The project has been a huge success with high levels of teacher and student engagement and commitment to the concept and use of the model classroom. The key components of the project are the use of an interactive whiteboard linked to a laptop, and a Soundfield amplification system to deliver captioned audiovisual material with improved sound and picture quality.
The CAP posed valuable questions about access and inclusion, and much positive feedback has been received from both school staff and students as to the efficacy of the pilot. Key points of engagement have focused on the interplay of technology as an access tool, the uptake of technology and the clear benefits of captioned resources for all students.
The Classroom Access Project is augmented by the Media Access Australia Accessible Education Database and the federally-funded Captioning Grant.
Mrs Trish Baker, Principal of Cerdon College, is firm in the College’s commitment to access. “It was one of those projects that I immediately jumped at a chance to be involved in because we have a number of students who have hearing impairment, and we want to try and improve the outcomes for all of our students. So we needed, perhaps, to educate ourselves a little bit about how we could actually best meet their needs.”
It is this commitment to access and the college’s enthusiasm in undertaking the project that has been key to its success.
A definite increase in the confidence and assertiveness of the students with hearing impairment, in regard to their educational and social needs, has also been evident.
Anne McGrath, MAA Education Manager said, “We will continue to reflect on the CAP process to further refine this key access solution for students with hearing impairment. It is so clear and apparent that the CAP benefits all students in the mainstream educational setting.”
Media Access Australia hosts a YouTube channel where there is an open captioned and audio described video of the Classroom Access Project and an open captioned video of Student feedback on Classroom Access Project.
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