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2010 Learning Series Topics
*It is suggested that participants bring their own USB sticks to take the work they create home with them
*All Ontario sessions take place at Bridges Head Office, 2550 Argentia Road, Suite 121, Missisauga, Ontario, Canada. (1-800-353-1107)
Course Fees
half-day course - $70.00 plus GST [total: $73.50]
1 full-day course - $130.00 plus GST [total: $136.50]
An Introduction to Symwriter: A Symbol-based Word Processor
February 10 (1-4)
The next generation of Writing with Symbols! Symwriter is a talking word processor with smart-symbolization. Symwriter comes with 8,000 Widgit Literacy Symbols that have a strong schematic structure to support the learning and recognition of symbols. It also comes with Mayer-Johnson Picture Communication Symbols and a 1500 image graphic library.
During this workshop, participants will learn:
- How to create Symbol-supported print materials such as stories, worksheets and visual supports;
- How to create simple on-screen grids to support independent writing and;
- How Symwriter’s speech, writing, and symbol tools can support all levels of writers in the classroom.
Participants will have time to create materials to take away for immediate use in their classrooms.
Co:Writer and Write:Outloud Solo Edition
February 11 (9-3:30)
Write:Outloud se is a talking word processor and Co:Writer se is a word prediction program that provides students with powerful vocabulary and spelling supports.
During this workshop participants will learn how:
- To use the word processing and read tools in Write:Outloud se.
- To import electronic text and use the read tools in Write:Outloud se.
- To create structured writing activities using locked text.
- To assign work to student and track their progress with writing.
- To use word prediction to support writing and vocabulary development.
- To customize word prediction to support the varying needs of students.
Get a sneak peek of the newest versions of Co:Writer and Write:Outloud!
Supporting the Writing Process using Draft:Builder
February 15 (9-12)
Draft: Builder is tool that supports the pre-writing process through structured writing guides. It breaks down the process into outlining, elaborating with notes, and pulling it together in a final draft. Supportive tools including as spell-checkers, speech feedback and dictionaries are available throughout the process. Participants will learn how to use existing Draft:Builder writing outlines as well as create new outlines for students.
Get a sneak peek of the newest version of Draft:Builder!
Sorting Through Switch Interface Software
February 16 (9-12)
There is a range of software titles that have switch access and/or switch scanning access embedded within the application. All of these applications require that a switch interface be used to attach the switches to the computer. But how do you make sense of which switch interface to use with which application? How do you decide which switch interface is required if three separate applications are being used by the same student?
This half-day workshop will provide an overview of some of the features of popular switch interfaces (e.g. Intelliswitch, Don Johnson Switch Interface Pro, Crick Switch interface) and the process used to make purchasing decisions when considering different applications. You will use a resource to work through this decision making process with popular applications (such as Classroom Suite, Boardmaker and Clicker 5) which can also be used for applications not covered during the workshop.
Clicker 5 Foundations
February 16 (1-4)
Come learn what Clicker 5 is all about. We will explore the word processing and on-screen grid features of Clicker 5. You will learn how to support students writing through the use of word processing tools like speech feedback and word banks. We will explore a collection of sample grids, download sample grids from Learning Grids World and create simple grids from scratch. After this workshop, you will have a better sense of how Clicker 5 fits into your curriculum and how it supports specific learning goals for your students.
Classroom Suite 4 Foundations
February 22 (9-3:30)
Classroom Suite 4 is a reading, writing, math and early learning tool from IntelliTools that provides discrete instruction, immediate feedback and ongoing assessment. Its research-based templates allow educators to quickly create activities that follow the scope and sequence of classroom instruction.
Participants will learn how to:
- Use and create reading, math and early learning activities;
- Use the response latency, reading and math assessment tools;
- Assign work and generate reports and;
- Use the alternate access tools such as scanning and IntelliKeys Overlays.
Resources and tips sheets will be provided.
Kurzweil Foundations
February 23 (9-3:30)
Learn how to use the essential components of the software while making connections to the curriculum and to your students’ learning styles and needs.
During this workshop you will learn everything that you need to know to get started with Kurzweil 3000 including:
- Scanning and importing documents;
- Using the reading and reference tools;
- Reading the web while on-line;
- Study skills tools including highlighters, sticky-notes, voice-notes and bubble-notes;
- Test-taking features and;
- Writing Tools.
Participants will leave this workshop with resources, strategies and the skills to support students who use Kurzweil.
Introduction to Smart Technologies Products to Support Differentiated Instruction and Learning
February 24 (9-3:30)
Meeting the needs of all the students in a diverse classroom can be a challenge. The use of a Smart Board allows teachers to use specialized software to teach to the whole class and to differentiate instruction for students with cognitive, visual and physical disabilities. The Smart Board is a wonderful way to promote inclusion and whole class participation.
Come learn tips and tricks for integrating specialized software with the Smart Board and Smart Board tools. You will become a student in an engaging and differentiated lesson that incorporates powerful software, alternate access tools and the Smart Board. You will learn how all these tools combined can meet the needs of a whole range of students.
Technology Addressed: Boardmaker Plus, Classroom Suite 4, Smart Notebook and alternate access devices such as trackballs, Intellikeys Keyboards, and switches.
Boardmaker Version 6
February 25 (1-4)
In this engaging and productive workshop, participants will learn about the key features of Boardmaker including drawing tools, symbol-finder tools, symbolate tools (version 6.0), working with digital images and more! Participants will create symbol-supported materials that they can take away and use in their classroom.
Participants will learn about key resources that provide ready-made activities and templates for quick creation of Boardmaker displays.
Boardmaker Plus Foundations
February 26 (9-3:30)
Go from print to interactive! Learn how to use the features of Boardmaker Plus to create interactive, computer-based activities for your students. Participants will learn how to use templates to create a variety of computer-based activities including journals, storybooks, recipes, sorting activities and more. These activities will include symbols, digital graphics, recorded sounds, pages links, and more cool tools! Participants will receive resources for ready-made Boardmaker Plus activities.
Working with the Writing Tools in Kurzweil 3000
March 1 (9-12)
Kurzweil 3000 version 11 provides exciting new tools that support the writing process. These include tools for concept mapping, outlining and drafting. Other supportive writing tools include 2 column note taking, note snippets, word prediction and word lists. Participants will learn how to use these writing tools and customize their settings to support different writing needs.
Tips and Tricks for Supporting Students who Use Voice Recognition
March 1 (1-4)
Dragon is a speech-to-text tool that students can use for writing throughout the curriculum. For students who struggle with getting their thoughts onto paper, Dragon can be used to facilitate more independent writing. Dragon can support students who may forget their ideas before they can write them down, for those who tend to limit their vocabulary in writing due to spelling concerns and for students whose physical situations prevent them from using a pencil effectively.
In this workshop participants will learn how to support students who are using Dragon throughout the writing process:
- Generate and plan ideas – use Dragon with a graphic organizer (Ministry licensed Smart Ideas)
- Continue dictating into Microsoft Word to expand on the topics exported from Smart Ideas
- Using the text-to-speech tool in Dragon to proof read written work
Participants will:
- Create their own voice file
- Learn the most used commands
- Learn how to correct errors
- Learn good practices for maintaining a healthy voice file
- Learn tips for maximizing the power of Dragon in a classroom environment
*Participants must bring a memory stick for saving their voice files.
Creating Interactive and Engaging Thematic Units using Boardmaker Plus
March 4 (9-3:30)
Participants will spend a full-day using the powerful tools of BM Plus to create thematic activities with the support of an experienced instructor.
You will leave this workshop with a collection of student-driven activities to support a thematic unit, a launcher to run the activities, and copies of thematic units created by other workshop participants. This workshop is intended for individuals who have had an introduction to or some experience with Boardmaker Plus.
Participants are asked to bring resources to support their theme including curriculum ideas, websites and digital pictures as well as a memory stick to store their creations.
AT for IT: Assistive Technology for Information Technology Professionals
March 5 (9-3:30)
If you are involved with the set up and maintenance of technology at your school, this workshop will help you sort through the software and hardware that supports special education computers. Software such as Kurzweil 3000, SOLO, Writing with Symbols, SymWriter and many more programs will be covered in this workshop. You will receive a hands-on overview, information to support installation and maintenance, solutions to common technical issues and trouble shooting tips. Note: This workshop is updated on a regular basis to keep up with the changing face of technology.
Accessibility ABC’s
March 31 (9-3:30)
This workshop will provide an introduction to the ways in which students are able to access a variety of computer software applications. During the morning session, access will be considered within the framework of student skills and curricular/software tasks. A variety of access methods will be demonstrated, including pointing devices, alternate keyboards, scanning and morse code. During the afternoon, participants will have an opportunity to explore the access methods available in a small number of popular applications with access options built-in. This will include management of overlays with Intellikeys, single switch access to simple limited choice activities, and one and two switch scanning within applications such as Classroom Suite and Clicker 5. The hands-on portion of this workshop can be geared to the specific needs of participants.
Web of Solutions
April 6 (9-12)
Are you working with students who require access to the Internet for reading and research? Would you like to learn more about making the Internet an effective and efficient tool for all students?
During this session, participants will receive:
- background on using the web for reading and research using the Big 6 Model;
- an overview of points to consider when selecting websites including organization, navigation, reading level, graphic support, and accessibility;
- an overview of the tools and utilities that make websites more accessible;
- demonstration of how to streamline online research and organize research material using web extensions and utilities;
- exploration of websites for research and guided activities for critiquing and modifying the presentation of the content and;
- a sampling of wonderful websites for research.
In addition, participants will learn about “embedded” web browsing in Assistive Technology products. We will explore how tools such as the Kurzweil Taskbar and Read:Outloud Version 6 allow just-in-time access to reading supports while doing web-research.
Supporting Math using Classroom Suite 4
April 8 (9-12)
Classroom Suite 4 has engaging and supportive math activities and tools for students in grades K-4. Activities provide discrete instruction, models of performance and corrective feedback. Tools provide open-ended access to manipulatives such as fraction bars, base-ten blocks, number lines and counting boxes. Participants will learn how to create activities for students that scaffold presentation of math concepts, use the math tools to support learning and instruction and how to customize settings for different learning needs.
Supporting Writing using Classroom Suite 4
April 8 (1-4)
Classroom Suite 4 provides access to a word processor with writing supports such as speech feedback, read tools, word prediction, on-screen word banks (text and picture), and locked text. This workshop will provide an overview of the writing tools, with time for hands-on practice with each tool. Participants will learn how to adjust the settings to support different writing needs, how to create on-screen word banks, setup word prediction and create writing worksheets using locked text.
Preparing for Testing using Kurzweil 3000
April 12 (9-12)
Kurzweil 3000 is a recognized accommodation for the EQAO and OSSLT exams. This has prompted many questions about the implementation of Kurzweil 3000 for test-taking in the classroom.
During this workshop participants will learn:
- The different ways that worksheet and test material can be brought into Kurzweil 3000.
- How to work with different response formats in Kurzweil 3000.
- How to use the reference tools to support test-taking and worksheet completion.
- How to lock tools, modify toolbars and work with student users to provide accommodations for test-taking and worksheet completion.
- How to use tools such as highlighters, sticky notes, bubble-notes, bookmarks, writing tools and reading the web features to support study skills.
General tips and strategies will be shared for preparing to use Kurzweil 3000 for the provincial exams.
Supporting Early Learning with CS4
April 13 (1-4)
Classroom Suite 4 delivers wonderful tools for supporting early learning. These range from single switch multi-media to errorless writing activities and multi-media books. All of these activities can quickly and easily adjusted to meet the various access, cognitive and visual needs of the early learners. This workshop will provide a hands-on introduction to each of the early learning activities and guided practice for creating your very own early learning activities using templates in CS4.
Classroom Suite 4: Supporting a Universally Designed Classroom Using CS4
April 15 (9-3:30)
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an approach that ensures access to the curriculum for all students in a classroom. The three main principles of UDL are multiple means of representation, multiple means of expression and multiple means of engagement. Classroom Suite 4 (CS4) is a flexible tool that can meet the needs of the diverse classroom. This workshop will demonstrate the features of Classroom Suite4 that support the UDL principles.
Participants will learn how to:
- Quickly change toolbar representation as it relates to picture type, picture vs. text, the number of items available to students, and the font, size, spacing and colour features of toolbars. We will also demonstrate how to add sound to toolbars.
- Move toolbars in a document to support access on SMART boards and individual computers.
- Include strategies such as instructions, prompts, rubrics etc. within activities and how to easily make the same tools available in multiple activities.
- Customize onscreen keyboards and word prediction to support the individual needs of students.
- Use built-in access features to support students with physical challenges.
- Customize the visual and auditory feedback in activities.
It is recommended that participants have a working knowledge of CS4 for this workshop.
Clicker 5: Creating Multi-Media books and Extension Activities
April 26 (1-4)
Participants will learn how to use Clicker 5 to create thematic multi-media learning activities. Participants will create a storybook and extension activities such as word banks, sorting activities, diagrams and more. Participants are encouraged to bring their own photos and/or short video clips. Resources for finding images and video clips will be shared.
Symwriter: Getting into Grids!
April 26 (9-12)
Symwriter provides powerful tools for creating onscreen grids with letter, words, and phrases with or without picture support. Grids can be used for learning activities such as making words activities or for writing using sentence starters, word banks or journals. Participants will explore a range of grid sets that supporting learning and writing, we will create grid sets from templates and from scratch. You will leave with a collection of grids that you can use immediately in your classroom.
Boardmaker Plus: Buttons, Scripts and Cool Tools!
April 27 (9-3:30)
This workshop will delve into the world of Boardmaker Plus Tools that allow for creation of interactive activities. Examples of such tools include: moveable buttons, quick picture, quick text, quick record, button properties and launching applications. Participants will see examples of how each tool can be applied and learn how to program activities using each tool. Considerations of how the tools support learning and different student profiles will be discussed. Participants will share their activities at the end of the workshop.
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