Assistive Technology Professional Learning Opportunities
National Presenter Series 2023—2024
The Arizona Department of Education/Exceptional Student Services/Assistive Technology Team is pleased to announce the next in our 2023-24 National Presenters series, “Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP)” with Janie Cirlot-New, M.S., CCC-SLP. Prentke-Romich Company’s language systems and devices will be used to illustrate treatment components; however, LAMP principles can be applied to any AAC devices or system. This is an in-person training designed for special education teachers, staff, and related service providers who currently work with students using Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) and for those who wish to learn more about LAMP.
This event is sponsored by the Arizona Department of Education/Exceptional Student Services.
About Janie Cirlot-New
Janie Cirlot-New is a speech-language pathologist and provides trainings for The Center for AAC and Autism. She has worked in the field of AAC for over 35 years and has a special interest in children with autism and other disabilities who are nonspeaking. Janie has taught assistive technology classes at Mississippi State University and AAC classes at Mississippi University for Women and the University of Southern Mississippi.
Workshop Description
LAMP is an AAC approach designed to give individuals who are nonverbal a method of independently and spontaneously expressing themselves through a speech-generating device. This course will cover the components of LAMP: readiness to learn, engaging the learner through joint engagement, and learning language through a unique and consistent motor plan paired with an auditory signal and a natural consequence. Discussion will include how this approach addresses the core language deficits of autism, device features that are beneficial to teaching language, and how to use those features to implement LAMP components. Videos will be used to illustrate the treatment components.
Please use the link in the table below to register for one of the sessions offered in your area. All sessions will cover the same content. You do not need to register more than once.
Tucson Session
Date: Tuesday, April 23, 2024 Time: 8:30 a.m.−3:30 p.m. (Seats are limited; register now!) Fee: Free (lunch on your own) Where: Palo Verde High School in the Cyber Cafe Address: 1302 S. Avenida Vega, Tucson, AZ 85710
Date: Thursday, April 25, 2024 Time: 8:30 a.m.−3:30 p.m. (Seats are limited; register now!) Fee: Free (lunch on your own) Where: Arizona K12 Center Address: 99 E. Virginia Avenue, Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Date: Friday, April 26, 2024 Time: 8:30 a.m.−3:30 p.m. (Seats are limited; register now!) Fee: Free (lunch on your own) Where: Mesa Public Schools Student Service Center Address: 1025 N. Country Club Dr., Mesa, AZ 85201
If you have questions regarding this training, please email our AT inbox.
The ADE/ESS/Assistive Technology team is excited to announce the last in our series of 2023–24 National Presenters: “Artificial Sweeteners: AI for Teachers and Everyone Else, Too!” with Tony Vincent. This presentation is designed for general and special education teachers and related service providers.
About Tony Vincent
Tony Vincent started out teaching fifth grade in Omaha 25 years ago. Several years later, he took on the role of his school's technology coach. Eventually, he left school teaching to be a self-employed consultant, sharing friendly ways for teachers to reach, empower, and inspire their students. Tony is a prolific sharer, approachable, and he consistently selects practical tools and strategies that can be implemented right away. Tony went back to teaching for the 2018–2019 school year, where his fifth graders became Chromebook superusers and creative communicators. Tony posts lots of handy tech tips on social media, and he hosts a series of digital drawing challenges for kids called Shapegrams. Most importantly, Tony is the father of 11-year-old twins.
Workshop Description
Teachers and therapists across all grade levels can sweeten their lessons with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI). A growing number of websites offer AI-powered tools for lesson planning, differentiating, communicating, and assessing. AI is an exceptional brainstorming partner, and, when combined with a teacher's expertise, can produce delightful content, engaging activities, and instructional resources. We will explore free tools for crafting clever learning activities, developing thoughtful questions, authoring relevant story problems, reinforcing vocabulary, differentiating instruction, and generating rubrics. While the intelligence may be artificial, the results are real. Bring your laptop because you will be putting AI to use during this workshop. This workshop is appropriate for general and special education teachers and or related service providers.
Session
Date: Friday, May 3, 2024 Time: 8:30 a.m.−3:30 p.m. Fee: Free (lunch on your own) Where: Rio Vista Recreation Center (Lakeview room) Address: 8866 W Thunderbird Ave., Peoria AZ 85381
If you have questions regarding this training, please email our AT inbox.
Assistive Technology— Just One Thing (JOT)
Overwhelmed by PD? Don’t have time for a 90-minute webinar? We got you!
Please join the Arizona Department of Education/Exceptional Student Services/Assistive Technology Team for our series titled “Assistive Technology: Just One Thing” (JOT).
These fast, 30-minute sessions will showcase just one organizational or assistive technology tool or strategy that you can use in your classroom or teacher/therapist life. Are mornings or afternoons better for you? No worries—each JOT will be presented on Wednesdays at lunchtime and after school. Choose the time that works for you. Please see the details below for the next JOT session(s).
SnapType Pro 2 is the updated version of the original SnapType app. It continues to be a simple to use app that allows students to complete any school worksheet on their iPad or tablet without handwriting. It is for students of all ages who may have difficulty with traditional pen and paper handwriting tasks. Students can complete forms and worksheets by using their device’s keyboard features to add text to documents and print, email, or share. SnapType Pro 2 expands on those features with additions that include text-to-speech, templates for creating new worksheets, and the ability to import from Google drive. Come to this session to learn about the classic features and the expansion of this amazing app.
We are thrilled to announce the inaugural training sessions for the Special Education Data Dashboard (SEDD) hosted by the Exceptional Student Services Data Management team. These training sessions include both an in-person workshop and a live webinar.
Teach Camp registration is filling up fast! It is hard to believe that this summer, we will launch Teach Camp for the fifth year! Teach Camp provides professional learning and supports that are specifically designed for beginning special education teachers.