LINC has just completed a training session for teenagers with learning disabilities who are
preparing to enter the workforce next year. The students were juniors and seniors from
St. Elizabeth School in Baltimore City and came to LINC two days a week to learn basic
computer skills. Participation in technology training prior to their student internships
will help enhance their job performance, and can lead to more employment opportunities
upon graduation.
LINC ís Technology Director developed a training curriculum and provided the training expertise,
specialized software, adaptive equipment, technical support and supplies. Each student was given
the opportunity to practice and enhance his or her typing stills on a program called Type to
Learn by Sunburst. Student progress in keyboarding was tracked directly by the instructional
software packages. The data collected showed an increase in words per minute and accuracy for
each student over time.
The second program they used is called Computers at Work by Attainment Company. This program
exposed the students to vocational skills such as data entry and order processing. Onscreen
records were introduced and each student was required to transpose the information into a
sample database. The program has three levels that increased in difficulty to entering an
entire order into a blank form. Each student demonstrated notable progress in data and order
entry, progressing to the most difficult of the three levels in the program by the end of the
training.
This training program also helped the students foster confidence in their abilities and
increased their desire to work hard. Funding for this project comes from a grant from the
Verizon Foundation. The Verizon Foundation is committed to supporting specific education
programs and projects. They are especially committed to promoting a literate America through
grants that support all areas of literacy, as well as bridging the digital divide through
computer literacy.