Lakeland School Walworth County, WI
The Project
Lakeland School is one of only four county-wide special education school districts in Wisconsin.
As one of the first schools to embrace the satalight™, Lakeland uses it as a handicapped accessible SMART Board and computer touch screen.
When the new powered satalight™ became available, Lakeland evaluated it with their students. Teachers were able to quickly adjust the height and angle of the touch screen surface and immediately adapt computer based instruction for children standing or seated at different heights.
These teachers were already satalight™ users, and they immediately loved our new power lift and tilt controls. Every time a different height student came to use the satalight™, the teacher quickly made adjustments as needed, with only a push of a button.
Mason is a delightful five-year-old wheelchair bound student. He rolls up to the satalight™, and in 20 seconds, his teacher adjusted the angle
and height of the board, so the bottom edge is just above his lap. Adjustment happens so quickly and easily, that there’s no disruption in teaching. Mason is using the satalight™ as a touch screen.
Early childhood special education teacher Martha Swan is adjusting the satalight™ for the shortest student at Lakeland School, so it is a perfect "fit" for him. A single, perfect-fit device for many special needs students is truly a rare assistive technology tool.
Another student uses a "What Day Is It" SMART Notebook file to reinforce calendar and scheduling skills. Lakeland teacher Ms. Bervard modified a daily calendar program she found on the internet, to adapt it to her special needs class, and added audio files for added student reinforcement.
At Lakeland School, students collaborate using the satalight™, while the teacher serves as the instructional facilitator. At Lakeland, teachers
say "When I use the satalight™, students wait for their turn. They are so interested in watching the screen; they sit patiently and wait… It is very motivating! The children are very engaged, and because the satalight™ works with internet sites, the learning possibilities are endless."
Many special needs students have difficulty using a regular computer mouse. A finger touch interface is much more intuitive for them to use. The satalight™ is the best UDL implementation of a SMART Board, by taking this interactive whiteboard / touch screen technology, and adapting it to the needs of physically challenged students.
About Lakeland School
Lakeland School opened the doors to its new, fabulous facility in September 2008, and has quickly become the gold standard for special needs schools. Lakeland School serves the special education needs for the 15 school districts of Walworth County. Over 1,900 students throughout the county are educated through Lakeland, with about 270 students, ages 3 to 21, attending Lakeland on a full time basis.
To see the Case Study pdf, click here.
