Victorian Deaf Education Institute

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Innovation and Technology

Class of students holding iPads above their heads

One of the strategic aims of the Victorian Deaf Education Institute (VDEI) is to strengthen access for deaf students and education professionals to learning programs and curriculum through the use of digital technology and a pilot program enabling the use of iPads and real time captioning in classrooms.

In the longer term, VDEI will be a technology hub, allowing workshops and seminars to be beamed to teachers and students in remote and regional areas across Victoria, via high density information technology. This will ensure that deaf and hard of hearing students receive the best educational opportunities, regardless of location.

The site will incorporate lecture room space, state of the art interactive multi-media and video conferencing facilities. Furthermore the technology will facilitate the engagement of national and international speakers for lectures and workshops.

For more information, see:

iPad trial – Victorian College of the Deaf

There is growing evidence that students with special needs can benefit significantly from using digital technology to further their learning. As part of the iPads for Learning trial, 85 Apple iPads were distributed to every student attending the Victorian College of the Deaf. From using Auslan applications to reading interactive books on their iPads, the students have been given every opportunity to experience all the benefits of a hi-tech education. 

For more information on the iPads trial, please see: iPads for Education

Video conferencing units

One of VDEI’s aims is to improve educational outcomes and curriculum access for rural and regional students and families.  On the 24 June 2011 Minister Dixon announced the roll out of 300 video conferencing units to primary and secondary schools across metropolitan, regional and rural Victoria. 

DEECD and VDEI identified a number of metropolitan schools, rural and regional schools for their support and curriculum delivery to deaf children requiring Auslan.

These video conferencing units will allow schools to look at developing outreach programs and services in a variety of ways including:  using the units to promote and provide Auslan classes to student/parents and/or communities; developing student networks with rural and isolated areas; providing team teaching sessions with Visiting Teachers and students; presenting professional development sessions with teachers in remote areas; deaf role model programs with students; and providing access to some curriculum sessions or subjects with interpreted support.

VDEI Virtual Learning Manager, Sally Martin is in the process of completing visits to schools to discuss ways of making this the most of this exciting opportunity.  Each site is looking at at least one program using the video conferencing units in 2012.  Currently schools are trialling the equipment by calling through to other sites and facilities with staff and students. 

If you have any questions or queries about this project, please contact Sally Martin at martin.sally.a@edumail.vic.gov.au or call 03 9637 2628    

Remote learning

September 2011

VDEI is focused on improving outcomes and access for rural and regional students and families.  A pilot program using video conferencing equipment will be trialled with rural deaf facilities and at some metropolitan locations. Videoconferencing units are already allowing students to participate in ways not previously viable and will continue to allow us to develop outreach programs and services in a variety of ways.  Options being explored are:  

  • using the units to promote and provide Auslan classes to student/parents and/or communities
  • developing student networks with rural and isolated areas
  • providing team teaching sessions with Visiting Teachers and students
  • presenting professional development sessions with teachers in remote areas
  • deaf role model programs with students
  • providing access to some curriculum sessions or subjects with interpreted support. 

Schools may also have other innovative ideas and ways to share your expertise and rich curriculum knowledge across the state.  VDEI’s new Virtual Learning Project Manager, Sally Martin will be in contact with schools to discuss how we can best utilise this exciting opportunity. 

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Centres of Excellence 2011-2012

September 2011

VDEI, in collaboration with facility coordinators and specialist schools for the deaf, will begin a project to explore the concept and requirements to establish centres of excellence in deaf education. 

Please contact Gene Reardon for more information at reardon.gene.g@edumail.vic.gov.au

Captioning Centre in regional Victoria

December 2011

One of the innovations that arose from the VDEI resource development grants provided earlier this year was the establishment of a captioning centre in regional Victoria.

The centre is currently operating to support schools wanting to access captioned materials. This exciting initiative is all about access for deaf students, so please jump on board and let us know of any resources you would like captioned for your VCE 2012 students. Contact Kaye Scott at scott.kaye.m@edumail.vic.gov.au

September 2011

As a result of a number of applications for resource development grants earlier this year, VDEI has been assisting three schools in a project to develop a Captioning Centre in regional Victoria. This project aims to assist schools in accessing captioned content for use in schools and to assist in captioning materials. 

Through extensive work and guidance from Shenton College for the Deaf in WA and assistance from Media Access, the establishment of this centre is well underway. Schools and facilities that have any requests for material to be captioned should contact Lynda Exell at Methodist Ladies College.