Blended Learning Software Packages

Clicker is being used widely in classrooms across Canada. Wizards and templates in Clicker 6 and new access and brainstorming features in version 7, make Clicker an application that supports all areas of the curriculum. Bridges training is designed to help educators who are new to Clicker get started and to support those who have some experience to dig deeper.  

A range of training options are offered. Through these options, participants will: 

• understand the applicability of Clicker as a tool for whole class small group and individual instruction.
• understand a range of wizards and templates available and how they can be used to differentiate reading, vocabulary instruction and writing.
• learn to create basic grids and to do basic editing of existing writing grids so that Clicker aligns with the current practice and curriculum used in the classroom.
• be encouraged to think about their own classroom needs and next steps in their implementation of Clicker.

Select one of the training packages listed below or contact us to discuss a customized offering to suit your needs. 

Package 1: Blended Learning (max 20 participants)

Full day introductory Workshop (face to face, hands-on guided instruction)

Clicker Document – Clicker for Whole Class Instruction: In this section, the application of Clicker for whole class literacy instruction and writing across the curriculum will be highlighted with examples. Participants are introduced to features of the Clicker word processor, including how to add images, how to set up word prediction and use the spell checker. Considerations for the use of images and text to speech for reading and writing will also be covered.

Quick Wizards – Differentiating Instruction (word/phrase/sentence based scaffolding): Participants explore the sentence building and word bank grid wizards and a matching page wizard, all of which provide teachers with a quick and easy method for creating multimedia learning activities.

From Planning through to Draft – Explore Clicker Board to brainstorm with writing supports, and then move into draft mode with Clicker word banks and word prediction to support writing.

Clicker Templates – Explore Clicker to support reading, vocabulary and writing goals: An overview of the range of Clicker templates is provided followed by exploration of the Labeling, Forced Order and Book Templates.

Learning Grids - Participants are introduced to the breadth and depth of on-line readymade Clicker activities and how to download and make minor changes to the content to suit the needs of their students.

• Choice of 2 webinars (from the list below)
  
• One year subscription to online tutorials that reinforce and expand upon the workshop and webinars. 

Fee: $2,000 for the full Blended Learning package (*travel expenses extra if necessary). 

Package 2: Remote Learning (max 50 participants)

5 webinars, delivered over a 10 week period 

1. Overview of Clicker with emphasis on the Document writer  

This webinar will provide an overview of the toolbars and preferences, outlining considerations when setting preferences. Various types of media combined with text will be demonstrated. Use of various keyboards, word prediction, and file management will be demonstrated. 

2. Reading Instruction: Create Clicker activities to support reading comprehension

This webinar will demonstrate how to use Clicker quick page wizards (Tell a Story, Talk About, Writing Book) and Clicker templates (Book making, labeling) to create resources that support before reading, during reading, and after reading strategies. Creating reading materials with video, images, audio and text will be covered. Methods for supporting vocabulary instruction both before reading and during reading will be included. 

3. Differentiated Writing Activities to Support Classroom Instruction 

This webinar will demonstrate how to use Clicker quick grid wizards (sentence building, picture and word banks) and   grid templates (word/picture banks, sentence building, blank grids and writing frames) for a variety of writing needs: word walls, sentence building, sentence starters, word banks, notetaking while reading.

4. Vocabulary Instruction: Create Supports for Reading and Writing

This webinar will demonstrate how to use Clicker quick page wizards for vocabulary activities. It will also demonstrate   how to use the editing tools to create glossaries for reading and writing activities, as well as vocabulary activities to support learning new vocabulary. This webinar will include instruction on how to create a new template to be reused for new activities.

5. Participants choose the topic for the final webinar (from the following):

• Illustrating Books and Stories: Clicker Paint 
• Alternate Access, or 
• Clicker: Further Customization and Program Management 
• Clicker 7: Clicker Board
  

One year subscription to online tutorials that reinforce and expand upon the workshop and webinars.

Assignments between webinars that include following some tutorials, completing small quizzes and creating a Clicker activity to be shared with course participants.

A certificate of completion will be provided to participants who complete course requirements (attendance at webinars, completion of quizzes and Clicker activity)

Fee: $99/person. School boards wishing to register a group of up to 50 participants should contact us for pricing.

Mindomo

Format

Full Day Workshop

This workshop will provide participants with guided practice in using Mindomo for: 

• notetaking, while reading from digital or nondigital materials 
• studying from Mindomo notes 
• creating and collaborating on mind maps and presentations 
• creating templates to support guided reading and note taking 
• assigning and sharing maps with students 
• monitoring student work and providing quantitative and qualitative feedback
  

Webinars

Webinar 1: Mindomo: Use of Mind mapping for a Variety of Classroom Applications 

Learn how Mindomo can be used to brainstorm and organize ideas, using features that have a research base for effectiveness in memory retention and concept development. This webinar will provide participants with an understanding of the features of Mindomo for creating individual maps, and will provide an overview with examples of its application for research, guided reading, presentations, and test preparation.

Webinar 2: Teacher Management of Mindomo in the Classroom 

This webinar will provide participants with an understanding about how teachers can create Mindomo assignments for students, provide opportunities for students to collaborate on maps, and then monitor their progress and provide quantitative and qualitative feedback. These features allow teachers to model the use of Mindomo and then assign a map to small groups or individuals to complete an assignment. Teachers can replay maps to view individual student contributions to group projects, and can provide feedback to groups or individuals.

Kurzweil 3000

Kurzweil provides support for reading, writing, research and test taking across the curriculum. New features are being delivered on a regular basis. This training will provide educators with the ability to incorporate the features of Kurzweil web license into regular classroom instruction, using the Universal library and Google drive to support sharing. Participants will be introduced to firefly and to the Read the Web extension, allowing use across devices. 

Format 

Full day introductory Workshop (face to face, hands-on guided instruction)

Using Kurzweil desktop version, this workshop will provide participants with:

• An understanding of the file formats compatible with Kurzweil and how to access them within Kurzweil 
• An understanding of the features that can be incorporated into before reading, during reading and after reading strategies to support reading comprehension 
• An understanding of how the writing features support process writing from brainstorming through revision and editing.  
• An understanding of the test taking preparation and test taking features of Kurzweil An understanding of how the Universal library and Google drive can support file management and sharing

Half day Workshop: (face to face, hands-on guided instruction) 

Using firefly, participants already comfortable with Kurzweil desktop, will be introduced to the features of firefly for supporting all of the areas listed in the full day workshop (acquisition of digital files, reading, writing, and test taking). It will also support participants in understanding how to set up classes and use the Universal library and Google drive to support classroom assignments and sharing. 

Webinars

1. Supporting reading comprehension across devices 

This webinar will provide an overview of how the reading, vocabulary and annotation tools can be used across platforms (desktop, browser, iPad, phone) to support reading comprehension. 

2. Supporting process writing across devices

This webinar will provide an overview of the features of Kurzweil that support process writing from brainstorming through revision and editing. A variety of supports such as mind mapping, word prediction, word lists, and editing checklists will be demonstrated in both the desktop version and firefly. 

3. Test Taking

This webinar will outline common test taking strategies and Kurzweil tools that support them. Participants will be introduced to locking features and toolbar customization that educators can employ to set up documents for assessment purposes. They will also be introduced to the tools commonly used by students to support test taking. 

Co:Writer, Word Banks and Snap&Read Universal  

Co:Writer, Word banks and Snap&Read provide students with tools that support reading, writing and research in all curriculum areas, across all device platforms. Though intuitive in their design, Bridges training will introduce all of the features of these applications and help you to think through how to apply their use in classroom instruction. 

Format 

Half day Workshop: (face to face, hands-on guided instruction) 

Co-Writer - Participants will

• Understand the different types of dictionaries (momentary, quick topic, regular topic) 
• Understand how to use the preferences to differentiate the look and feel of Co:Writer for different users
• Understand the grammatical and spelling supports provided by Co:Writer
• Be introduced to Co:Writer desktop, app, extension and iPad versions.

Word Banks - Participants Will: 

• Learn how to set the preferences for Word Banks
  
• Understand how to use word banks in conjunction with Co:Writer
  

Snap&Read - Participants Will: 

• Learn how to use tools to access accessible and inaccessible text
  
• Learn how to use the text leveling and translation tools to support language
  
• Learn how to use the research/notetaking tools to support the recursive nature of reading and writing
  

Putting it all together 

Participants will engage in classroom type assignments, using Co:Writer, Word Banks and Snap&Read, with a view to students with different profiles and needs. Desktop applications such as Microsoft word and web applications such as google docs and Mindomo will be used. An overview of the data collection tools will provide participants with an understanding of how to use the data to inform instruction. 

Full Day Workshop

A full day workshop will introduce G Suite and commonly used applications using the Chrome browser. Google drive, Google docs, Google slides and Google forms will be introduced in conjunction with the Co:Writer, Word bank, and Snap&Read extensions, making it possible for ALL students to learn and achieve. 

Read&Write Toolbars

This workshop is designed to introduce G Suite and use of the Read&Write toolbars to support use of Google docs, Google slides, reading on the web and accessing PDF documents.   

Bridges instructors are certified Google educators and are Read&Write for Google Chrome certified. They have many hours of experience training students and teachers in different aspects of the Google environment to support learning for all students.

Format 

Half day Workshop:

Participants will

• Understand how to use the Read&Write toolbar to support before reading and during reading strategies on the web and in PDF documents
• Understand how to use the Read&Write toolbar to support writing in Google docs and Google slides
• Understand the grammatical and spelling supports provided by Co:Writer
• Understand how to use the Read&Write toolbars to engage in activities such as notetaking, and working on project and presentations

Full Day Workshop

A full day workshop will introduce G Suite and commonly used applications using the Chrome browser. Google drive, Google docs, Google slides and Google forms will be introduced in conjunction with the Co:Writer, Word bank, and Snap&Read extensions, making it possible for ALL students to learn and achieve.