Read the student examples
Start by reading the examples of students using assistive technology to see the format used and the information you will need to collect throughout Step 3. These examples use the evidence based, internationally recognised SETT framework.
SETT stands for:
- Student, describe the student’s learning abilities and needs
- Environment, describe the student’s learning environment (including their existing support and the technology used at their school)
- Tasks, develop learning targets and describe what it is the student needs to do to achieve them
- Tools, select the appropriate technology and trial it to make sure it is a good fit.
Download the SETT factsheet for more information.
Begin the assessment
Next, begin the assessment, gathering information and filling out the form as you go. Gather information that reflects the team’s shared team understanding of your student, their learning environment and the tasks they need to complete.
Assessments and what they involve
Any assessment you carry out will need to involve trialling of a piece of technology with your student in class, gathering and recording the learning outcomes.
If you want to trial a standard piece of equipment or technology (like a laptop or tablet), ask your school or local community for technology to trial.
If you want to trial specialised technology, contact a district technology coordinator. They should be able to help you find technology to trial.
Technology trials and how long they take
Most trials should only take you one or two weeks. In complex cases, they may take longer as you trial and assess different options.
At the end of the trial, you are likely to face 2 outcomes.
Either you won’t need to go any further with your application because the results show that assistive technology is not the right solution for your student. Or you will go ahead with your application and complete an assessment and application formapplication and complete an assessment and application form .