1 Communities of Practice in Tech & Literacy: A Dynamic Example from the Field Yue-Ting Siu, UC Berkeley & SFSU Charlotte Cushman, Perkins School for the Blind Cyral Miller, TSBVI #AERIntlConf

2 Today’s Objectives Describe: A “Community of Practice” and its value in expanding access to educational resources. Discover: The Paths to Literacy site, use of social media platforms, and interactive features. Discuss: Ways a Virtual Community of Practice supports teachers and families in literacy

3 What is a “Community of Practice”? “Communities of practice are groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly.” -- Etienne Wenger (2006), Cognitive Anthropologist

4 Elements of a CoP The Domain: Shared interest and values The Community: Members interact and learn from each together The Practice: Mutual development of a shared repertoire of resources: experiences, stories, tools, and ways of addressing recurring problems - a shared practice

5 Levels of Participation From : http ://wenger-trayner.com/resources/slide-forms-of-participation / http ://wenger-trayner.com/resources/slide-forms-of-participation /

6 Relevancy to Itinerant TVIs Invite different and informal levels of participation Focus on shared values, goals Combination of mentors and mentees Access to shared expertise, experiences -- by Etienne Wenger (Harvard Business School, 2002 )

7 Example: Teachers’ technology use Teachers and students in general education: 1.Improved infrastructure 2.Increased funding and availability of technology 3.Standards for tech instruction in pre-service 4.Professional development Learning communities In-service trainings TVIs and students with visual impairments: 1.Improved infrastructure 2.Increased funding and availability of technology 3.Standards for tech instruction in pre-service 4.Professional development?

8 Differentiated Tech Use for TVIs TVIs are the gatekeeper Device-specific knowledge is insufficient Must flex tech in response to: - student needs - subject/content - technology constraints Toolkit changes quickly as technology #AERIntlConf.

9 What’s next? Provide solutions using a “what works” approach Create professional networks for better access to resources and development: Social media Virtual networks Nurture communities of practice (CoPs) Introduce skills and start building CoPs in #AERIntlConf.

10 What is Paths to Literacy? A community of practice that is dynamic A symposium or think tank that gives people access to ideas and conversations about literacy A home to multiple platforms, including an interactive website, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter

11 Content Areas The site is divided into 12 content areas: 1. General Literacy 2. Learning Media Assessment 3. Emergent Literacy 4. Multiple Disabilities 5. Braille 6. Struggling Readers 7. Print 8. Writing 9. Dual Media 10. English Language Learners 11. Auditory Strategies 12. Math Literacy

12 Features of the Site Blogs Strategies Resources Technology Research Instructional Guidelines

13 Value of Registering on the Site notifications of blog posts Subscribe to learn when posts are made in different areas Make comments, ask questions Submit a post and earn continuing education credit!

14 Interactive Possibilities of Site Conversations/comments

15 Dear Paths Sample questions include: -Parent of child with CVI looking for suggestions -How can I teach my deafblind son about the passage of time? -Which video games are accessible? -I need ideas about teaching the concept of “wide”. -Where can I find out about the methodology of teaching braille?

16 Social Media

17 Facebook ★ Great way to share information quickly! ★ Conversation threads and meaningful engagement continue to increase

18 Twitter ★ The Power of the # ★ Immediacy -- Connecting quickly throughout the day ★ Quick links, such as Assistive Tech. resource list

19 Pinterest Tool to visually organize information Locate ideas on topics and themes that are of interest

20 Finding the Community We need to go to where the discussions are happening: Facebook Twitter Pinterest Comments on posts on website Dear Paths

21 How do people follow us? Note that these numbers are old and we now have more than 5,000 people registered across all platforms.

22 Who is in our community?

23 Non-Registered Users 136,500+ unique visitors to the site since launch in April 2012 More than 520,000 page views during that time

24 International Community Visitors from 196 countries Spanish-language posts Cross-cultural content Posts from UK, Australia, Argentina, Canada, Philippines

25 Some of our favorites! Student-Made IEP Book Making Toast: Conversation Boxes O & M Literacy: “Routes “Journals Test Down and Teach Up: Task Analysis of a Duck Flying Fingers: Fluency Instruction for Beginning Braille Readers Using the iPad to Develop Literacy and Social Skills Toy Bars and Literacy Using the Preferred Learning Medium to Design a Communication SystemUsing the Preferred Learning Medium to Design a Communication System Follow-up Q & A from above Word Processing on the iPad Using VoiceOver Montessori Activities to Promote Pre-Literacy Skills for Tactual LearnersMontessori Activities to Promote Pre-Literacy Skills for Tactual Learners

26 What would you like to see from the community?

Yue-Ting (Ting) Siu, TVI & Doctoral Candidate Charlotte Cushman, Project Manager Perkins School for the Blind Cyral Miller, Outreach Director Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired #AERIntlConf