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Showing posts with label enhancing professional practice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label enhancing professional practice. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Webinar Wednesday: 5 TouchMath Strategies That Work for ASD Students

 

Autism Acceptance Month is almost here.

Free Webinar from TouchMath

Join us on Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at 3pm Eastern (2pm Central, 1pm Mountain, 12pm Pacific) to hear TouchMath experts dive deep into Autism Spectrum Disorder. TouchMath is proven to help ASD students build solid foundations in math. 

During this webinar, you will learn:
  • 5 TouchMath strategies that work with ASD Students
  • Tips for teaching math to students on any level of the Autism spectrum
  • How you can make math lessons more enjoyable for students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Teachers, administrators, tutors, coaches, parents, and all learning professionals are invited to register and spread the news about this FREE workshop hosted by TouchMath on Autism Spectrum Disorder.​
 
REGISTER NOW

Wednesday, October 13, 2021

Webinar Wednesday: Top Tips for Dyslexia and Technology

To help celebrate Dyslexia Awareness Month, Dafydd Henke-Reed, Head of Accessibility at AbilityNet shared his expert advice about dyslexia and technology in a free webinar. Dafydd championed the ways technology has helped with his dyslexia. He examined the digital barriers to avoid and explained good practice for enabling dyslexic users online.

This webinar covers the range of topics including:
  • Challenges with communication including written text and verbal communication
  • Tech and tools available to help with dyslexia, including emojis, voice chat, and multimedia messaging
  • Speech to text software: Dragon Naturally Speaking, Siri / Alexa, Office Dictate, Mac OS / iOS Dictation
  • Text to speech software: Read & Write, ClaroRead, Office Speak, Mac OS / iOS Speech

If you're dyslexic, are looking for advice about how technology can help you, or are interested in how technology can revolutionize the learning experience for those with dyslexia be sure to watch. For digital professionals, the free session also examines digital barriers to avoid, and what you can do to make your websites more accessible for people with dyslexia and other cognitive issues.

   



Additional Useful resources
Factsheet: Dyslexia and Technology
Designing for Accessibility posters from UK Home Office website
AbilityNet's digital accessibility training courses

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Webinar Wednesday: ELLevating All: Overlapping Strategies for ELLs and students with SLD (including dyslexia)


Image of Amanda Crecelius sitting in a chair smiling while holding a book in her hands.
PATINS Specialist, Amanda Crecelius, will provide resources and tools for English Language Learners (ELLs) and/or students with Specific Learning Difference (SLD), including dyslexia in this live webinar.

This is an overview of overlapping strategies for promoting literacy for ELLs and students with SLD with a focus on how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can eliminate barriers for ELLs/students with SLD and all students.

In the "ELLevating All" training, you will learn many helpful strategies, including the Literacy Building UDL Checklist - VICS


  • Visuals (Phonological Awareness)
  • Interaction (Multisensory)
  • Connections (Context & Culture) 
  • Scaffolding (Gradual Release of Responsibility)



Date: October 5, 2021 at 3:00 pm EST/2:00 pm CST
Target Audience: General Education Teachers, Special Education Teachers, English Language Teachers
PGPs/ASHA Hours: Yes 


To request this training at a different date and time, please email Amanda Crecelius

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Webinar Wednesday: Dysgraphia? What is it anyway?

Is illegible handwriting why your child is failing school? Could the illegibility be a symptom of something else? In this presentation, learn how to differentiate dysgraphia in your discussions with the IEP team members.


This webinar with Cheri Dotterer, MS, OTR/L and Dysgraphia Life took place on June 23, 2021. The full recording is archived above.

Cheri Dotterer, MS, OTR/L is an international speaker, author, and consultant who equips educators and therapists to help students succeed in school by overcoming the social-emotional trauma associated with illegible handwriting and dysgraphia.

Her book, Handwriting Brain-Body DisConnect, has remained in the
Top 100 on Amazon since publication in Handwriting Reference and Learning Disabilities. It was also a Top 10 Finalist in the Author Academy Awards in 2019.

​Being an occupational therapist for 25 years, she has worked in many concentration areas. It wasn't until starting her own private practice that she found her passion. She has been an adjunct instructor at Penn State, Alvernia, and Misericordia Universities and has guest lectured at several other colleges throughout her career. She lives with her husband of 30 years. They have two adult children. She and her team seek to synthesize best practices surrounding dysgraphia, build community across all disciplines working with the students, and transform personal perspectives to empower lifelong learners.


Resources mentioned in the Webinar:


For Parents:

Dotterer Dysgraphia Toolkit

Parent's Guide to Dysgraphia (FREE)


For Professionals:

Professional's Guide to Dysgraphia (FREE)

Dotterer Dysgraphia Method

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

2021 ATAC Virtual Assistive Technology & Community Living Summit

Disability Rights ATAJ New Jersey
The Richard West Assistive Technology Advocacy Center (ATAC) at Disability Rights New Jersey is hosting their 5th annual virtual AT Summit on September 23rd and 24th. This year's event includes over 45 sessions and 2 keynotes providing valuable information related to K-12 education, higher education, employment, and community living.  


Visit their conference website to see the sessions, keynote speakers schedule AND to register for your free ticket.


Click here to register




Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Webinar Wednesday: Microsoft Ability Summit 2021


Microsoft recently hosted their Ability Summit. The intention was to bring people with disabilities, allies, and accessibility professionals together to imagine, build, include, and empower the future of disability inclusion and accessibility.  They released the on-demand recordings of their sessions which can be explored using the link below. 

Thursday, April 8, 2021

AT Town Hall

Are you an AT specialist, teacher, parent or AT user who has questions regarding assistive technology, accessibility or UDL? Are you looking to expand your PLN with others in the field? Or maybe you are interested in learning more about assistive technology and discussing current related topics? If you have answered yes to any of these questions consider join the AT Town Hall every Monday @ 12PM (EST) for a free-flowing discussion exploring effective implementation of AT. The AT Town Hall, facilitated by the Richard West Assistive Technology Advocacy Center (ATAC), always welcoming to new people who want to learn and contribute to a discussion on everything AT. Click the link below to watch some previously recorded AT Town Halls or see below to register for the weekly meetings. 

Click for the recorded AT Town Hall sessions

AT Town Hall Facilitator:
Mike Marotta, Director, The Richard West Assistive Technology Advocacy Center, NJ

AT Town Hall Panel Members may include:
Chris Bugaj, Assistive Technology Specialist, Loudoun County (VA) Public Schools
Jennifer Edge-Savage, AT Consultant, Saltillo, Professor
Karen Janowski, AT Consultant, EdTech Solutions
Luis Perez, Technical Assistance Specialist, CAST
Kelli Suding, AT Specialist, PATINS
Elisa Wern, OT/AT Specialist

April 2021

Register for April 12, 2021 12:00PM – 1:00PM Eastern

Register for April 19, 2021 12:00PM – 1:00PM Eastern

Register for April 26, 2021 12:00PM – 1:00PM Eastern

May 2021

Register for May 3, 2021 12:00 – 1:00PM Eastern (Special Event with QIAT Leadership Team)

Register for May 10, 2021 12:00PM – 1:00PM Eastern

Register for May 17, 2021 12:00PM – 1:00PM Eastern

Register for May 24, 2021 12:00PM – 1:00PM Eastern

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Webinar Wednesday: Meet the Voice Dream Apps

THE NETWORK OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGISTS WELCOMES

WINSTON CHEN, FOUNDER OF VOICE DREAM


Meet The Voice Dream Apps

In this session, Winston will share the personal story of how he founded Voice Dream, and give a demo of Voice Dream Reader, the leading reading tool for people with print disabilities. He will also talk about where Voice Dream is going in the future, along with an overview of other Voice Dream Apps.

Registration Now Open - CLICK HERE


WINSTON CHEN 


Winston is the founder of Voice Dream. He is developer of Voice Dream Reader, Writer and Scanner, award winning and universally accessible apps for people with learning differences and visual impairment. Voice Dream started when he and his family took a sabbatical and lived for a year on an island in Arctic Norway.


In addition to Voice Dream, Winston was a Research Affiliate at MIT Media Lab working on socially beneficial technology in education and civic affairs. Previously, Winston was an executive in several technology companies. He lives in Boston with his wife Kristin and two children Marcus and Nora.

Friday, January 29, 2021

2021 AT Retreat Unconference


Join tonight 1/29/21 at 6:30pm EST for a brand new virtual unconference event!

No presentations - just conversations.

Participant led discussions related to inclusion, Assistive Technology and Universal Design for Learning. All voices are welcome.

Come join the fun - reserve your free space using the registration link below. All sessions will be conducted via Zoom and each conversation room will utilize captions to promote accessibility. Connect, learn, laugh and maybe even win some awesome prizes from Scanning Pens, Present Pal, Don Johnston, Lesson Pix, CoughDrop and more....

Follow the event on Twitter using the hashtag #2021ATRetreat






Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Webinar Wednesday: Leveling the Playing Field: Support for Struggling Readers in a Blended Learning Environment

Leveling the Playing Field: Support for Struggling Readers in a Blended Learning Environment

Monday, January 11, 2021 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm EST

Leveling the Playing Field: Support for Struggling Readers in a Blended Learning Environment

Presented by Kathleen Colburn, Senior Product Manager, Read&Write; and Diana Petschauer, Managing Director and AT Consultant, Assistive Technology for Education

Sponsored by Texthelp

REGISTER HERE

GET THE RECORDING

The recording will be posted on this page after the live session. Closed captioning will be added to the recording within 2 weeks of the live presentation.

To say that things have been in flux over this past year is an understatement. The everyday learning environment has taken on a whole new meaning as you and your students have pivoted from in-person, to remote, to hybrid learning (and have sometimes bridged these gaps multiple times). Many students lost almost a full semester of learning; some lost more. And while no child has gone unaffected by these educational gaps, those who were struggling prior to school closures have been hit the hardest, further widening already-existing literacy achievement gaps. It’s now urgent that we move forward from these learning losses, and ensure that every child, especially those who struggle most, has the most essential building block for their literacy journey—a strong foundation for reading.

Join Diana Petschauer, Managing Director and AT Consultant, Assistive Technology for Education, and Texthelp’s Kathleen Colburn, Senior Product Manager, as they explore strategies and tools to empower struggling readers in a blended learning environment. During this edWebinar you will:

  • Uncover best practices to motivate students to engage with reading in any environment, promoting confidence and a positive growth mindset
  • Explore multiple free technologies that can help to close reading achievement gaps and work alongside students’ everyday Learning Management Systems and devices
  • Take a deeper dive into Read&Write, a literacy support toolbar that can help struggling readers create and engage with content across all grade levels, subjects and interfaces (web, Google Docs, exams, and more!). Plus Read&Write is completely free for teachers.

This edWebinar will be of interest to kindergarten through middle school teachers and school and district leaders. There will be time for questions at the end of the presentation.

 

Kathleen ColburnAbout the Presenters

Kathleen Colburn is a senior product manager at Texthelp, an industry leader in literacy and STEM software. In her six years with the company, she has served in roles ranging from supporting teacher and student end users, to her current position working directly with the software development team to shape the product roadmap. Outside of her role at Texthelp, Kathleen is a Google Certified Trainer, earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Tufts University, and has taught and tutored students in high school math and college entrance exam preparation.

 

Diana Petschauer, M.Ed., ATP is a RESNA certified Assistive Technology Professional and Managing Director of AT for Education, ATforED.com. She manages her team of expert consultants who provide evaluations, consult and training to students and adults as well as professional development for professionals and families. Prior to ATforED, Diana was the AT specialist at UNH, supporting students transitioning to higher education with AT and accommodations. She started her career in public school special education. Diana presents often on AT and literacy intervention to provide multi-sensory support for dyslexia or LD.

Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Webinar Wednesday: Empowering Learners with Dyslexia to Acquire and Utilize Their Digital Voice


 Empowering Learners with Dyslexia to Acquire and Utilize Their Digital Voices

Thursday, October 8, 2020 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm EDT

Empowering Learners with Dyslexia to Acquire and Utilize Their Digital Voices

Presented by Nanci K. Shepardson, M.S.Ed., Ed.S. W.D.P., Senior Educational Technologist, Wilson Language Training
Hosted by Terrie Noland, C.A.L.P., Vice President, Educator Initiatives, Learning Ally

Sponsored by Learning Ally

Attendance for the live presentation is limited to 1,000.

REGISTER HERE

You can sign up below to receive an email with the recording link.

GET THE RECORDING

The recording will be posted on this page after the live session. 
Get a CE Certificate for this edWebinar Learn more

Students with dyslexia often find their voice drowned out by their peers. Using technology to give them a voice is empowering and can lead to greater confidence!

To effectively facilitate student voices on a digital platform, you need an understanding of what digital literacy is and how it can be leveraged to enable positive outcomes for all students, particularly those with dyslexia. Sifting through all of the available online learning tools can quickly become an overwhelming task; this edWebinar will narrow the field, first by viewing them through the important lens of online privacy, equity, and access, and finally by sorting them by the following categories: physical tools, back channeling, web-based add-ons, general apps, assessment tools, video and audio tools, digital storytelling, presentation tools, organization tools, and blogging.

PreK-12 teachers and school and district leaders will find this interactive session informative and leave with clear takeaways that can be implemented in an in-person, distance or hybrid learning environment. There will be time for questions at the end of the presentation.

 

Nanci ShepardsonAbout the Presenter

Nanci Shepardson is a reading and educational specialist. She graduated from Wheelock College in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in preschool/kindergarten curriculum and infant/ toddler development. In 2010, she graduated from Simmons University with an M.S.Ed. in language and literacy and an Ed.S. in assistive technology.

Nanci is a seasoned teacher, a credentialed K-12 reading specialist, and an International Dyslexia Association and Wilson Reading System Dyslexia Practitioner (WRS Level 1 Certified). Nanci has taught kindergarten, second grade, and fourth grade, and was a reading and educational specialist for grades seven through postgraduate and has tutored all ages. She consults for the International Dyslexia Association, she is an advocate for students with disabilities and their families and is also a professional speaker on dyslexia, language-based disabilities, and assistive technology throughout the country. Prior to joining Wilson Language Training, she was the head of Learning Resources at The Chapin School in Manhattan.

As the senior educational technologist at Wilson Language Training, Nanci works in the Program Development Department. In her role, she works with the Wilson Reading System (WRS) team and the technology team to create traditional and digital tools that will augment the current WRS curriculum and materials. She stays abreast of the current technological trends and serves as a resource for parents, teachers, and schools on assistive technology. Nanci is also a parent of a grown child with dyslexia.

 

Terrie NolandAbout the Host

Terrie Noland serves as Vice President of Educator Initiatives at Learning Ally, where she works to develop engagement programs, shares knowledge through strategic relationships, and promotes communities for educators. She has more than 25 years of experience as both a motivational leader and developer of content for educators and administrators. She has had the opportunity to lead and facilitate groups numbering in the thousands, inspiring them around a transformational change in their approach to struggling readers. Terrie is certified as an Academic Language Practitioner and is currently working towards a Ph.D. in literacy, with an emphasis in educational leadership from St. John’s University. She is also a certified John Maxwell speaker and facilitator.

 

To participate in the live edWebinar, log in with current version of Google Chrome or install the meeting app prior to the edWebinar on your computer, your Apple device, or Android device.  If you have a firewall in your location, you can participate on your mobile device using your cellular data (not your local network).

The edWebinar recording will be posted to this page the day after the presentation.

Join the Empowering Struggling Readers community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.


Learning AllyLearning Ally is a leading education solutions organization committed to transforming the lives of struggling learners. The Learning Ally Audiobook Solution is a proven reading accommodation comprised of human-read audiobooks, student centric features and a suite of teacher resources. Used in more than 17,000 schools, this solution successfully helps students with reading deficits become engaged learners and reach their academic potential.

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Webinar Wednesday: Supporting Exceptional Students Through Student-Centered Learning Strategies

I had the privilege to participate alongside Sharon Plante in this webinar hosted by Future Ready where we discussed ways we work with teachers and students across curriculum areas and classrooms to prioritize the learning needs of students with disabilities. From coaching, mentoring, and co-teaching to using adaptive technology hardware and software, educators can personalize learning for their students. Also, joining us was Ace Parsi, a spokesperson for the National Center for Learning Disabilities, sharing how advocacy and research can improve outcomes for people with learning and attention issues and other disabilities. Mr. Parsi lent his perspective on about how to shape local and national policy to reduce barriers and ensure opportunity and access for all students.

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Engaging Students in Reading Instruction through Educational Technology

Engaging Students in Reading Instruction through Educational Technology 
Presenter: Sharon Plante, Chief Technology Integrator and Faculty Member of The Southport School
Date: Wednesday, January 22
Time: 4:00-4:20 PM
Cost: Free - Click here to register.
Description:
The utilization of technology (Interactive screens, iPads, apps, and websites) can make reading instruction (decoding/encoding, fluency, and comprehension) a multi-sensory process that is engaging and explicit while maintaining the individualization and diagnostic-prescriptive aspects of the lesson.  It can support the organizational challenges for necessary lesson materials that can occur when working with multiple students at once, while also allowing for ease of differentiation within a small group format. Additionally, educational technology can provide ways for the teacher to collect work samples and data from multiple students simultaneously and allow for individualized feedback. The session will focus on the use of various tools that can support differentiated and individualized engagement during small group multi-sensory reading instruction.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Webinar Wednesday: Navigating Today’s Dyslexia Laws


Learning Ally

Strategies and Ideas for Creating a Dyslexia Friendly Classroom
Navigating Today’s Dyslexia Laws: Building the Best Program
Dyslexia laws and legislation are changing rapidly in the U.S. For many, it can be difficult to navigate this road in understanding terminology, requirements, and educational expectations. The goal of this edWebinar is to:
  • Inform educators and schools about websites where they can find reliable information
  • Discover more about innovative assistive technology tools being used
  • Suggest what to do next in order to integrate an action plan to build and grow a dyslexia program
This edWebinar will be of interest to elementary through high school teachers, librarians, and school and district leaders. There will be time to have your questions answered at the end of the presentation.

Dr. Wolf
About the Presenter
Amy Gulley has been a Level 4 Master Instructor, Practicum Supervisor, IDA Certified Dyslexia Specialist, and Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) with the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education (IMSE) since 2015. 
About the Host
Terrie Noland has more than 25 years of experience as both a motivational leader and developer of content for educators and administrators. Her greatest strengths lie in the ability to motivate, inspire, and create enthusiasm in others to be passionate educators that support the diverse needs of students.

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Webinar Wednesday: Avoiding Presumptions: The Pitfalls of “Presuming Competence”

Avoiding Presumptions: The Pitfalls of “Presuming Competence”

Live Broadcast Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2019 3:30 - 4:30 PM Eastern Time Zone
Webinar Type: Live Broadcast
Webinar Code: AT19-WEB10-LB
Webinar Fee: $39

Overview

The ideology of “presuming competence” has become a buzzword and is increasingly incorporated into practice within the field of AAC, despite its pseudoscientific origins and lack of supporting evidence. This webinar will discuss the benefits of recognizing the potential of all communicators, while maintaining an individualized lens for current abilities and future needs. In other words, how do we support each individual’s potential, while offering opportunities and expectations within their ZPD?​

Learning Objectives

  1. The learner will identify 3 limitations to presuming competence without consideration for an individual’s current abilities and zone of proximal development.
  2. The learner will define stimulability and the zone of proximal development as they relate to AAC system selection and goal development.
  3. The learner will identify 2 tools that provide data to aid in goal development within the zone of proximal development.

Speakers

Katie O’Neil, MS, CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist in the Augmentative Communication Program at Boston Children’s Hospital. She is a diagnostic clinician specializing in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and has worked in the field of AAC in various settings. Katie received her MS from Emerson College in Boston, MA. She has spoken nationally and internationally on AAC-related topics and has a particular interest in sensory impairment as it relates to AAC.
Rebecca McCarthy, M.S., CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist who has worked in the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in various settings, including her current role as a diagnostic clinician within Boston Children's Hospital Augmentative Communication Program. Rebecca received her Master’s of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Emerson College in Boston, MA. Rebecca has spoken nationally and internationally on a range of topics related to AAC.