SPE01 is FULL and additional session has been added SPE01A-August 16 at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary.

Please NOTE LOCATION FOR SESSIONS:  SPE01 AND SPE08

SPE01   An Overview of Assistive Technology in Dufferin-Peel                      FULL              NEW

Peter Atkinson and Kathy Wilkinson-McGuire

Thursday, August 25, 2011

All                                                                                             Location:  GOOD SHEPHERD

Looking for some help with the Spec Ed computer?  Don’t know where to start?  This session is designed for those looking for an introduction to the DPCDSB Special Education Assistive Technology Suite computer. Participants will receive an overview of the assistive technology software (Kurzweil, Inspiration, TextHELP, Dragon Naturally Speaking, etc.). We’ll also review how to manage student logins and how to access technical support. Come get your feet wet! Both Windows and Mac software will be available to explore.

SPE02   Comprehensive Kurzweil 3000 v12

Peter Atkinson and Kathy Wilkinson-McGuire

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

All

Kurzweil 3000 text-to-speech software is designed to support the literacy needs of many students with diverse learning needs allowing for greater independence in accessing curriculum. This session will allow participants to learn how to create and edit Kurzweil files as well as where to access files already created for use in Ontario schools. Writing supports including word prediction and speak-as-typing will be explored. We will also investigate study skill tools, test-taking strategies and the creation of mp3 audio files.  This session will be presented on Windows computers.

SPE03   Game On!  Teaching and Learning through Video Games with Clicker 5                   NEW

Jennifer Poirier and Terry Poirier

Thursday, August 25, 2011

All

This session will demonstrate the possibilities of using video and multi-media technologies within an accessible Clicker 5 environment to engage reluctant learners in multiple subject areas. Using popular gaming technologies from Play Station 3, through video editing, and multimedia embedding, both instruction and learning are accommodated for the hardest to motivate.  This demonstration focuses on engaging students learning, by providing ways of using out of school literacies such as sports related video game environments to, motivate and accommodate our students to be successful readers and writers. The basis for this presentation is founded on research in the areas of multimodal instruction and gaming literacy.  Using Clicker 5, an Ontario Ministry of Education licensed software, as well as Microsoft PowerPoint; this presentation will show through examples how to amplify the instruction approaches through Universal Design for learning approaches.

SPE04   Is it Behaviour or Mental Health?  Classroom Strategies for Challenging Behaviours    NEW

 Debra Lean

Tuesday, August 16 and Wednesday, August 17, 2011

All

The success of most strategies to address challenging behaviours in the classroom depends on whether the educator is dealing with a basic behavioural problem or intense symptoms of a mental health issue such as anxiety, conduct disorder or depression.  Participants will learn how to differentiate between basic behaviour and mental health issues.  Descriptions, as well as strategies, specific to both types of challenging behaviours will be discussed.  Classroom strategies will be learned through video presentations and examples and interactive participant input.

SPE05   Practical Strategies:  The Social, Emotional and Academic Needs of Students with Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism

Richard Gough and Heather Kidd

Thursday, August 25, 2011

All

This session will assist school staff in developing a clear understanding of the social and emotional needs of students with Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism, exploring: i) the overall profile of learners with Asperger Syndrome and those considered to have High Functioning Autism; ii) the social and emotional issues that these students face, and some of the underlying causes for these issues; iii) effective strategies that assist in addressing these social and emotional issues.

SPE06   SMARTer Goals                                                                                 NEW

Cynthia Creary and Richard Gough

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Teachers, SERTS, CYWs, Administrators

This session will assist educators in developing a clear understanding of the strengths and needs of students with diverse learning needs in terms of their level of independence.  This session will explore: i) using data collection as a way to develop a baseline of skills and behaviour; ii) identifying priority areas that lead to the next steps in developing the student’s independence; iii) the development of SMART goals; iv) how to use data to track progress once goals and strategies have been set.

SPE07   Taking Clicker 5 into the Classroom

Diana Lockett, Jennifer Poirier and Terry Poirier

Thursday, August 18 and Friday, August 19, 2011

All

Clicker 5 is an exciting literacy and multimedia tool that is on our standard suites.  Come and learn how to navigate this program and support differentiated instruction for your students.  Curriculum material will be created and distributed.  This session will provide a sound foundation to use Clicker 5 for literacy and multiple subject area goals.  We will also highlight the features within Clicker 5 that make it a superior classroom instructional tool.  Day one will provide an introduction to the features of the software and an exploration of the examples and ready made curriculum provided.  Day two will provide advanced application, highlighting the multimedia and accommodation features that will allow participants to create their own material for the upcoming school year.  Participants will leave with a CD of their creations to share with colleagues and to use with students.

SPE08   TextHELP Read and Write Gold                                                                  NEW

Peter Atkinson and Kathy Wilkinson-McGuire

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

All                                                                                          Location:  GOOD SHEPHERD

Available to all students in Dufferin-Peel, TextHELP Read and Write Gold is a literacy support that empowers students to complete reading, writing and test-taking tasks independently. While similar in intent to Kurzweil, TextHELP’s student-friendly toolbar integrates with more familiar applications such as Microsoft Word and Internet Explorer/Safari.  You will learn to use the various features of TextHELP and discover how the application may assist in differentiating instruction to meet the needs of all learners in the classroom.

SPE09   The Role of the Classroom Teacher in Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners

Cherie Rahkola

Tuesday, August 16 and Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Elementary

In this session, we will explore the essential elements of Draft Learning for All and how they impact the elementary classroom in meeting the needs of diverse learners.  The concepts of Universal Design for Learning, differentiated instruction and learner profiles, including but not exclusive to the Ministry Category of Exceptionalities, will be the focus of discussion an interactive activities.  We will also focus on the components of an Individual Education Plan through an interactive hands-on session where participants will get an opportunity to ‘walk through’ the development of an IEP.