Summer Reading: Using Technology to Engage Students with Learning Disabilities by Billy Krakower and Sharon LePage Plante

Summer is in full swing and I have finally set aside time at night to do some reading. Every summer I chose books for pleasure and books that enhance my professional practice. This blog post will highlight the first of two professional books I have decided to read this summer.

The book I am focusing on for this post is Using Technology to Engage Students with Learning Disabilities (Corwin Connected Educator Series) by Billy Krakower and Sharon LePage Plante. Below is the description provided by Amazon.com.

Description...

Leverage technology to engage students with learning disabilities!
Harness the power of today’s technology to improve learning and engagement for students with learning disabilities.  By engaging students with learning disabilities using the technology already at your fingertips, you’ll see your students begin to thrive and grow in exciting new ways. In this volume in the Connected Educators Series, you’ll discover:

• New ideas for using assistive technology to teach core subjects and study skills
• How to build positive opportunities for students to show what they know
• Tools to provide better content accessibility
• How to help students connect and share through technology tools

About the Authors...

Billy Krakower (@wkrakower) is a full-time teacher at Woodland Park Public Schools in Woodland Park, New Jersey, where he has taught computers and special education to grades 3 and 4 for over eight years. He is the Chief Financial & Event Officer for Evolving Educators, LLC (evolvingeducators.com). Billy co-moderates two weekly Twitter chats, #NJed chat and #satchat (for educational leaders). He co-hosts “SatChat Radio,” a weekly show interviewing educators on BAM Radio Network and available on iTunes. Billy is one of the lead organizers of edcampNJ and edcampLeadership North NJ. He is on the teacher advisory board for ReadWorks. Billy is a 2014 ASCD Emerging Leader, and a member of the NJASCD Executive board and serves as the Technology Committee Chair. He also served as co-director of NJ-ASCD Northern Region (Fall 2013 - June 2015). He has presented at more than 20 local and national technology conferences on topics including Twitters & You, The Science Behind a Mystery Location Call, and Connecting Beyond the Classroom.
Billy has an Advance Certificate in Educational Leadership and a dual Masters Degree in Special Education & Elementary Education from Long Island University. Billy is a Google Certified Educator and an Edmodo Certified Trainer. You can read more about Billy, his awards, and his presentations at www.billykrakower.com. He is passionate about helping every child and adult enjoy and learn using technology tools in easy, fun and empowering ways.

Sharon Plante, (@iplante) an educator with over 19 years' teaching experience in special education, has been an educator at Eagle Hill-Southport for over eleven years, as well as currently serving as Director of Technology. She holds a B.A. in Child Development from Connecticut College, a M.Ed in Special Education from George Mason University, and a certificate in Administration and Leadership from Sacred Heart University. Sharon utilizes her educational training and love of technology to engage students with learning disabilities in building their skills and finding success. She has presented at Everyone Reading, EdRev, Edscape, ATIA (Assistive Technology Industry Association), IDA (International Dyslexia Association), and New York Chapter of ALTA (Academic Language Trainers Association), as well as at several Edcamps, on using technology to empower the dyslexic/LD learner. Sharon is the 2015-2017 chair of the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools Commission on Technology, as well as a member of the board for Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities. Additionally, she hosts a podcast for Bam Radio Network on Learning Differently bringing together the voices of those working in the many aspects of special education and blogs at iplantes.com. Sharon is a co-founder of #edtechchat, a weekly twitter chat and podcast. Additionally, she is the co-organizer of EdCampSWCT and EdCampCAIS.
Pick up your copy from Amazon.com by clicking here!

Disclaimer: I am in no way being asked to promote either of these books or being endorsed....I just like to share a valuable resource when I stumble upon one.