Group items tagged

Click here to register for this event | Click here to download the full brochure (PDF) When: February 26 & March 5, 2011 9:00am to 1:00pm Mountain Where: MSUB College of Education, Room 122  Billings, MT What: Google Sites is a tool that allows students and teachers to create custom web pages. You can easily create and update these pages adding content, attachments, and embedded media from many other services, including Picasa Web Albums, YouTube video, and Google Apps. A site can be created for a class, a school, or any other group that needs to quickly share information and ideas—even a team or a club. The easy-to-use editor makes it possible to build a site in minutes using templates for specific types of pages, such as announcements, dashboards, file cabinets, or lists. You also have control over who has access to the page; share with everyone, or only specific individuals. The workshop will show how you can set up and maintain your own personal website in Google Sites with knowing limited HTML. Participants must bring a laptop computer.

They include iPads and iPods, smartphones and laptops. They already cost far less than more specialized technology and their price is dropping still further. But their potential to help change the course of U.S. K-12 education is limitless and their educational impact could soon include nearly every American child, including those with disabilities, according to noted education researcher and author Milton Chen, who calls these increasingly ubiquitous devices, “weapons of mass instruction.”

McKenzie Tavary is on a mission to prove to the world that people with disabilities are smart. Although she doesn’t speak, “Mokn,” which she calls herself, communicates by typing on a computer and once wrote, “God put me on this Earth to be an Angel to show people how smart I am and other people with disabilities.” The world may soon find out. Tavary, 19, has been working for the past year since graduating from Capital High School to learn life skills. This fall she is set to start college at University of Montana–Helena, where she’ll be the first nonverbal student with autism to attend the two-year school.

Most “standard” computer games get harder because they get faster, relying on the player’s reflexes and coordination keeping up. For example, in Tetris the blocks appear and drop faster and faster as your level increases Untimed games or time-independent games are those where you aren’t penalised if you play a game very slowly, have bad reflexes, or don’t posses the hand-eye coordination to time your movements accurately. Games like this are “turn-based” where any game actions only occur in response to the player’s actions, and don’t have any other timers or time-related limitations. One of my favourite time-independent games, Drop7, is another block-dropping game but each block only “falls” once you tell the game where to put it. Drop7 increases the difficulty by changing the mix of blocks which are dropped and by adding a layer of hidden (grey) blocks at the bottom of the screen after a number of moves Click here to read the full article

Click here to register for this webinar -- $39 What: Switch Blitz v.2011 is an idea generating session, a blitz of many items and strategies yet in a step by step format that will help you get started with switch use, motivate the stagnate switch user and progress the present switch user to higher levels. Switch Blitz v.2011 is a session with plenty of demonstrations and information that will take you from assessment to implementation. First we will touch on basics, and then progress to assessments, tools, strategies and resources. You will see demonstrations of switch software as well as FREE online switch resources. Participants will enjoy seeing video case examples of successful kids using their switches at the computer and for powered mobility. When: Wednesday, September 28, 2011 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Mountain Time Presenter: Cindy Nankee, OTR/L, ATP, Universal Technology for Learning & Living (UTLL) Full Abstract – Including speaker biography and learning points

Click here to register for this webinar -- $39 What: This session is a thorough examination of the current technology used by people who are blind or visually impaired to access electronic information. Most of these individuals can use their computers effectively by using screen magnification software. Those with very low or no vision can use screen reading software. Braille literate folks use Braille translation software, Braille displays, Braille embossers, and Braille graphics products. We will trace the recent evolution of this technology and the implications for today’s young students, college students, working adults, and seniors. When: Wednesday, September 22, 2011 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Mountain Time Presenter: William J. Bielawski III, Life Enhancement / Job Coach, The Chicago Lighthouse for People who are Blind or Visually Impaired Full Abstract – Including speaker biography and learning points

Whether you need help with math homework, need to prepare for a college entrance exam or the GED, or write an effective resume or term paper, HomeworkMT can help!   HomeworkMT offers free online tutoring, academic resources, writing assistance and preparatory testing materials from Tutor.com for all Montana residents. Get help in math, science, social studies or English from a live tutor as part of this statewide service. The service can be accessed from a Montana public, school, academic or special library or from your home computer. Tutors are available Sunday through Thursday 2 p.m. — 11 p.m. The SkillsCenter is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

ZoncoArm manufactures Mobil Arm Supports for people with upper-limb disabilities which can help with rehabilitation, and can add more freedom and independence to such activities of daily living as feeding, using a computer, and controlling the joy stick of a power wheelchair.

The use of optical character recognition (OCR) systems combined with speech synthesis (computer-generated speech) has become increasingly accepted as a means of compensating for reading disabilities. These OCR systems, or reading machines, convert printed text to spoken language so the user can hear and see written words. These technologies are now marketed internationally (for example, WYNN®, Kurzweil 3000®), commonly found in assistive technology centers serving individuals with learning disabilities, frequently exhibited at LD conferences, generally considered in assistive technology evaluations for students with LD, and regularly discussed in publications on LD and assistive technology.

LAND O' LAKES - About 155 sign language students at Sunlake High School are communicating each week with students from the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind in St. Augustine - from their classroom here. The students see and sign each other with the use of Skype technology: a computer program that enables communication through video and blog-style message blocks.

New York, NY — Eleigha Love, who describes her brain as a computer, and Jared Schmidt, a teenage sky diver, are the recipients of this year's $10,000 Anne Ford and Allegra Ford Scholarships given to two graduating high school seniors with documented learning disabilities (LD) who are pursuing undergraduate degrees. Anne Ford, Chairman Emerita of the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD), is a well-known philanthropist and author, who has been a long-time parent advocate for children with learning disabilities, starting with her own daughter, Allegra. The scholarship was created in 2001 by the NCLD board when Ms. Ford stepped down as chairman in honor of her service. In 2008, Allegra agreed to match the existing award, creating a second scholarship. Anne Ford and Today Show Host Al Roker presented the scholarships at this year's NCLD 34th Annual Benefit Dinner, emceed by Paula Zahn in New York City. Jared and Eleigha are two of more than 2.5 million students who are wrestling with learning disabilities. They are among the mere 64 percent of students with LD who graduate high school, and only 10 percent with LD that go on to a four-year college. "We received over 300 applications, and let me tell you everyone of them came from students deserving a scholarship," said Anne, handing out the awards to this year’s winners. “We hear so much about the challenges and struggles of students with LD, and it is so inspiring to see that so many are able to meet and surpass those challenges." "Our goal is to see every child with LD graduate from high school," said James Wendorf, Executive Director of NCLD. "We are still failing about 1 million children. We've seen graduation rates and classroom inclusion rise more than 15 percent over the past 10 years. But we need to continue to empower parents and teachers, reduce stigma among kids, and keep education funding on the top of the education agenda if we are going to see those numbers increase, not decrease." One of the biggest problems with learning disabilities is diagnosing them in time, before children get frustrated with the system. "To a child with learning disabilities, school can be a very isolating place, it can be a very frustrating place and frankly overwhelming," relayed CNN's Anderson Cooper at a recent NCLD lunch. "Too many kids with LD struggle to try and keep up with their peers and suffer from low confidence and self-esteem and lose their love of learning at a young age. It's hard to rekindle that once it's gone, which is why the work of this organization is so important."

Click here to download the full brochure with registration information (PDF) What: Behavior Management This academy is intended to give the paraeducator knowledge and skill in instructional methods that support students who have challenging behaviors in inclusive classrooms, resource rooms, elf-contained classrooms, domestic settings and the community. The module focuses on interactions that paraeducators have with students whose behaviors are challenging and on the role they lay in assisting the professional members of their teams with behavior challenges. Effective behavior management is a complex system of proactive strategies, positive reinforcements and natural or logical consequences. The most important concept to understand is that good behavioral management begins with the educator; that ultimately the only person anyone can truly control is him or herself. Our focus, therefore, must be on changing what we, as educators do, as opposed to attempting to make or force our students to change. This academy will address this issue and provide participants with a “tool box” of ideas and strategies that have been proven to encourage positive behavior in students. If your school is an MBI school, these strategies are consistent with the MBI philosophy. Number Theory and Rational Numbers This academy was designed to provide paraeducators with the skills and knowledge needed to assist students, grades 5-8, with mathematics skills taught in the classroom. The course content is designed and adapted from standards recommended by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. It includes the specific skill-building areas of number sense, computational techniques for fractions, decimals and percentages; and their related applications for intermediate and middle-school learners. Participants are encouraged and welcome to attend both days of training. When: June 8-9, 2011 Where:Robins Administration Building Upstairs Conference Room 425 6th Street Havre, MT Register: Register online at www.havre.k12.mt.us Click on the CSPD icon (upper right hand corner) Click on CSPD Calendar

We are pleased to announce a summer class presented online by Gail McGregor of the University of Montana on Standards-Based IEPS.  It is an excellent and reasonably priced opportunity for graduate credits and meaningful professional development for special education teachers, content teachers, special education directors and coops, and other educators who work with students with special needs. This course is designed to introduce general and special education teachers to the concept of standard-based IEPs and is organized around a series of five webcasts that have been created for the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI).  Supplementary readings and course assignments are designed to complement the information in the webinars.  The course syllabus and webinars are on the OPI website at: http://www.opi.mt.gov/Curriculum/MontCAS/MontCAS_Presents.html#gpm1_3  This course will be offered through the Office of Public Instruction and the University of Montana.  The Office of Public Instruction will provide the environment for the online learning communities that are part of the course.  The environment for the learning communities will be Adobe Connect webinars.  Students will need to have Flash Player and the Adobe Connect Add-in installed on their computers and have a microphone and speakers in order to participate in the learning communities.  OPI will assist participants in connecting and has microphones for check-out if needed.  Participants may take the course for renewal units through OPI or graduate credits through the University of Montana, and the grading option is a traditional letter grade.  Registration and payment for graduate credit is also through the University of Montana. The cost for two graduate credits is $135. We plan to offer this class in the summer, but need information from you regarding which session will work best for the majority of students that plan to take the course either for renewal units or graduate credits.  May 23-June 24..............................First Five-Week Summer Session June 27-July 29............................Second Five-Week Summer Session May 23-July 29.....................................Ten-Week Summer Session Please email Karen Richem if you are interested in the course and the session you prefer by Wednesday, May 11, 2011.  The session with the most interest will be offered.  Contact information for Karen:  krichem@mt.gov or 406-444-0748

Click here to register for this free webinar What: A growing number of educators around the country are turning to technology and different teaching and learning approaches to give students personalized learning experiences that mirror the customized experiences they take for granted outside of school. To meet students’ individual needs, they are putting in place 1-to-1 computing programs and using online courses and curricula, digital assessments, data tools, and Web-based games for education. Our guests will talk about how to use these tools and approaches to customize education based on students’ strengths and weaknesses. When: Wednesday, April 28, 2011 12:00-1:00pm Mountain (Also available "on demand" anytime 24 hours after the event) Guests: Christina A. Clayton, director virtual learning, Georgia Virtual School. Christopher Rush, co-founder and chief product officer, School of One, New York City. This webinar will be moderated by Michelle R. Davis, senior writer, Education Week Digital Directions.

Click here to download the flyer (PDF) | Click here to register What: Join us as we explore useful technology tools for the classroom. Each month we will explore technological tools that can enhance the educational experience for educators and students. This “hands on” opportunity will use technological tools available in everyday activities: personal computers, cell phones, iPods, iPads, and much more! Free downloadable programs to broaden the educational experience through such sites as Wiki, and Google will be explored. The goal of these sessions is to provide useable and practical technology for educators in such a way that it puts the “fun” back into education. November’s Technology Tuesday will be a “show and tell” of useful technologies that Trina finds useful within the classroom setting. It will also be an opportunity to share the technology that others use in their classrooms. This “sharing” of technology will build the foundation of future Technology Tuesdays. When: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 5:00pm - 7:00 pm Mountain Where: Fromberg Elementary Bldg (Use the North Door)Room 301 Fromberg, MT Contact: John Keener by phone 406-657-1743 or email john.keener@msubillings.edu Debra Miller by phone 406-657-2072 or email dmiller@msubillings.edu

Click here to download the flyer (PDF) | Click here to register What: Join us as we explore useful technology tools for the classroom. Each month we will explore technological tools that can enhance the educational experience for educators and students. This “hands on” opportunity will use technological tools available in everyday activities: personal computers, cell phones, iPods, iPads, and much more! Free downloadable programs to broaden the educational experience through such sites as Wiki, and Google will be explored. The goal of these sessions is to provide useable and practical technology for educators in such a way that it puts the “fun” back into education. November’s Technology Tuesday will be a “show and tell” of useful technologies that Trina finds useful within the classroom setting. It will also be an opportunity to share the technology that others use in their classrooms. This “sharing” of technology will build the foundation of future Technology Tuesdays. When: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 5:00pm - 7:00 pm Mountain Where: MSUB College of Education Building Room 122 1500 University Dr. Billings, MT Contact: John Keener by phone 406-657-1743 or email john.keener@msubillings.edu Debra Miller by phone 406-657-2072 or email dmiller@msubillings.edu

Get organized. Create an organized medical file and save every piece of paper pertaining to a child’s disabilities, services, needs and more. Make copies monthly and scan new documents into the computer. Get educated. Research your rights, therapies, and more. Be willing to learn, ask questions, and keep asking questions until you understand. Educate others. Respond patiently with the appropriate information when people say hurtful things or respond in ignorance. Be persistent. Don’t give up when you can’t get an appointment. Instead of getting angry, keep restating your need in a nice way. Look for solutions. Instead of talking poorly about a doctor or the insurance company, focus on finding solutions. Take care of yourself. Take some time to care for yourself; otherwise you’ll quickly burn out and be unable to care for your child. Find time each day, even if it’s only 5 minutes, to focus on your own needs.