Technology in the Classroom

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Technology in the Classroom

• Class 6

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AGENDA

• Assistive Technologies
• Seminar Groups
• Alternative presentation format 1 Prezi

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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.

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Inclusion contd

• 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

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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

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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-basedapproac
  h?

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Inclusion Debate

• Article from CTV
• CBC special on The Current

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Reporting A side note

• http//www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/assess/report_card.ht
  ml
• 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.

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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

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Switch Access

• When physical movement and motor skills are a
  barrier, students will often 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.

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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

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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.

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Assistive Writing Contd

• 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.

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MB Assistive Tech. Resources

• Society for Manitobans with Disabilities
  (SMD)www.smd.mb.ca/assistive_technology_support_p
  rogram_and_funding_guide.aspx
• Open Access Resource Centrewww.oarc.ca/
• Canadian National Institute for the Blind
  (CNIB)www.cnib.ca/en/services/products/Default.as
  px
• 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/

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SMART Board websites

• http//oaklibrary.pbworks.com/w/page/10210846/Fron
  tPage
• http//ca.ixl.com/
• http//www.ecokids.ca/pub/eco_info/topics/frogs/ch
  ain_reaction/
• Search tip Add interactive to your search
  terms in google