for students receiving special education services. Make plans now to visit the Technology Playground in Baltimore!
AT Wheel Goes Digital!
For years, educators, parents, and school leaders used the original AT Wheel to select appropriate resources for individualized education plans. A couple of years ago, the AT Wheel was updated with new content and resources. The AT Wheel is a handy, compact tool that maps student needs in a variety of areas to dozens of potential AT solutions. Now, the AT Wheel is going digital. It is scheduled to be available later this fall. Corresponding digital and analog tools that address the particular needs of students in the areas of hearing, vision, mobility, recreation, activities of daily living, interaction with the environment, positioning and seating, communication, reading, written composition, organization, math, motor aspects of writing, and physical access to technology will be available with a swipe of your finger. The app will be available on IOS and Android platforms. Be on the lookout for the digital AT Wheel!
