Survey on BYOD and AT: Call for Participation!

This information came through from our friends at Region 4 Education Service Center in Houston, TX.

Take a few minutes and participate.

Many schools are adopting or considering policy on Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) but don’t always take into account assistive technology tools. Issues involving loading educational software on personal devices, appropriate support – or if the specialized feature is needed to access educational content are just some of the topics being discussed.

Region 4 is running a survey to find out what policies are being put in place and/or opinions on what the policy should be! Please consider completing the survey and feel free to share the link with education, AT, and therapy staff.

www.surveymonkey.com/s/BYO-AT

After the initial few questions the survey gives you the option of answering what IS your BYOD-AT policy or if you don’t have a school policy yet (or don’t like the policy as written) – then what is your opinion about what should be included in the policy. The survey is anonymous and will be tabulated on (January 22^nd). Results will be posted, see below.

Bring your own device (BYOD) is a policy concerning bringing personally owned mobile devices to work (school) and using those devices to access (school) resources such as email, file servers, databases as well as (school) applications and data.

Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) covers a broader phenomenon, which not only includes the hardware device(s), but also the software used on the device (e.g. web browser, media player, antivirus, word processor).

A results table will be posted after Feb. 2^nd, at: www.epsilen.com/tpeters1

Click on the BYOT & AT tab at left.

Improve Your Search Skills

I don’t know about you, but if I am not careful, I can lose large chunks of time searching online. I’ll type a quick something into the slot, 276,344 responses will pop up and I’ll be off. It’s not the most effective way to search, especially for someone easily sidetracked and susceptible to the parade of ads popping out all over the screen. The good news is, there is help for folks like me.

Google offers courses online to help searchers get the information they need quickly and efficiently. Daniel M. Russell, a Senior Research Specialist at Google, hosts a YouTube series on Power Searching that demonstrates how use the most efficient search terms, narrow a search and ensure credibility.

If you’re ready to take your search skills to the next level, Mr. Russell will be starting an Advanced Power Searching Course online on January 23, 2013. The class features 12 practice challenges, a couple of assignments and a certificate for those who complete the course.

Mark Your Calendars!

Advancing Opportunities’ Assistive Technology Services Department is pleased to announce it will be hosting the Assistive Technology Showcase at this year’s Abilities Expo in Edison!  Stop by for hands-on demonstrations of the latest devices or just come by and say hello to our team.

The Abilities Expo, an event dedicated to educating and improving the lives of people with disabilities and their families and caregivers, will be held from Friday, May 3^rd through Sunday, May 5^th at the New Jersey Convention Center in Edison, New Jersey.   Admission is free.  You can learn more and register here:  http://www.abilitiesexpo.com/newyork/index.html

This year’s Ambassadors include retired Air Force officer Ian James Brown, parent and advocate Dana Dago-Clark and international aid worker and missionary Amanda Sullivan. Learn more about their amazing stories here: http://www.abilitiesexpo.com/newyork/ambassador_program.html

Happy New Year! We are back.

Well we have taken a hiatus from our blog during the last half of 2012, but we are back in 2013.

We will continue some of our frequent posts, such as the TLC Spotlight, as well as sharing some other regular posts from new staff who have joined our ATS department. Stay tuned!