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Communication Books:Used by children with autism or those who struggle with verbal language, these books encourage a child to choose a small picture card. The card allows the child to ask for something or to answer a question. Called the Picture Exchange Communication System, PECS, it was created by Andrew Bondy, Ph.D. and Lori Frost, M.S.

Highlighter Tape:Many children with autism possess strengths in decoding skills but difficulties with comprehension. Highlighter tape is an economical way to highlight text without it being permanent.

FM Auditory Trainers:Children who are deaf or have significant hearing loss may use an FM auditory trainer in school. A microphone is worn by the teacher, and a receiver is worn by the student. An FM trainer has several settings.

Keynotes, Workshops & ConferencesI have been a presenter and keynote speaker around the world on a variety of topics in the areas of 21st century modern teaching and learning, heutagogy, blogging as pedagogy, personal learning networks, digital storytelling, world language teaching, presentation design,  visual literacy and globally connected learning. Learn More Blended Coaching ModelSchools are struggling to keep up with the demands of curriculum design and upgrades to prepare students for modern skills and emerging literacies. Professional Development needs to offer opportunities for teachers to transform traditional experiences and redefine their own learning and in consequence their teaching practices. Learn More Webinar & Video ConferencesFor a cost effective alternative to bringing in a consultant, consider inviting me to support your teachers online. I am available for online 1:1  coaching, small group or large group professional development in the areas of modern teaching & learning.

1. Encourage students to share work socially.

Edmodo helps you create a social, digital classroom. On Edmodo, you can vote, post assignments, create a class assignments calendar, and upload photos and messages to students. With more 17 million users, Edmodo has been a highly successful endeavor. It allows students to get real-time feedback by taking quizzes online. Teachers can also engage socially with one another by sharing lesson plans online and asking questions to their online communities. Edmodo's Global Read Aloud program encourages students to practice their reading and public speaking skills with other students from around the world

Strategies: Using feedback in the classroomModeling non-defensive behavior in the classroom can be critical to demonstrating effective use of feedback for teachers and students. Teaching critical thinkingCritical thinking, as it pertains to teaching and learning, can be considered an open-minded process of discovery and understanding, analysis and application, synthesis and evaluation. Bloom's taxonomyBenjamin Bloom (1956) created this taxonomy or classification system for categorizing "competencies" in educational settings, as defined by skills demonstrated by learner type or intelligence. Teaching with questioningWhat are some procedures and strategies for using questions in the classroom? The Socratic MethodTeaching by Asking Instead of by Telling: Teacher: Rick Garlikov; Students: 22 third grade class in a suburban elementary school... A binary arithmetic example! Teaching with guided notes in lecturesGuided Notes are teacher-prepared hand-outs that outline or map lectures, but leave "blank" space for key concepts, facts, definitions, etc. As the lecture progresses, the learner then fills in the spaces with content.

Helping educators and school leaders connect, collaborate, create, and share

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Tools to help you create innovative learning experiences

I believe that each child is a unique individual who needs a secure, caring, and stimulating atmosphere in which to grow and mature emotionally, intellectually, physically, and socially.

Developing a curriculum around student interests fosters intrinsic motivation and stimulates the passion to learn.

grab your student’s attention then by teaching them with the newest gadget

Using laptops, tablets, iPads, etc, allow students to relate to their learning in observable, immediate ways.

echnology is now a necessary skill in the workplace.

We know that high-quality teachers make all the difference in the classroom.

Raise professional standards for teachers. Improve salaries and working conditions. Reinvent teacher preparation and professional development. Encourage and reward teacher knowledge and skills.

teaching each letter you focus on only one sound at a time.  The letter A, for example, has many different sounds.  The first time the letter A is taught, I have chosen to focus on its short vowel sound.  While words such as airplane, acorn, and aerobics, start with the letter A, they do not focus on the short vowel sound.  Focus on one sound a week, and reading skills will come quickly for your child.

Technology inspires creativity like little else and it’s time to take a close look at what technology really means for your classroom.

Students are aware of its facility and its creative potential. Technology is nothing new to them; almost every aspect of their life requires its use and given any gadget they become most imaginative.

Teachers can still hold onto the teaching values you hold dear while embracing technology and promoting creativity in the classroom.

Best Practices: Elementary Tech Teachers DPS Elementary Technology Teachers Best Practices Getting Started Developing Highly Effective Technology Lab Instruction Teacher frequently implements the components of effective technology instruction including: A mini-lesson based on the DPS Information Literacy and Technology Proficiencies. Independent work time Teacher regularly implements the components of effective technology instruction including: A planned mini-lesson based on the DPS Information Literacy and Technology Proficiencies. Independent work time based on a classroom project developed in collaboration with the students� classroom teachers. Closure at the end of each work session that includes defining next steps and work the students need to continue and bring to the lab during their next session. Teacher routinely implements the components of effective information literacy and technology instruction including Mini-lessons that are focused and appropriate and which support student understanding of elements and strategies for specific ILT proficiencies.  The lessons are developed in collaboration with the students� classroom teachers and are project based and contain clear expectations and information necessary to improve the students� work. Independent work time which provides opportunities for students to work with clear intentions and purposes and to try the strategies and skills presented in the mini-lessons.  Students work individually or in small groups, as dictated by the needs of the project at hand. When students are working independently, the teacher confers with students or meets with small groups, focusing on the intended learning from the mini-lesson.  Closure at the end of the session includes reflective discussion on the part of the students re: what they have learned , in addition to defining next steps and the work the students need to continue and bring to the lab during their next session.

First: Emphasize good teaching, not good technology. Most faculty members want to learn things they can use, and can use quickly, to address teaching and learning. They want to become "end users" of technology, not technicians who must stay abreast of every new development in hardware, software, and programming skills.