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 **NHSTE ~ Tech Teachers/Integrators SIG**

**Assistive Technologies &** **Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Workshop**

SERESC, Bedford, NH

**Wednesday, October 27th, 2010**

**OPENING SESSION (9:00 to 9:45) in Rooms 200/201**

**//Creating Classrooms for Everyone: How Interactive Technology Supports UDL//** //presented by Kathleen H. McClaskey, President, Ed Tech Associates, khm@edtech-associates.com//

As education experiences an increase in students with diverse learning needs, a new and effective classroom model for instructing all students is needed. Innovative technologies including interactive whiteboards, simulations and online tools need to be leveraged to create classrooms where all students can learn and thrive. With these technologies, teachers can create learner friendly environments where full access to the curriculum can be realized and every student can use digital materials/tools. Experience how interactive tools and websites can help teachers create a universally designed classroom where all students can be engaged in learning.


 * Resources & Comments: **

**AM CONCURRENT SESSIONS**
 * Session 1: 10:00 to 10:35**

**//Kindles & Other Digital Texts in the Special Ed Classroom//** //~ Lauren Nelson, Grade 7/8 Special Education Teacher, Alton Central School, lnelson@alton.k12.nh.us//

Discover how one school is assisting students with reading disabilities in the general education classroom through the use of Kindles and other digital texts. Lauren discusses the benefits of digital text formats and how to use them to assist individual students with whole group assignments and instruction.

** Resources & Comments: **
**//Happy Endings: Using Technology Tools to Support UDL//** //~ Paula Wyka, Special Education Teacher, Alternative Learning Environment, Windham High School, pawzn3@gmail.com//

Explore the CAST Websites, web resources, and tools that integrate technology with an interdisciplinary approach to learning. Paula demonstrates Cast Science Writer, Cast Book Builder, Xtranormal, Kerpoof, Animationish and more.


 * Resources & Comments: **

**//Experience the Key to Educational Success ~ Read&Write GOLD for Windows//** //~ Nate Stevens, Territory Sales Manager, TextHelp Systems, Inc., n.stevens@texthelp.com//

See the latest version of Read&Write GOLD, award-winning literacy software that makes learning accessible for all students. Version 9 contains exciting new features and enhancements including natural-sounding male and female Texthelp Voices, Talking Flash eBooks, Screen Masking, Online Graphic Organizer, Online Translator, NIMAS Conversion Tool, and expanded licensing options.


 * Resources & Comments: **

**//The Dynavox Difference//** //~ Sabrina Levesque, Product Consultant, DynaVox Mayer-Johnson, sabrina.Levesque@dynavoxtech.com//

This session begins with an introduction to AAC video that shows a success story. From there participants explore the family of Dynavox product. Learn about the support that Dynavox offers before, during, and after the purchase of a device. Emphasis is placed on the tremendous after market support Dynavox provides to the SLP s, teams, and families. As a company Dynavox supports client needs with a framework that provides a logical and seamless progression to language structure and language use (INTERAACT). Assistance from Dynavox is ALWAYS available. Explore funding availability and discuss the process of acquiring a device.


 * Resources & Comments: **


 * Session 2: 11:00 to 11:35**

**//Who Wants to Be Smarter Than a 5th Grader?//** //~ Charlene Antonakos, 5th Grade Classroom Teacher, Timberlane/Danville, charlene.antonakos@timberlane.net//

Discover how to entice students to review skills with MS Powerpoint versions of your favorite game shows. If you are already using this technique, see how much more fun they can be with clickers (student response systems) and your Interwrite or Mobi interactive white board. Charlene brings some of these devices to demonstrate how she is using them in her classroom.

** Resources & Comments: **

**//Special Needs - Enhancing Lesson Planning Using IT//** //~ Gale Cossette, Ph.D., Special Education - Technology, CESNE, training@cesne.net//

This unique presentation demonstrates how to use web-based tools that motivate students, are easy to use, and free. These tools can optimize lesson/curriculum planning to enhance learning among students with special needs, as well as all students.


 * Resources & Comments: **

**//Portable Low Vision Solutions for Today's Mobile Student//** //~ David Vivian, Representative, Humanware, devivs@aol.com//

Humanware designs adaptive solutions for blind and visually impaired students. Presentation includes various solutions to assist students both in and out of the classroom. Humanware has a variety of hand held magnifiers as well as the Smartview Synergy desk top CCTV. Smartview Graduate is the ideal product for students who need to see things on their desk as well as across the room. The Graduate is easy to use, light to carry (2.5 lbs.), and simple to set up, whether it is in a classroom, lecture hall, or at a seminar. The Graduate splits into 3 main components, USB powered and easily stores documents on your laptop. myReader2 is the world's first ever "auto reader". myReader2 helps students with low vision and makes reading more enjoyable and natural while allowing students to read much faster. myReader2 weighs only 22 lbs. and is very easily transportable from classroom to classroom.


 * Resources & Comments: **

**//BrainX Digital Tutor - Integrating Neuroscience & Education to Produce Academic Mastery//** //~ Christopher Anderton, Director Eastern Region, BrainX, chrisa@BrainX.com//

BrainX is a leader in Neuro-education research, working with major universities to deliver a new class of learning technology. BrainX uses a new approach to online learning that is based on extensive brain research that accelerates learning and reinforces learned information for all students. Studies show that non-BrainX students only retained 28% of the learned information while the BrainX students retained 95% two weeks after instruction was provided. The BrainX Online Learning System caters to the needs of all learners. Every lesson has audio narration and flash animation to aide different types of learners. The system is self-paced and prescribes custom coursework specific to each learner s knowledge gaps, scheduling studying based on their progress. Since the system adapts to the student, no student will have to feel like they are falling behind or delaying the rest of the class.


 * Resources & Comments: **
 * If you would like copies of the papers "How Learning Works" or "Integrating Neuroscience and Education to Produce a New Framework for Achieving Mastery in Online Learning Environments" Please email me at chrisa@BrainX.com. our can also see a video presentation of the BrainX system: **


 * Link to video presentation here **

**POST LUNCHEON PRESENTATION (12:30 to 1:00) in Rooms 200/201**

**//Writing Support For All//** //presented by Cyndy Currier, NHSTE Software License Manager, ccurrier@mac.com//

Learn how Clicker 5 provides tools for students to paint, write, and create their very own stories with ease, and hear it as they create. Explore how to use the word banks to provide students with the vocabulary needed for their research writing. There is no reason for students to struggle when the tools are all there. Time permitting, Cyndy plans to demonstrate Write Online also.

**Resources & Comments:**

**PM CONCURRENT SESSIONS**

**//iPods to Improve Reading Comprehension//** //~ Nicole Tomaselli, Environmental Science, Hollis Primary School, nicoledecal@gmail.com//
 * Session 3: 1:20 to 1:55** ~ Please select one of the following sessions:
 * Room 200 **//iPods to Improve Reading Comprehension//** || Room 201 **//Special Needs - Enhancing Lesson Planning Using IT//** || Room 209 **//Using Technology to Assess & Develop Silent Reading Fluency//** || Room 210 **//An Integrated Literacy Solution ~ Kurzweil 3000 v12//** ||

Hear how special education students at Bedford High School utilize iPod nanos to improve their reading instruction. This pilot implementation utilizes audio files that are available for free because the works are in the public domain (via Librivox), some audiobooks that were purchased (via audible.com), and some that our staff recorded using Audacity. Nicole describes who and what was involved in the implementation and share best practices that may be helpful should you consider a similar implementation in your school.


 * Resources & Comments: **
 * See the Prezi online here! **

**//Special Needs - Enhancing Lesson Planning Using IT//** //~ Gale Cossette, Ph.D., Special Education - Technology, CESNE, training@cesne.net//

This unique presentation demonstrates how to use web-based tools that motivate students, are easy to use, and free. These tools can optimize lesson/curriculum planning to enhance learning among students with special needs, as well as all students.


 * Resources & Comments: **

**//Using Technology to Assess & Develop Silent Reading Fluency//** //~ Kevin O'Brien, MA/NH Sales Representative, Reading Plus, drobrien@netscape.com//

Most of us read silently most of the time. It is certainly the manner of reading during high stakes test. Yet, effective instruction to develop silent reading skills is conspicuously absent from most curriculums. Further more, many struggling readers have developed bad habits early in the "learn to read" process. These habits and errors are continuously reinforced when practicing reading. See how the Visagraph silent reading assessment and the Reading Plus program can provide you with the data and the tools to guide instruction and help students in ways never before possible.

Resources & Comments:

**//An Integrated Literacy Solution ~ Kurzweil 3000 v12//** //~ Cindy Kerrigan, NE Sales Executive, Cambium Learning Technologies, cindy.kerrigan@cambiumtech.com//

Discover the difference with a program anchored upon the principles of Universal Design (UDL) and support for all Response to Intervention (RTI) strategies. Kurzweil 3000 has the ability to differentiate instruction without differentiating the curriculum and provides access to all major digital file formats and printed materials.

** Resources & Comments: **


 * Session 4: 2:20 to 2:55**

**//ACT! Assessment, Choice, & Technology//** //~ Miss Cregan, Technology Integration Specialist, mcregan@sprise.com & Becky Ladeau, First Grade Teacher,// //Clark/Wilkins Elementary School//

In order to ASSESS students, we will be presenting ideas that give students more CHOICE to demonstrate learning, specifically using TECHNOLOGY tools and differentiated instructional strategies.

** Resources & Comments: **

**//Technology to Access General Curriculum in the 21st Century Classroom//** //~ Monica McCaffrey, Monica.Mccaffrey@timberlane.net &// Angelica Mahoney, //Speech/language Pathologists, Timberlane Regional School District//

This presentation includes a MS Powerpoint presentation that includes videos clips of students using various types of technology while participating in the general curriculum and school community. Monica and Angelica plan to link to their students back at school using Skype to bring the student perspective to the workshop.


 * Resources & Comments: **

**//Learning Through Listening: Making Curriculum accessible for students with print disabilities//** //~ Jennifer Dougherty, Regional Project Director, Reading for the Blind & Dyslexic, jdougherty@rfbd.org//

Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D) works with leading publishers and technology innovators to bring accessible materials to individuals with visual and learning disabilities. Audiobooks recorded in the human voice are available for download to a PC. Learn how RFB&D can make your curriculum accessible at school and free for individuals at home!


 * Resources & Comments: [|www.rfbd.org] **

**//Reading Pen - How it Works & How Teachers Incorporate it into the Classroom//** //~ Eric Ryan, Product Manager, Wizcom, ericr@wizcomtechus.com//

The Wizcom’s line of Reading Pens scan, define, and pronounce words aloud from any printed material. The Reading Pen2 and Reading Pen Touch Screen are innovative, portable learning tools for students with reading difficulties. Reading Pens provide reading autonomy, enhanced text comprehension, and fluency as well as support and motivate readers at all levels with a variety of different reading needs. Learn how to use Wizcom's Reading Pens and how they can be incorporated into a curriculum to enhance teaching and learning.


 * Resources & Comments: **