Supporting All Learners: Assistive Technology Part 1 - E014

The EduGals Podcast

In this episode, we are talking with Judy Sackville, an Assistive Technology Lead in Ontario, all about Special Education and Assistive Technology. She helps to break down what a learner profile is, and how we can approach each profile with practical tips and suggestions. Whether it be differentiation, or assistive technology, Judy has so much to share with us about how to become better and more inclusive educators.

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News and Updates

• Anywhere School Event by Google - August 11/12; note that you must register to access all the content!
• D2L/Brightspace - Portfolio Tool updates

Featured Content

• Learner Profile
  • How do students learn, strengths, needs, etc.
  • Gives us the information to better understand our students and their individual learning characteristics
• IEPs (Individual Education Plans)
  • How can teachers leverage the data provided in practical ways?
  • Examine the assessment info and baseline data
  • Intention of the IEP is to give teachers and students the licence to make the accommodations to help that student be successful
  • Team-based approach - collaborate with SERT (special education resource teacher) and outside professionals responsible for the assessment
  • Make the IEP as specific as possible!
• Self Advocacy
  • Consider through all lenses - parent, teacher, student
  • Modelling done by parents & teachers to allow students to see what advocacy can look like
  • We also need to keep in mind the age and maturity of our students
  • “We can’t assume silence means they understand!” No news is NOT good news for all students
  • We need to reach out, ask specific questions based on where they are not doing as well, and find out how we can help them to stand up for themselves
• Teacher Support
  • Look for signs/patterns that are unusual and trust your instincts!
  • Change/differentiate based on what you are noticing - for example, video/audio notes in Slides/Docs
• Google Read & Write by TextHelp
  • Read, Talk, Voice dictation, audio notes, websites can be read aloud or summarized
  • Normalizes assistive technology. All students can use and benefit from this tool
  • Swiss army knife of special education!
• Boardmaker Online
  • Symbols that provide a visual way for students to communicate
  • Online templates and activities for teachers to use to help make content accessible

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