Post-secondary Preparation: Strategic Transition Planning for Employment Outcomes in Vocational Education for Students on the Autism Spectrum

Many transition programs and services fail students on the autism spectrum, causing them to have the worst post-secondary outcomes. Due to the importance of helping high school students with disabilities transition to adulthood and consider post-secondary education, employment, and independent living, secondary transition education, and services are receiving increased attention. Situated Learning Theory-based transition intervention programs that led to post-secondary employment were tested. To demonstrate the need for effective transition intervention programs that lead to post-secondary employment, Florida professionals who worked with vocational education students with ASD in secondary schools completed a 38-question electronic survey. A thematic analysis addressed the three study objectives and informed post-secondary transition planning for secondary special education students. This study examined 17 participants from an urban school system in South Florida, most of whom were experienced female practitioners with over 16 years of experience working with secondary students on the autism spectrum in vocational educational settings. Data analysis revealed nine themes among the chosen codes of the three research questions. The study found that differentiated instruction for ASD students, real-world/hands-on work experiences, and vocational-based curriculum content lead secondary special education students to competitive post-secondary employment. Results also showed that Strategic Transition Planning\u27s family participation, student input, resource knowledge, and teacher/service provider input & training help students on the autism spectrum find post-secondary employment. Finally, Situated Learning Theory\u27s confidence-building and real-world experience helped ASD students find post-secondary employment. The study showed that Situated Learning Theory-based transition intervention programs lead to post-secondary employment. The researcher provided solutions to the research issues. The study\u27s results illuminated secondary transition facilitators that lead to post-secondary employment for students on the autism spectrum, and the study questions helped explain that incorporating Situated Learning Theory principles into post-secondary transition planning improved post-secondary employment outcomes for students on the autism spectrum

Combined Method for Evaluating Accessibility in Serious Games

Nowadays, one of the learning resources in the educational area are serious games, also called training games; they are games designed with a different purpose than fun, whose main objective is to reinforce the new concepts more creatively. However, not all existing serious games are accessible in a way that allows access to a more significant number of users. Therefore, this research proposes to apply a combined method to evaluate accessibility in serious games, considering the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. As a case study, we evaluated the accessibility of 82 serious games developed by Physical Education Technology Interactive Simulations at the University of Colorado. We propose to replicate this combined method for users with various types of disabilities, considering the various accessibility barriers. As future work, we suggest generating an accessibility heuristic evaluation focused on serious games, based on the accessibility issues identified. Finally, we believe it is essential to strengthen accessibility policies in each country, as well as implement best practices that generate innovation by incorporating diversity in building and designing more inclusive serious games.This research was funded by Universidad de Las Américas-Ecuador, as part of an internal research project FGE.PAV.19.11

Challenges in Inclusiveness for People with Disabilities within STEM Learning and Working Environments

This report is a reflection on the necessity for the inclusion of people with disabilities in the field of STEM and the different methods and processes that need to be revised or implemented to achieve this goal. It will delve into further detail about the challenges facing PWDs in STEM through interview anecdotes and survey results. Each solution offered will be accompanied by thorough research and support. Policymakers, teachers and students may use these recommendations to break down barriers to STEM careers and build a more inclusive future

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR EDUCATING PERSONS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY

Technology has changed and continues to change the way people manage things in their lives and it is analogous in the life of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) through integration of technology in education. Meaningful inclusive education can be made possible with the help of Assistive Technology (AT) since it helps in identifying and overcoming all barriers for effective, continuous and quality participation of all PwDs including those with intellectual disabilities in education. This article attempts to put forward few measures that provide effective education to Persons with Intellectual Disability through the support of assistive technology specifically designed by understanding their educational needs in order to maximize their academic success. Assistive technology pertinent to various domains of education and developmental areas with appropriate examples and case study is also being illustrated. Barriers to access assistive technology and recommendations to remediate it are also discussed in comprehensive manner.  Article visualizations

Instructional Message Design: Theory, Research, and Practice (Volume 2)

Message design is all around us, from the presentations we see in meetings and classes, to the instructions that come with our latest tech gadgets, to multi-million-dollar training simulations. In short, instructional message design is the real-world application of instructional and learning theories to design the tools and technologies used to communicate and effectively convey information. This field of study pulls from many applied sciences including cognitive psychology, industrial design, graphic design, instructional design, information technology, and human performance technology to name just a few. In this book we visit several foundational theories that guide our research, look at different real-world applications, and begin to discuss directions for future best practice. For instance, cognitive load and multimedia learning theories provide best practice, virtual reality and simulations are only a few of the multitude of applications. Special needs learners and designing for online, e-learning, and web conferencing are only some of many applied areas where effective message design can improve outcomes. Studying effective instructional message design tools and techniques has and will continue to be a critical aspect of the overall instructional design process. Hopefully, this book will serve as an introduction to these topics and inspire your curiosity to explore further!https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/distancelearning_books/1003/thumbnail.jp