1. Shelly Mitchell SES 662 Dr. S. Kurtts June 12, 2014

2. AUIDENCE *Middle School classroom teachers in a 1:1 computer school *School is very inclusive and all teachers have several students with disabilities in their classrooms, many of these teachers teach students with physical disabilities *Workshop is intended to last 4 hours and will be offered on a Teacher Workday *Teachers will receive Tehcnology CEU credits for attending *Exceptional Children’s teachers will be available during the workshop to assist with demonstrations

3. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY: AWARENESS AND WORKING KNOWLEDGE *Many teachers are unaware of the AT options available to their students *Due to their unawareness they also have a low working knowledge of how to use AT tools or how to develop instruction to work best with the tools used by their students

4. WORKSHOP OUTLINE ~Overview of “What is AT?” ~Demonstrate and allow time to set-up and practice with four AT Tools available in my school *Speak It Google Extension *QIZDOM Reading Pen *Audio eBook thru DestinyQuest *Dragon Dictation iPad app

5. PRE-ASSESSMENT All participants will complete a Google Form 1-2 weeks prior to the workshop. View Form hereView Form here This will allow time to modify the workshop as needed to best fit the needs of the audience.

6. PRESENTATION During the Overview Presentation teachers will learn the difference between low- tech, mid-tech, and high-tech tools. Time be allowed to discussed the three levels and to share examples of all the levels in our school

7. LOW-TECH refers to unsophisticated devices and largely non-electronic devices, many of which can be produced from local materials, such as:  pencil grips  book holders  texture boards  reading stands  educational toys and games

8. MEDIUM-TECH devices are more complicated, many of which can be manufactured locally, such as :  hearing aids  speech trainers  Braille paper and styluses  tape recorders  magnifying reading glasses

9. HIGH-TECH devices involve the use of sophisticated communication and environmental control systems that are electronically based. increasing variety of methods of adapting the computer through the use of special needs peripherals and/or software

10. LOW-TECH VERSUS HIGH-TECH Low-tech solutions are often more effective and easily integrated High-tech solutions have enormous potential, yet require  careful assessment for ‘fit’ with individual  require considerable specialist training and support to be effective  can be prohibitively expensive

11. AT TOOLS Sample Demonstrations of the Tools: *Speak It Google Extension - http://youtu.be/tXFJDPTu71M http://youtu.be/tXFJDPTu71M *QIZDOM Reading Pen – http://youtu.be/swFnMZnUYfg *Audio eBook thru DestinyQuest - http://youtu.be/d5OG75Ju15U?t=17s http://youtu.be/d5OG75Ju15U?t=17s *Dragon Dictation iPad app - http://youtu.be/LJ2bYq34_2U http://youtu.be/LJ2bYq34_2U

12. WORKSHOP EVALUATION View Form Here

13. REFLECTION AT is only successful when it is used properly. Thus classroom teachers need to be aware of and have a working knowledge of AT devices and services used by their students. AT is not a “fix” for the disability. Instead AT attempts to provide an alternative approach that works around the impairment. Low-Tech versus High Tech: One is not always better than the other. AT should contribute to the achievement of relevant and identified educational goals AT interventions should not create unrealistic expectations of what the student can achieve

14. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Assistive Technology Training Online (ATTO) (2005). http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/Foundation/intro/ http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/Foundation/intro/ Edyburn, Dave (2003). What Every Teacher Should Know About Assistive Technology. Boston: Pearson Education. Gavigan, K., & Kurtts, S. A. (2009). AT, UD, and thee: Using assistive technology and universal design for learning in 21st century media centers. Library Media Connection, (27)4, 54-56. Individual with Disabilities Act of 1990 (IDEA) P.L. 101 – 1476 Hooker, Mary (2007). The Role of Assistive Technology. Dublin, Ireland Integrating Assistive Technology Writing Tools – youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3FaLLE4a30&feature=share&list=PL748FE822E 87B4181&index=2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3FaLLE4a30&feature=share&list=PL748FE822E 87B4181&index=2 Kurtts, S.A., Dobbins, N., and Takemae, N. (2011). Using assistive technology to meet diverse learner needs. Library Media Connection, 30(4), 22-24 *Images courtesy of Google Images database – labeled for Creative Coomons reuse rights