DT Trainer Quick Start Instructions (version 2.0.7.0 or newer)

 

Installation Quick Start

 

1)                   Insert your DT Trainer CD.  The CD should auto start.

a.        If the CD does not auto start, then use a file browser like Windows Explorer or My Computer to browse to the CD drive and then double click the “Start” file.

2)                   A main screen with be displayed.  You may use the Next button to view an overview of the DT Trainer.

3)                   Click the Installation menu option from the list on the left.

a.        If you have a fairly new computer (less than 4 or 5 years old), then just click the Install the DT Trainer option and follow the instructions.  If the installation goes smoothly, then just exit the CD and skip down to “c” in this document.

b.       If you have an older system, or if you had problems during installation, then look through the other menu options under the Installation section of the CD, and look on our web site www.dttrainer.com/installation.html.  If these resources do not help you resolve the issue, then email support@dttrainer.com, or call 803-233-0541 for support.

c.        Later, when you are running the sample or actual students, the reinforcers should run properly.  If some reinforcers have problems, then you should go to www.dttrainer.com/installation.html and verify all the multimedia components are installed and updated.  Contact us for support if necessary.

4)                   Start the DT Trainer Administration from your desktop icon.  Notice the version number in the title bar of the Administration dialog.  With a web browser, go to www.dttrainer.com/updates.html.  If the version on the web site is newer, then update (patch) to the current release.

 

Instructional Quick Start

 

1)             You should run the program from the student’s perspective to get a feel for the way the program works.  Start one of the sample students from the DT Trainer Students folder on your desktop.  The program is highly adjustable, but the samples will show you a few of the possibilities.  The sample students are not intended for actual students to use, but they will help you understand what the student will do.  You may want to try one or more of the sample students.  Press the “D” key on the keyboard to end training.  Otherwise the training will go for the preconfigured length of time for each student.

 

2)             Start the DT Trainer Administration from the desktop icon.  Select the Student Administration tab and use the EZ Create option to create a student.  This method should create a student that is configured close to the developmental level of the student.  However, you should look at the Options, Programs, and Reinforcers to make necessary changes to more appropriately configure the student.  NOTE: Only the student should do the training on their own configuration since performance data will be collected and the program is automatically transitioning items based on performance.

 

a)       You may want to adjust the student's options (click the Options button).  You may need to change the student's input device if he needs to use a touch screen or a switch.  You may want to change the length of the session.  You should look through the Basic, Other, and Intermediate tabs to get an idea of some of your options.

 

b)       You may want to adjust the student's programs list (click the Programs button).  You may want to delete, deactivate (Toggle Status), or add content programs.  You can click the Preview button to see an example of a trial of an item from the program.  There is also a Test button that allows you to determine the student's current abilities with a program.

 

Next, for each program you can view the Items (click the Items button) in the program.  If desired, you can change the starting place of the items if they were started too high or low.  For example, the programs were started in the Untrained state which assumes the student needs to learn the programs.  If the student basically knows the items of a program but needs practice, you could move all the items so that they would be maintained, by changing the State of “All Active” items to “Maintenance” and then click the Apply button.  You will find this tool in the bottom right corner of the Program Items dialog. 

 

c)       You may want to adjust the student's reinforcers (click the Reinforcers button).  You can preview the reinforcers (click the Preview button) to make sure they work on your system and learn them so that you can help the student.  On some of the reinforcers, there are instructions for their use at the bottom of the reinforcer.  You may want to sit with the student to determine his interest and ability.  You can add or remove reinforcers (click the Add/Remove button) as necessary, and should do so periodically to keep the student motivated.

 

Note: If you have questions on how to use the DT Trainer, the training videos give you a relatively quick overview.  Start the videos from the DT Trainer Videos icon on your desktop.  You can also view the videos from the installation CD or from our Web site.

 

Accelerations Educational Software          www.dttrainer.com          support@dttrainer.com          803-233-0541