Spring Conference 2013 - VocaLinks Inc. · challenges. This presentation will demonstrate how to...

MAY 3, 2013

CONFERENCE

PROGRAM

• Keynote

• Workshops

• Itinerary

Spring Conference 2013 “Supporting Inclusion in

21st Century Classrooms”

Sheraton on the Falls Hotel

5875 Falls Avenue Niagara Falls, ON L2G 3K7

905-374-4445

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

David Chalk From Pain to Passion

David Chalk is an entrepreneur, technology guru, television personality, syndicated columnist, and sought-after public speaker.

David’s commitment to education and effective e-learning is rooted in his life experience – he overcame a severe learning disability to become an expert guide in the digital world.

Today, Chalk helps others tap into their abilities, using technology as a vehicle to do so. He explores the real possibilities of the human mind and shows how technology can help people achieve their dreams.

Join the conversation on Twitter! Add #aset2013 to your tweets to keep us connected.

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTORS

SESSION A (10:45 – 11:55)

A1. Learning How We “Learn Different”

D.J. Cunningham and Mark Miller This presentation will demonstrate how different types of assistive technology can support different learning styles. In order to do this, the presentation will be divided in three sections:

1. The Struggle 2. How We Learn Differently 3. Integrating Assistive Technology & Differentiated Instruction

DJ is a personal user of AT. He was diagnosed with a learning disability and ADHD in grade 4. DJ struggled throughout his school career. Finding success in university using AT, DJ decided to start a technology consulting company, LEARNstyle. Today LEARNstyle has 19 staff members and services many school boards across Ontario. Mark Miller is a leading differentiated instruction presenter and researcher. He currently is the head of DI for the Peel District School Board where he is employed as a secondary school teacher. Having studied under Barry Bennett and worked alongside Karen Hume, Mark enjoys taking DI theory and putting it into practice. A2. Smart Inclusion: Combining Good Instructional Practice with Technology to Enable ALL Students Alexandra Dunn “Inclusioneers”: Come and explore how mainstream technology (interactive whiteboards, SMART Tables, Nintendo, iPads), used with assistive technology, act as a catalyst for inclusive classroom practices. See how putting the tools in the hands of students can enhance educational and social participation for ALL students, including those with disabilities. Smart Inclusion research around participation of both students and educators will be shared through demonstration, video and class examples. A “fireworks” of strategies developed by fellow educators will be highlighted with an opportunity for audience “Inclusioneers” to share their “fireworks” with others. Alex Dunn is a Speech-Language Pathologist at the Upper Canada District School Board and president of Inclusioneers™. She has presented across the USA, Canada, Puerto Rico,


Germany, England, Spain, exploring technology (SMART Technology, iPads, Assistive Technology) as part of a Universal Design for Learning Toolkit. Recently Alex Dunn was named SMART Technologies’ Exemplary Educator of the Year for Canada for 2012 and appointed as an Officer for Special Education Technology Special Interest Group for the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). A3. iPossibilities: iPods and iPads in Special Education Tina Mandal & Jeff Tran This workshop will focus on the new accessibility features of the iPad and apps which support students with a variety of special education needs. Some of the categories of apps that will be explored include:

1. Organizational Apps 2. Communication and Assistive Technology Apps 3. Reading Apps 4. Writing Apps 5. Math Apps 6. Science Apps

Participants will get the chance to search apps in iTunes as well as try out a variety of apps and learn how they support the learning needs of students. Jeff Tran and Tina Mandal are teachers with the Durham District School Board. Jeff and Tina support teachers and students throughout the board in the use and integration of Assistive Technology in everyday teaching and learning. They work collaboratively with support services to ensure that hardware and software that best meets the needs of students is recommended and supported. A4. Supporting Learning Disabilities with Microsoft Office Tara Wagg & Miranda Barry Drawing on the practical experiences and feedback from teachers and students, we will discuss, display, and suggest the implications of different features within Microsoft Office programs that can leverage the strengths of students with learning disabilities. This presentation will address how different processes affect student learning based on the York Region District School Board's 'Understanding Learning Disabilities Chart'. With a focus on Microsoft Office Suite, we will demonstrate how specific features included in MS Word, MS Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher can be used to support the needs of exceptional learners.


Tara Wagg is currently a Special Education Consultant with the York Region District School Board. In this role, she supports effective programming for students with special education needs.

Miranda Barry is one of five Technology Resource Teachers (TRT) with the York Region District School Board. In this role, she supports the purposeful use and integration of assistive technology. A5. Reading Rocks Summer Camp Jennifer Connelly & Christina Raso With funding provided by the LNS, Sudbury Catholic Schools has had the opportunity to provide an intensive summer reading intervention program for those students not performing at grade level. iPads were used to engage and enhance the learning opportunities for these students. In addition, students had the opportunity to participate in a full day hands-on technology camp. Join us to learn about the power of technology!

AT Technology Teacher, Jennifer Connelly and Special Education Consultant, Christina Raso, work together on various educational projects to improve learning outcomes for all students. A6. Visual Schedules: Integrating Multi-Media for Student Success Kara Hiott-Bowles, Lynn Orr & Maxine Elliott This session will provide participants with an overview of the District School Board of Niagara’s Visual Schedule Project. A joint effort between the I.T. for Learning and Special Education Team. This presentation will demonstrate how opportunities for student success in the classroom can be maximized through combining the use of multi-media software such as SmartNotebook 11, Audacity, Word Q, Google Docs, Dragon and Evernote with existing visual schedule strategies. Kara Hiott-Bowles is a Central Educational Assistant for the IT for Learning (Curriculum) and S.W.A.T.T. (Software, Workshops and Technology Training) teams, Kara provides on-going support in technology training for students, staff and administrators across the District School Board of Niagara. Kara possesses a Bachelor of Arts degree in Disability Studies from Ryerson University.

Lynn Orr is a Speech-Language Pathologist with Special Education School Support Services Autism Resource Team supporting student and their teaching teams in elementary and secondary schools across the District School Board of Niagara. Lynn holds a Master Degree in Communication Disorders and Sciences from the State University Of New York at Buffalo and has provided communication, language and literacy supports to students for over 20 years.


Maxine Elliott is a Central Educational Assistant-Technology at the District School Board of Niagara. She is a member of the IT for Learning and the SWATT teams. Maxine is dedicated to developing independence and increasing success for the students she trains and to building capacity with staff and administrators. A7. LexCam & Lex Software - Perfect Dyslexia Reading Aid for Those With Learning Difficulties! Terry Scott Lex is a specially designed software package for dyslexic users that allows them to quickly acquire or import their documents and then convert them into a viewing style or document format that makes them easier and faster to read and comprehend. This includes colour adjustments, (colour replacement and tinting), line spacing adjustment, 6 viewing modes (visualizations), custom highlighting and many more. Visualizations include: Image, Overlay, Column, Horizontal, Vertical, Word. Users can also have their documents read out loud in any one of 26 languages with the latest human sounding voices. Terry is the President of Special Needs Computers. Special Needs offers practical Assistive Technology and Office ergonomic solutions, always balancing service, quality, and economics. Special Needs has been ADP Vendors (Vision and Communication) since 2002, when he started the business. Terry has a Master’s Degree in Christian Education. He also has been working in the Information Technology field for over 30 years.


SESSION B (12:50 – 2:00)

B1. Increasing Student Engagement and Differentiating Instruction in your Literacy Program Using Interactive Whiteboards Andrea Statton & Lisa Mast Do you want to increase student engagement and differentiate learning? Having trouble focusing student attention? Are you teaching students that require visual and auditory support? Discover how to use specific Interactive Whiteboard tools to engage your students with special needs in Literacy. This session will focus on ways to support students with Learning Disabilities, as well as techniques to increase communication for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Developmental Delay. Learn how visual literacy can also support students with Behaviour challenges. This presentation will demonstrate how to use tools such as slate, document camera and learner response systems seamlessly in a special education classroom. Come prepared to participate in sample Literacy lessons that connect IEP strategies and interactive whiteboard tools; and, most importantly -- to be inspired! Lisa Mast and Andrea Statton are both Itinerant Resource Teachers with the Assistive Technology Team in Special Education and Section Programs, within the Toronto District School Board. Andrea and Lisa both have experience working in a variety of different special education roles and supporting student learning needs and communication through the use of assistive technology. They both feel strongly that using assistive technology can help students to become more independent and engaged learners.

B2. Bring IT: Integrating Mobile Technologies into the Learning Strategies Curriculum Wendy Malloch & Danielle Kennedy

For the last two years, we have been part of a pilot project encouraging the integration of mobile devices (Bring your own I.T.) into the classrooms, and this year we have created an additional program, piloting the use of iPads in the GLE classroom. Our goal was to help build learning skills and self-accommodation strategies using the technology many students carry in their pockets.


This workshop will be divided into a "newbie" group, where you may use your own device to create accounts and explore our favourite tools, and an "expert" group where we will share how we have integrated iPads and other tools into our curriculum, plus our students' analysis of what they have found most helpful. Participants are encouraged to migrate between groups as they wish. A limited number of iPads will be available for use.

Wendy Malloch and Danielle Kennedy work in the Special Education Department at Nelson High School. We provide support and learning strategies instruction for students with a wide range of identifications who are typically either university or college-bound. Our backgrounds in science and languages combined with an enthusiasm for collaborative online learning and a passion for supporting special education students has meant that we have implemented a large number of creative technology-focused initiatives in our department. B3. Remembering For You: Use of Assistive Technology as a Digital Memory Daniel Feilchenfeld and Chris Johnstone

In this presentation, we will explore various personal and SEA devices that support students with learning needs related to memory (e.g., short term, long term, working). Using case studies and observations we will investigate the ways in which different programs and devices can be integrated to create a ‘digital memory’, including LiveScribe Smartpens, Evernote, SoundCloud, screen recorders, various Calendar and reminder apps, Siri, and others. We welcome those new to assistive technology, as well as those with experiences who can share their knowledge and resources!

Daniel and Chris are Technology Resource Teachers with the York Region District School Board. They support the integration and implementation of assistive technology in elementary and secondary schools. Daniel presented at last year's ASET conference, and at the Ontario CEC Conference. B4. Edmodo - Bringing the Social Network into the Classroom

Mike Watters & Dean Huyck

Edmodo is a free, web-based program that can dramatically change the dynamics of a class and ultimately, a teacher’s life. Yes, it sure feels like social media, but what it really does is centralize communication, evaluation, grading in one convenient place. In addition, the networking opportunities for both students and staff are staggering. At Trillium Demonstration School this program has become the major tool used to aid Learning Disabled students (and their teachers!) in getting organized and taking more responsibility for their learning. Mike and Dean will give you a tour of this program and show you how perhaps it can change your life.


Dean Huyck is a Special Education teacher at Trillium Demonstration School. Dean has over 25 years teaching experience and is a highly sought after presenter on a variety of educational and personal growth topics. Mike Watters is the Assistive Technology Advisor at Trillium, with 4 years of technology related education. Mike conducts weekly workshops and supports and develops cutting edge methods of incorporating new technologies into all aspects of education.

B5. Formation WordQ+SpeakQ et iWordQ Carlo Coccaro

Thèmes abordés :

· Apports de WordQ+SpeakQ pour les élèves éprouvant des difficultés de lecture et d'écriture;

· Apports de WordQ pour les élèves dans une langue seconde;

· Fonctionnement des logiciels;

· Apport et utilisation de l'application iWordQ pour les élèves.

WordQ+SpeakQ est un logiciel simple et efficace d'aide à l'écriture et à la lecture qui change la vie de ceux qui en ont besoin. Sa prédiction de mots, sa synthèse vocale et sa reconnaissance vocale (SpeakQ) permettent aux utilisateurs de mettre leurs idées par écrit et de lire tout texte, favorisent l'autonomie, la confiance en soi et la motivation à écrire et à lire. Cet outil permet aux utilisateurs de se concentrer sur leurs idées en contournant leurs difficultés de lecture et d'écriture.

iWordQ est une application d’aide à la lecture et à l’écriture facile à utiliser pour ceux qui éprouvent des difficultés de lecture et d’écriture. En mode Écriture, un éditeur de texte permet d'écrire avec le soutien de la prédiction de mots, une rétroaction vocale ainsi qu’un module d’expansion d’abréviations. Utilisez aussi la reconnaissance vocale avec le nouvel iPad (3, 4, mini). En mode Lecture, le texte est affiché de manière visuellement plus agréable pour améliorer la lisibilité. Il est utilisé pour la relecture, rechercher des erreurs, lire pour apprendre, lire à haute voix, la lecture silencieuse et la lecture désinvolte. Un mode de lecture par segmentation de texte (en attente de brevet) peut être sélectionné pour améliorer la compréhension et la lisibilité du texte en se concentrant sur un segment de texte à la fois.

Carlo Coccaro, entrepreneur et directeur du groupe Math et Mots, œuvre depuis plusieurs années dans le domaine de l'éducation, en particulier l'orthopédagogie et les technologies d'aide, tant au Canada qu'en Europe. Il anime depuis plusieurs années des formations sur les logiciels WordQ, SpeakQ et Inspiration. De plus, il accompagne, avec son équipe, les écoles


qui s'engagent dans la voie de l'inclusion scolaire et qui désirent faire une différence dans la vie de tous les élèves. B6. Using Technology in Education Beverley Solomon

This presentation will focus on different areas of reading -- Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Comprehension/Grammar and Meaning/ Fluency -- and demonstrate how Mindplay can assist with the reading process. Integrating lessons developed by a Speech Pathologist and Trained teacher, this program demonstrates out to sounds out and blend words . Learn how to interpret the student’s performance data, and to use the data to develop IEP goals and next steps when teaching individual students. This program can be used by both beginner and advanced users of technology.

Beverley Solomon has been involved in Educational publishing and training for 20 years. And is currently a trainer for Mindplay web-based program that offers student support in learning how to read, comprehend, decode, and improve fluency and silent reading. Beverly has made presentations across Alberta and Saskatchewan on special education programs that improve reading and understanding (SRA McGrawHill Ryerson/Nystrom/Curriculum Plus). Her last presentation at the ELL Conference in Banff (Nov 2012) focused on Using Technology to Improve Reading and Comprehension. B7. Supporting Students with Read&Write Gold Lisa Boone & Jay Cottell

Classrooms offer a diversity of challenges with each student requiring different supports. Read&Write Gold provides literacy supports customized to each student and provides those supports in mainstream applications. These supports are provided through a toolbar that docks alongside applications like Microsoft Word, Adobe Reader, and Internet Explorer. Jay and Lisa will present several different student profiles, exploring barriers faced in their learning environments during various assignments. A demonstration of how Read&Write Gold supports each student throughout their assignment will provide beginner and advanced technology users ideas on the ease of use, as well as techniques to implement with their own students using Read&Write Gold.

Jay Cottell is currently employed by Wolf Creek Public Schools as a Learning Technologies Consultant. Jay coordinates hardware and software training and implementation. He has facilitated a number of training sessions supporting staff, students, parents and representatives throughout Alberta on a number of technology initiatives. As the Learning Technologies Consultant, Jay is an Assistive Technology Coordinator with the Student Services Department and for the Technology Services and Learning Supports Departments.


Lisa Boone is a Certified Texthelp Trainer and has been training students, educators and families across Canada on Read&Write Gold for ten years. She started in a small computer lab training adults with disabilities on their technology, and then started with Aroga Technologies in 2004. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Learning Disabilities Association of Alberta.


SESSION C (2:05 – 3:15)

C1. Remove the Stigma-Teacher Models Assistive Technology Connie Gray & Sue Watson Simcoe County DSB uses many assistive technologies, both Ministry licensed and Board purchased, to support teachers and students on the school network. Come see how assistive technologies such as Kurzweil, Dragon, SMART Ideas, WordQ, PowerPoint, SMART Notebook, Clicker5 can be used as integrated instructional tools to engage more students! Connie Gray, Integrated Technology Consultant in Special Education, has been teaching and supporting exceptional students for over twenty years. Sue Watson has been supporting students with special needs for over 15 years in the area of assistive technology. Both Connie and Sue provide ongoing assistive technology training to teachers, students and parents within

their Board. C2. IWB Tools and Learning Accommodations - Make Student Learning Mathemagical! Valia Reinsalu & Christina Mathura “I’m just not a math person and never could be”…GASP!

If someone were to say, “I just can’t read and never can” our teacher-hearts would break. However, we often accept this type of deficit-thinking for our math learners. Why?!

This workshop supports math instruction through the use of assistive technology in order to engage and motivate students. It assists junior/intermediate special education teachers to integrate an interactive whiteboard into their mathematics program. The participants will engage in hands-on experiences exploring the elements of a three-part lesson and connect specific IEP accommodations to IWB tools. This session focuses on differentiated learning, parallel questions and exploring the ‘open-middle’ through the use of AT. Response systems (clickers) and a document camera will also be modelled. This workshop is intended for beginner technology users and will be modelling the use of the Promethean Interactive Whiteboard and its peripherals.


Valia Reinsalu has worked with students with various exceptionalities for over a decade. She enjoys exploring the use of technology in teaching and learning to match essential tools to students’ needs.

Christina Mathura is an Applied Behaviour Analysis therapist and teacher who has worked with a variety of students with an autism spectrum disorder, developmental delays and a wide variety of learning differences.

As Assistive Technology itinerant teachers for the Toronto District School Board, Vaile and Christina provide professional development and coordinate learning communities for special education teachers who have received a SEA interactive whiteboard. C3. Apps to Support Students with Autism and Other Disabilities Carmen Hall & Dr. Kimberly Maich The iPad and other devices assist children with ASD and other developmental disabilities. Discover what devices are available and what apps are suitable to promote independence, communication, and inclusion. Participants are asked to bring thier iPad, iPod, or iPhone if they have access. A limited number of iPads will be available on-site.

Carmen Hall is the coordinator and a professor in the Autism & Behavioural Science Graduate Certificate at Fanshawe College. Carmen has been involved in using iPads at the college level to promote greater understanding of the uses of the iPad with children with disabilities. Dr. Kimberly Maich, PhD, OCT, is an assistant professor of special education in the Department of Teacher Education at Brock University. She has studied and taught coast-to-coast in Canada. Her primary interests lie in special education; primarily, Autism Spectrum Disorders. C4. The Development and Training of Access Technologies for Students with Physical Disabilities Katherine Chow & Leslie Mumford This presentation will describe a two year pilot project that was designed to provide innovative and customized access technologies for 20 elementary school students diagnosed with physical disabilities. A multidisciplinary team consisting of a clinical engineer, an occupational therapist, and a speech language pathologist assessed each child’s strengths and abilities through observations, family meetings and teacher interviews. Once an appropriate technology was chosen or developed, individualized training programs were created to ensure that the students learned how to use their technologies successfully.


Concurrently, the students’ teachers, educational assistants (EAs) and parents were provided training on ways to encourage communication and provide opportunities for students to use their technology in the classroom and in the community. This workshop will:

1. present innovative access technologies that have been developed; 2. describe the delivery protocol and 3. review results in terms of technology adoption and impact on

communication skills, classroom participation and families.

Katherine received her B.A. in Developmental Psychology at Queen’s University and her M.Sc. in Occupational Therapy from the University of Toronto. Katherine currently works with the Toronto District School Board as an Occupational Therapist.

Leslie completed her B.Sc.Eng. in Biological Engineering at the University of Guelph, and her M.H.Sc. in Clinical Engineering at the University of Toronto. Leslie has worked in the pharmaceutical, water/wastewater treatment and medical device industries. C5. Differentiated Instruction and Collaborative Learning Using the Cloud Bruce White & Bill Schreiter Web-based software, also known as “Cloud Computing,” allows teachers and students to access a wide range of applications. There are many great tools for teaching, collaborating and designing lessons to meet the skills and learning styles of every student through differentiated instruction. Discover how Google and the "Cloud" open a “Window” to learning! Give your students the skills to practice co-operative learning, use their Multiple Intelligence strengths, and connect to tools outside the classroom. Come see how these new tools are used to enhance research, collaborative writing, reading, and publishing.

Bruce White has been a computer facilitator, teacher/librarian and visual arts teacher for over 22 years, a Learning Coordinator -Information Technology for 5 years, Google Certified Teachers, SMART Exemplary Educator, SMART certified trainer for Notebook and SMART Response, former member of the Differentiated Instruction Task Force and Instructional Intelligence for TVDSB and a SMART Education Consultant.

Bill Schreiter is a retired teacher with over 30 years experience, a former Learning Coordinator -Information Technology and Math teachers, SMART Exemplary Educator, SMART certified trainer for Notebook and SMART Education Consultant. Bill and Bruce have presented at conferences locally, provincially and internationally.


C6. Developing Interactive Multimedia Lessons Lori Carlson & Sandra Dietz Learn how to integrate multimedia, such as sound and video, in your classroom using SMART Notebook. You will learn how to work with page groups; understanding the Gallery; working with objects – transparency, animation, linking, working with sound; SMART Recorder; SMART Video Player; Flash video; printing and exporting from Notebook.

Lori Carlson has over 25 years experience in the education and technology sector. She holds multiple certifications including SMART Certified Master Trainer, Assistive Technologies Strategist, Learning Disabilities Specialist. Lori is a proficient instructor and Regional Business Manager currently working with VocaLinks Inc., teaching students, parents and educators on the effective use of SMART Interactive Whiteboard, SMART Response and Notebook software, Assistive Technology and Augmentative tools.

C7. Introducing the New Livescribe "Sky" Smartpen – Bilingual Presentation Joseph Valenti

Like its predecessor product the "Echo" smartpen, the new, wireless (WiFi) "Sky" smartpen synchronizes what one hears to what one writes in an otherwise typical notebook. The user can then upload handwriting and audio to review, search, share and listen to notes with ease. The new Sky smartpen offers seamless integration to Evernote, as well as access to traditional services such as Facebook and Google Docs. This presentation will appeal to both new and experienced users. We will cover a range of product capabilities and how-to's. Participants will be provided with links to many additional resources and to case studies which demonstrate effective use of Livescribe products in Spec Ed classrooms.

Joseph Valenti is the President of SmartpenCentral, Canada's leading provider of Livescribe Smartpens. An engineer by training, Joe has a passion for science education and social policy. His company serves schools and school boards from coast to coast and he is very pleased to have materially contributed to improvements in outcomes in Special Education.


CONFERENCE ITINERARY

THURSDAY, MAY 02, 2013

6:30 - 7:00 ASET Annual General Meeting

7:00 - 10:00 Meet ‘n Greet

FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2013

8:00 - 8:45 Registration and Breakfast

8:45 - 9:00 Welcome & O’Canada

9:00 - 9:15 Greetings from the Ministry

9:15 - 10:25 Keynote: David Chalk

10:25 - 10:40 Break

10:45 - 11:55 Session A

12:00 - 12:45 Lunch

12:50 - 2:00 Session B

2:05 - 3:15 Session C

3:15 - 3:30 Prize Draw

Be sure to stay for the

Draw Prizes!!

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