Project RETOOL: Training in Advanced Technology Applications for Post-Doctoral Leadership Personnel. Special Projects. Final Report.

Overview & Synopsis

Project RETOOL's goal was to provide a quality training program in special education technology for teacher educators. The training was designed for higher education faculty who had mastered the basics of microcomputer operations and applications in special education. Project staff, in cooperation with consultants and trainers and with the support of Council for Exceptional Children staff: (1) formed a Project Advisory Council; (2) identified microcomputing competencies needed by higher education faculty members who are preparing special education personnel; (3) located or developed training modules on microcomputer applications in special education; (4) field tested the training packets; (5) conducted training for post-doctoral leadership personnel on the competency-based training modules; (6) conducted training for teacher educators on three authoring systems developed specifically for special education; (7) disseminated project information and products; (8) evaluated the project's activities, products, and processes; and (9) maintained a project management system. Training materials focused on "AppleWorks,""Electric Desk," authoring systems, telecommunications applications, expert systems, hypermedia, interactive videodiscs, and adaptive and assistive devices. Appendixes include a list of the members of the Project Advisory Council, a copy of a paper by A. Edward Blackhurst et al. titled "Microcomputing Competencies for Special Education Professors," samples of promotional materials, a table showing the geographic distribution of training participants, and project evaluation data. (JDD)