Region 7
Assistive Technology Center

Accessibility Tips Using MS Word 2003
September 18, 2008
8:00-3:00
This training will allow teachers to increase literacy through the use of Microsoft Word 2003. It will teach participants how to edit toolbars, get a word count, create tables and forms, and use the auto correct features of MS Word to support student writing. They will also learn about a feature that allows MS Word to talk and highlight the spoken word. CLUs will be issued.

Support for the Struggling Writer
September 30, 2008
8:00-11:00
Many students struggle with the writing process.  This day will be dedicated to the hands-on exploration of mid and high tech options to assist these students.  Spend the day with us and let us help you help your students increase their writing confidence and reduce the frustration of traditional pen and paper writing assignments.  CLUs will be issued.

Support for the Struggling Reader
September 30, 2008
12:00-3:00
Increase your students’ willingness to read by incorporating high tech options to reduce the stress of comprehension. This training will focus on the use of software and alternate techniques for students to increase reading comprehension.  CLUs will be issued.

Beginning Boardmaker 6.0
October 9, 2008
8:00-3:00
This training will teach participants how to incorporate Boardmaker 6.0 into their daily activities.  Features of this program include a symbolate tool, which allows the user to type and the appropriate symbol appears above each word, a movable button tool, an align and center tool, as well as new drag and drop features. This makes creating activities for students a breeze. Participants will have an opportunity to create communication boards, schedules, worksheets and adapted books to take and use with their students. CLUs will be issued.

Adapting Novels
October 14, 2008
8:00-3:00
The importance of allowing lower functioning students to participate in the same activities as their higher functioning peers is becoming more and more of a challenge.  Spend this day exploring ways to adapt age appropriate novels for students who are functioning below grade level.  CLUs will be issued.

Data and Student Tracking Techniques
October 16, 2008
3:30-5:30
The use of pen and paper for record keeping has been lost in the ever growing world of technology.  Learn to effectively and efficiently track services and student progress using multiple methods other than traditional methods used by those who taught in the pre-technology era.  CLUs will be issued.

Increasing Literacy Using Computer Software
October 23, 2008
3:30-5:30
As available software increases so does the use of it in the classroom.  During this session we will explore different programs that can be used with your students to increase their literacy skills.  CLUs will be issued

Tools for Written Communication
October 29, 2008
8:00-11:00 & 12:00-3:00
Incorporating ‘Handwriting Without Tears’ materials and years of experience, this training will instruct and demonstrate hands-on learning opportunities designed to address writing challenges. CLUs will be issued.

Boardmaker Make-n-Take
October 30, 2008
8:00-3:00
This time will be used to explore the more in-depth features of Boardmaker as well as creating activities for use in your classroom.  This training is for the more experienced Boardmaker user.  CLUs will be issued. 

PowerPoint 2003- More Than Just a Presentation
November 11, 2008        and   November 18, 2008
8:00-3:00                 3:30-5:30
PowerPoint 2003 offers more to the classroom than a slideshow. Participants will create e-books and popular game show quizzes as well as basic math operation tables to take back and use in the classroom.  Attendance to both days of the training is required for CLU’s to be awarded. 

Balanced Literacy
November 13, 2008
3:00-5:00
  Researched-based supplemental literacy instruction for early readers. K-2 Cognitive level; for students in special education, regular education, ELL, and inclusion classes, RtI! Designed by experts in literacy and special education providing a sequential, balanced approach to early literacy instruction that integrates: guided reading, supported writing, word study, phonics activities, multi-sensory reinforcement, extensive practice.Engaging for young learners with nine units, built around animal themes with high-quality graphics and songs.  Students are engaged in a year-long interactive multimedia ;program that supports language arts curriculum.  They give students the motivation, practice, and multi-sensory reinforcement needed to become successful readers. All learning objectives and lesson planning is included with the program as well has additional in-class and homework activities. Correlated to: NETS standards for students (ISTE Standards), TESOL (ESL), and ELA standards for selected states.

Successfully Using Intellikeys and Overlay Maker
December 1, 2008
8:00-3:00
Participants will learn the power of Intellikeys and Overlay maker.  This device can provide access and many curriculum related and leisure activities for students who cannot access a typical keyboard. 

Adapting Literacy Activities Make-n-Take
December 11, 2008
3:30-5:30
Yea, a make-and-take!!  During this full day training we will be adapting activities as well as books to allow all students access to literacy materials.  We will not only be covering topics for the lower grades but also topics of interest for the upper grades.  Participants will leave with many ideas and creations to take back to their classroom.  CLUs will be given.

4 the Love of Intellitools
January 13, 2009
3:30-5:30
Using Intellitools Classroom Suite 4, you can adapt and create activities to use in the classroom.  These activities range from math, science, and social studies to literacy and life skills.  This new version of well known software will win you over with its extremely low learning curve.  If you have tried to use Intellitools in the past and have been unsuccessful, now is the perfect time to give it a second try.  CLUs will be issued.

Increasing Literacy with Kurzweil
January 21, 2009
1200-3:00
This training will provide classroom teachers with an understanding of Kurzweil enabling the teacher to provide differentiated instruction without having to sacrifice the curriculum. CLUs will be issued.

Access to Math
January 29, 2009
3:30-5:30
This afternoon will be spent exploring resources that assist students in the middle and secondary math classrooms. Free internet resources and low tech AT strategies will enable the high-incidence student.  CLUs will be issued.

Accessibility Tips Using MS Word 07
February 10, 2009
8:00-3:00
This training will allow teachers to increase literacy through the use of Microsoft Word 2007. We will teach participants how to edit toolbars, auto summarize, get a word count, create tables and forms, and use the auto correct features of MS Word to support student writing. They will also learn about a new add on feature that allows MS Word to speak and highlight the spoken word. CLUs will be issued.

Inspire Your Writers
February 26, 2009
3:30-5:30
This training will focus on the beginning steps of the writing process, i.e. outlining and webbing, by using Inspiration to facilitate the organization of thoughts.  Inspiration is useful for all grades but is recommended for the middle to upper grades.  CLUs will be issued.

An Inside Look at News-2-You
March 5, 2009
3:30-5:30
News-2-You?  This on-line newspaper brings current events along with activities to lower cognitive level students.  This discussion will focus on how to include weekly topics of interest to the student into literacy and math activities using this low cost resource. CLUs will be issued.

 Access on a Budget
March 19, 2009
3:30-5:30
Participants will be shown how and where to get various tools that are free, or inexpensive, to use with their students.  We have definitely found some wonderful resources that cover everything from text-to-speech to math and art and everything in between. 

Low Tech Tools Make-n-Take
April 22, 2009
8:00-3:00
Join us this day in not only creating activities but learning how to use them in your classroom. We will network with other teachers about techniques and activities that work in the classroom.  We will be creating activities across the curriculum as well as for behavior modification.  CLUs will be issued.

PowerPoint 2007- More Than Just a Presentation
April 29, 2009            and   May 6, 2009
8:00-3:00                        3:00-5:00
PowerPoint 2007 offers more to the classroom than a slideshow. Participants will create e-books and popular game show quizzes as well as basic math operation tables to take back and use in the classroom.  Attendance to both days of the training is required for CLU’s to be awarded. 

Region 7 AT Summer Camp
June 8-12, 2009
12:00-3:00
Don’t miss out on this summer camp composed of almost every aspect of AT you can think of. During this make-and-take style training, time will be dedicated to literacy and making it accessible, using multimedia in the classroom, adapting math lessons to the learner and different learning styles, even some science and social studies.  We will also touch on behavior and ways to deter unwanted behavior.  Participants will walk away with many useful resources and activities. Sign up for the days you are interested in. CLUs will be issued.