ONEF Inc. proposes to research and develop computer-based interactive curriculum which immerses mainstreamed disabled students in a technology-rich workplace where they perform tasks and produce products similar to those prevalent in the business world. This project will be based on the concept of Workplace Lnteractive Tutorials(WITs) developed by ONEF Inc. to help students Resees what certain careers are like. The curriculum is based on the SCANS research which defined the workplace cornpetencies and basic skills needed by all students to be high-performers in the global economy. The project goal is to create curriculum which can be used by all students but which addresses the special needs of disabled students. Each Workplace Interactive Tutorials will introduce a role model and provides awareness of a possible career path while teaching students to use technology to solve real-life complex problems in the workplace. Together, the Workplace Interactive Tutorials u ill create a spiraling curriculum model for K-12 students and address the needs of both college-bound students and those who will join the workforce directly from high school.
Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications of Research::The results of this research will be multimedia interactive computer-based simulation tutorials designed to provide students with solid occupational preparation and role modes within the business community. Phase I work will consist of researching current workplaces and working with successful adults with disabilities to model their workplace experience for students. The curriculum developed will be piloted in a school setting with a wide variety of students to study whether portraying disabled adults being successful in the workplace changes the perceptions of students with disabilities as well as students without disabilities. Phase n work will consist of producing the interactive computer-based simulation tutorials and integrating them into school curriculums. Textbook publishers and educational software companies are~prime candidates for commercialization of these simulations for distribution to schools and homes Corporations wanting to spotlight their company and help education are candidates to sponsor development of WITs based on their workplace and house them on their WWW corporate home page for free distribution to schools. Technology based services companies are candidates to apply advanced computer based technology such as virtual reality to the presentation and simulation techniques utilized in the tutorials.
