Teaching the Kids with High-Tech Ears (2000). Seaver Creative Services, Inc., 4135 South Oneida Street, Denver, CO 80237. 16 minutes; $24.95, plus $5.95 s/h (volume discounts for orders over 20).  Reviewed by Jane B. Seaton, Seaton Consultants, Athens, GA.

This short video packs a wealth of information into 16 minutes. Included are a brief description of cochlear implant technology, an overview of aural habilitation/rehabilitation for students who use cochlear implants, and an explanation of a mainstream collaborative model for students with hearing impairment in regular educational environments. Each segment is introduced by an unseen narrator whose comments are illustrated by clear and organized graphics and relevant video clips. Concepts and techniques are discussed briefly by professionals, including educational audiologists, teachers of the deaf, regular education teachers, and school administrators. There are additional video clips of comments by a student who uses a cochlear implant and his parent. Real-world situations are incorporated to demonstrate techniques and technology that can be used for support in the classroom setting, such as real-time captioning.

Production quality of this video is excellent, and the use of open captioning clarifies the rapid pace of the dialog. Transitions between graphics, interviews, and classroom situations are extremely smooth. Each segment is visually interesting, as well as informative.

"Teaching the Kids with High-Tech Ears" would be a valuable supplement to inservice programs for school staff who are being introduced to services for students who use cochlear implants. It is also a unique and practical resource for teacher training programs, targeting both regular and special education. Supplementary written materials would be helpful to staff who are planning to implement the strategies recommended. This video is highly recommended and considered a "must" for libraries of professionals and programs that serve students with hearing loss in educational settings.