EDU614 Session 5

Assistive Technology

and

Augmentative Communication

Agenda

• Tonight’s Guest - Lauren Costa

• Next week - presentation tools

• Augmentative Communication

• UDL

• Assistive Technology

• iPad

Project• Use at least one application you’ve learned

• decision due 5/30

• Show proficiency & familiarity with all features

• If appropriate, create a model class

• include sample assignments, forums, etc.

• Develop and write a detailed plan for classroom use

• Include

• 21st Century skills students will use

• assessment if applicable

Good examples

• Joey Estes

• Lindsay Little

• Alden Sorenson

• Rachael Froelich

• Liz Landry

• Amy Ferrari

• Erin Zingarelli-Adams

TechAccess

• Fact Sheets - wonderful resource sheets on Assistive Technology and Augmentative Communication

The DESE

• The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has awesome links to information, resources and grants.

• Includes:

• CAST - Center for Applied Special Technology

• Easter Seals - allows teachers to try out technology

Mass Match

• MassMatch - initiative to get assistive technology to people who need it

• FREE to borrow from ATRC Assistive Technology Regional Centers.

National Center to Improve Practice in Special Education

• NCIP - through technology, media and materials

• take a look

Accessibility in the Classroom

• Accessibility features in Microsoft products

• Includes tutorials

Universal Design for Learning

• UDL based on neuroscience

• each principle connects to key area of brain

• Multiple Means of Representation

• To increase recognition

• How a teacher prepares

UDL

• Multiple Means of Expression

• To expand strategic output

• Teacher plans for how students will express learning

• Multiple Means of Engagement

• To enhance involvement in learning

• How do we get students connected?

Assistive Technology

• Like RTI Technology has levels too

• Level 1 - For everyone

• Level 2 - Greater access

• Level 3 - Assistive support

AT

• Allows manipulation and control of format

• Offers alternatives for access

• Supports multi-sensory instruction

• Supports greater personal independence

• Educational technology & assistive technology are a continuum of access to learning.

Accessible Instructional Materials

• AIM

• Students have a right to the same text

• Publishers are supposed to produce digital forms

• CAST has a center for AIM

Important Questions...• What does the student need to do to

participate in the classroom and achieve his/her IEP goals?

• What specifically is the student having difficulty with?

• What else has been tried?

• What will be the the criteria for determining the student’s success?

• Who will be responsible for training, monitoring, documenting, and reviewing the AT plan?

AT

• All students with a 504 or an IEP are eligible

• Assistive Technology has to be considered

• Not all qualify

• IEP is written first, then look at questions

SETT Framework

• S - Student First

• E - Environment

• T - Task

• T - Tool

• Joy Zabala - SETT Framework

the Student

• What does the student need to do?

• What are the student’s special needs?

• What are the student’s current abilities?

Environment

• What materials and equipment are currently available in the environment?

• What is the physical arrangement?

• What is the instructional arrangement?

• Are there likely to be changes?

• Color is a powerful tool

Task

• What activities take place in the environment?

• What are the critical elements of the activities?

• How might technology support the student’s active participation in those activities?

Tools

• FINAL step

• What no tech, low tech, and high tech options should be considered when developing a system for a student with these needs and abilities doing these tasks in these environments?

• What strategies might be used to invite increased student performance?

• How might these tools be tried out with the student in the environment?

UDL Toolkit

• UDL toolkit wiki

• Please spend some time looking at the resources:

• graphic organizers

• literacy

• study skills

• math

• writing 

National Center on UDL

• National Center

• Examples & Resources

• Every principle is linked to resources & tools

Investigation

• Please take about 30 minutes to investigate all the resources.

• Be sure to bookmark Diigo any site you want to return to.

• I’ll briefly meet with folks individually on final presentation topic.

iPad - a game changer

• FreeTech4Teachers

• Steve Jobs & Apps for Autism

• 60 Minutes

• Links

• iPodsibilities

• Teaching Learners with Special Needs

• Free Speech app

iPad

• a blog post how iPad is used in a special education classroom

• A Blog Post listing many apps

• Apps Store has Special Education section

• and our friend Cybrary man’s list

• A handout for using iPad in the Special Education Classroom

More on the iPad

• Live Binders on iPad in Schools - a tremendous amount of material

• Mr. G Blog iPads, Web tools, math education

• a CNN report

• App Smackdown

Even more on the iPad

• ipads in the classroom - Kathy Schrock

• Moms with apps blog

• Smart Apps for Kids

• my Pinterest board on iPad

• iPodsibilities

• blog, apps review, resources