Technology in the Classroom Inclusion and Assistive Technologies Technology in the Classroom

AGENDA: Assistive Technologies Seminar Groups Alternative presentation format 1: Prezi

Inclusion in Manitoba The Public Schools Acts supports Manitoba 's philosophy of inclusion, which states: Inclusion is a way of thinking and acting that allows every individual to feel accepted, valued, and safe. An inclusive community consciously evolves to meet the changing needs of its members. Through recognition and support, an inclusive community provides meaningful involvement and equal access to the benefits of citizenship. In Manitoba , we embrace inclusion as a means of enhancing the well-being of every member of the community. By working together, we strengthen our capacity to provide the foundation for a richer future for all of us.

Inclusion cont’d Students with special needs should experience school as much as possible like their peers without special needs. To make inclusion applicable in Manitoba schools, educators will: Foster school and classroom communities where all students, including those with diverse needs and abilities, have a sense of personal belonging and achievement. Engage in practices that allow students with a wide range of learning needs to be taught together effectively. Enhance students’ abilities to deal with diversity

Inclusion is supported through… Classroom Support Universal Design and Differentiation Adaptation Modification Individualized programming Assistive Technology Student Specific Planning (IEP) Student Behaviour Support Student Specific Needs Transitional Planning

Questions: Who might be in your classroom? What are their abilities? Are you prepared to work with an EA? Do you think that inclusion works for everyone? Are classrooms the ‘least restrictive learning environments’ for students with disabilities? What is the role of technology? How can technology support a strength-based approach?

Inclusion Debate… Article from CTV CBC special on The Current

Reporting… A side note http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/assess/report_card.html New provincial report card templates As of 2012/13, all students will be reported on as either ‘regular’ or ‘IEP’. There is no longer an ‘adapted’ classification.

IEP Designations

Assistive Technology Pedagogies of inclusion are making it more common to see assistive technologies in your classroom. Students with physical and mental challenges can use assistive technologies to meet basic needs such as communication and mobility Assistive technology can also help students perform academically

Switch Access When physical movement and motor skills are a barrier, students may have ‘switch access’ to everyday technology. This is when the normal input method is replaced by an easily accessible switch. This head switch might Turn a device on/off, Activate speech, scroll Through options etc.

Assistive and Augmentative Communication Some technologies make it possible for non-verbal students to communicate. The Mayer-Johnson system ‘Boardmaker’ is quite common. Software uses simple pictures that can be arranged to construct sentences. Ablenet App for ipad is a mobile option

Assistive writing tools Speech to text software has existed for years, but was traditionally complicated, and voice sensitive. Today Apps like Dragon Dictation make speech to text quick and easy. Can be an ‘equalizer’ as students without physical or mental challenges also love using it.

Assistive Writing Cont’d Inspiration/Webspiration allows students to express themselves through mind mapping. Also incorporates images. GoQ is a company that makes cuing software (WordQ and SpeakQ) which offers students word prediction in a drop down list. It also offers spoken feedback and speech recognition.

MB Assistive Tech. Resources Society for Manitobans with Disabilities (SMD) www.smd.mb.ca/assistive_technology_support_program_and_funding_guide.aspx Open Access Resource Centre www.oarc.ca/ Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) www.cnib.ca/en/services/products/Default.aspx Canadian Parapalegic Association (CPA) www.canparaplegic.org/en/Assistive_Equipment_90.html Assistive Technology Products and Services (ATPS) of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) www.hsc.mb.ca/re/EMAT.htm (Health Sciences Centre) www.deerlodge.mb.ca/pdf/ATPSBrochure.pdf (Deer Lodge Centre) Rehabilitation Centre for Children (RCC) www.rccinc.ca/