Technology Tools for Diverse Learners Workshop Menu
Who Should Attend- General and special educators who use technology in grades K-12.
Note: It’s recommended that not all grades attend a single workshop, as being able to focus on K-2, 2-5, middle school, or high school will increase the value of the workshop. All participants should have at least intermediate computer skills.
- Professional developers in the area of educational technology. We will give you the tools to replicate a training in your district.
Face-to-Face or On Line
The following workshop topics can be presented as one-hour online Webinar events for up to 25 people. The interactive workshop encourages questions from the participants. Workshop topics can also be combined for a half or full-day training.
Menu of Topics
Research-based Strategies and Technology
In the book, Classroom Instruction That Works by Robert Marzano, Debra Pickering, and Jane Pollock, nine essential research-based strategies are identified. How can we use the most common classroom technology, such as KidPix, Inspiration, Microsoft Word, and web-based resources to enhance and deliver these strategies? Those attending should have some working knowledge of these resources and be prepared to learn how specific features can support identifying similarities and differences, summarizing, nonlinguistic representations, cooperative learning, setting objectives and providing feedback, cues, and advance organizers.
Talking Text
For struggling readers or those that want access to advance materials, Talking Text - where a personal computer “speaks” the words on its screen on user command- can be invaluable. This technology already exists on most computers and can be easily implemented. We will go over operating system, shareware, and commercial options for using text to speech on your computers, along with examples of use (i.e., pre-reading, selected vocabulary, proof-reading) in the classroom. (If your group is K-2, we’ll focus on KidPix and websites that read stories aloud.)
Digital Text
There are numerous internet resources for digital text, with more sources being developed all the time. Many books and historical documents have been converted to digital format, for access via computer. We’ll cover the best search engines and websites so that you can find text that is directly relevant to your classroom. We’ll touch on ways to make that text even more accessible through conversion to MP3 files (for student use on iPods) and other methods.
Microsoft Word
Word has features that support research-based strategies (i.e., highlighting, scaffolding, summarizing). For those that already know the basics, you can help diverse learners by selecting from the following built-in Word features: on screen highlighting of selected text; linking to a thesaurus or dictionary entry with one click; reformatting text to structure note-taking; inserting questions and prompts; allowing hidden comments to be made by the teacher or peers; using Auto-Summarize; and checking the reading level of a page.
Math Tools
Web-based tools can be multi-sensory, with animation and colorful graphics, appealing to visual and auditory learners. Computer-based lessons can present information in small chunks, allowing the user to control the speed. Many meet the needs of kinesthetic learners by providing hands-on exploration. They can all be used in addition to physical manipulatives, as well as pencil and paper. We’ll look at some of the best resources on the web.
Free and Low Cost Resources for Students with Disabilities
We’ll cover three ways to increase access for special education students. First, your Mac or Windows operating system has many adjustments that increase usability by people with disabilities. Second, common classroom software titles including KidPix and Kidspiration, have universal design features. Third, you can download some great utilities that enlarge the cursor, speed up typing, or allow students to work on specific skills, such as mousing. Resources are presented for students with visual, physical, and hearing impairments, and learning disabilities.
Other Options
Customized workshops or a full 6-8 week (15 hour) online course can be developed for your group.
Who Facilitates Your Learning
Julie Duffield has been working on the development of these training options, along with partners such as the Alliance for Technology Access. She will work with you to coordinate the selection of workshop leaders and expert consultants.
What Resources Support Your Learning
Participants will be provided with detailed handouts and will find extensive resources to further each topic, on the WestEd website.
What Is the Cost
- A one-hour online workshop can accommodate up to 25 people and costs $500.
- A one-day, on-site presentation of three interactive workshops is $1,500.
- Individual two-hour workshops are $700 each.
Please contact Julie Duffield
for quotes on customized workshops or the online course.
This service is eligible under the Education Technology K-12 Voucher Program.
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