Bishop Anstey Case Study (1)
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A science teacher at Bishop Anstey High School noticed that a hearing-impaired student felt excluded from class activities. She worked with students to create a specialized science curriculum using Microsoft technologies, including accessible video games and online assessments. The project helped students better understand challenges faced by those with hearing disabilities. For her innovation, the teacher received an award for improving accessibility in education.
Bishop Anstey Case Study (1)
- 1. High School Uses Innovative Accessibility Activities to Teach Invaluable Lessons When Janadi Gonzalez-Lord, a science teacher at Bishop Anstey High School East, noticed that a hearing- impaired student was feeling excluded from certain learning activities, she decided to take action. She worked with her students and members of the local community to develop a specialized science curriculum. Students used Microsoft technologies to create rich-media learning tools, including video games and online assessments, designed with accessibility in mind for those with hearing impairments. Gonzalez was recently recognized for her innovation with a first-place award at the 2012 Latin America and Caribbean Partners in Learning Innovative Educators Forum in Lima, Peru. On a Mission to Teach Science (and So Much More!) Bishop Anstey High School East (BAHSE) was established in 2001 as an all-girls secondary school rooted in the faith tradition of the Anglican Church. Located in Trincity, Trinidad, a fast-growing metropolitan area, the school specializes in providing a comprehensive and challenging course of study designed to prepare students for higher education. A major component of the school’s mission is to recognize and promote the unique contributions of each student. Janadi Gonzalez-Lord, a science teacher at BAHSE, recently noticed that one student, who is hard of hearing, was not receiving the kind of individualized attention that she needed to succeed. “The traditional lesson plans that most of us are familiar with are not necessarily designed to include students with physical or learning impairments,” says Gonzalez. “This particular student felt isolated from her peers, and in some ways, invisible in the classroom.” Gonzalez wanted to raise awareness among her students and others in the school community about the importance of inclusiveness for all learners. She began to work with her students to brainstorm ideas for a science project that would incorporate content accessible to children of all abilities. One of the key learning objectives—beyond imparting science facts—was to help students better appreciate the challenges that people with hearing disabilities face each day. Throughout the process of planning this customized lesson, Gonzalez emphasized integrating technology into each learning activity. Leaders at BAHSE view the everyday use of computers in the classroom as essential to helping prepare students for twenty-first century careers. To move the project forward quickly, Gonzalez was eager to take advantage of software-based accessibility tools that the school already owned and that the students already knew how to use. Reaching for the Stars with Microsoft Accessibility Tools During the 2011–2012 school year, Gonzalez and her students devised a project titled “The Solar System: Reaching for the Stars.” Over the course of four weeks, Gonzalez and her students developed the activities and learning assessments for this project, in collaboration with students from the Cascade School for the Deaf in Trinidad. “By using technology from Microsoft to create interactive, accessible learning activities, my students ultimately came away with a better appreciation of deaf culture. And that is something they will bring with them out into the world, wherever they go.” —Janadi Gonzalez-Lord, Teacher, Bishop Anstey High School East
- 2. With guidance from Gonzalez and input from members of the deaf community, the students created a project with three distinct phases. The first phase involved building a planetarium that students could tour to learn interesting facts about each of the planets in the solar system. The class followed instructions from the Microsoft Worldwide Telescope product website to build the structure. Then, students used Windows Movie Maker, Microsoft Photo Story, and Microsoft PowerPoint to design and create video journals to chronicle their peers’ journeys through the planetarium. For the second part of the project, students used Kodu Game Lab for Windows to invent their own video game. Kodu is designed specifically for children, enabling students to learn basic object-oriented programming skills at an early age—while developing interactive, rich- media games that can be enjoyed by everyone. As part of the lesson plan, the BAHSE students prepared instructions for the game in both sign language and in written-form. The third phase of the project focused on assessing performance against key learning objectives. Students used a number of Microsoft technologies, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Windows Movie Maker, to create worksheets, video summaries, and more. “Microsoft offers so many easy-to-use multimedia tools for creating content that all learners can benefit from,” says Gonzalez. “Because the kids were already familiar with how Microsoft programs work, they became immersed in the subject matter, which is enough to make any teacher happy.” Revolutionizing Education for Students of All Abilities Gonzalez was recently recognized for her innovative approach to helping students deepen their understanding of those who are deaf or hearing impaired. At the Latin America and Caribbean Partners in Learning Innovative Educators Forum, held in Lima, Peru, in September 2012, she was awarded first place in the category of “Innovation in Difficult Circumstances.” “By using technology from Microsoft to create interactive, accessible learning activities, my students ultimately came away with a better appreciation of deaf culture,” says Gonzalez. “And that is something they will bring with them out into the world, wherever they go.” Students used Kodu Game Lab for Windows to develop a video game, which was accessible to hearing-impaired students. For many years, BAHSE has benefitted from working closely with the Microsoft Partners in Learning program. The purpose of this program is to help educators and school leaders connect, collaborate, create, and share to enrich learning opportunities and improve the lives of their students. Gonzalez noted how moving it was to participate in the 2012 Partners in Learning Forum in Peru. “I was inspired by the achievements of teachers from around the world, who understand the need for accessibility in education,” says Gonzalez. “It is clear to me that Microsoft is at the forefront in helping to revolutionize education. And I’m proud to be a part of that revolution.” “It’s clear to me that Microsoft is at the forefront in helping to revolutionize education. And I’m proud to be a part of that revolution.” —Janadi Gonzalez-Lord, Teacher, Bishop Anstey High School East Accessibility in Education www.microsoft.com/education/enable Empower all students with accessible technology. Students with disabilities and learning style differences face unique challenges in learning and in life. Microsoft is dedicated to building accessibility into our products, and also providing accessibility resources for educators. ©2012 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. This document is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY.