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Cricut in the Math Classroom

Angles, shapes, and geometric patterns galore! We're back again with more activities and lessons for your Cricut! In this session, we'll be exploring different applications for using your Cricut in the math classroom. Hands-on learning in mathematics helps students thrive and enables them to make lasting real-world connections. Get ready to learn about a variety of inspiring ideas from custom manipulatives to creative ways to use the pen tool.

Using Cricut to Support Exceptional Learners

As educators, we are constantly looking for ways to engage our exceptional learners and help them maximize their potential. What happens when you bring your ever-expanding Cricut skills into your bag of tricks? In this course, we'll look at Cricut activities and resources you can use to support your students. Join us in this session for inspiring ideas you can bring back to your classroom today!

Dyslexia and Technology - Using Microsoft Tools in the Classroom

Did you know that in today’s classrooms, it is estimated that one in five students have dyslexia? There are likely far more who have not yet been diagnosed. Join us as we explore the tools in Microsoft Suite that can help educators and families to understand this common learning difference. We will explore these tools so families and teachers can better recognize and support their dyslexic learners, helping them improve their reading and writing comprehension in the process.

Digital Tools to Support Students with Autism

Did you know that April is Autism Acceptance Month? Join us for this session where we take a look at some great digital tools for working with students with autism spectrum disorder. We will discuss why digital tools can be so powerful when working with the autism community. We will also provide some activities, resources, and helpful websites! Of course, we will also explore why STEM and multiple exposures are so crucial for these students. Join us for autism acceptance!

Using Makey Makey to Support Exceptional Learners

There are many benefits of integrating STEM into your curriculum as it can give you the opportunity to make learning fun again for your students. But have you ever wondered how a STEM product, like Makey Makey, can positively affect a class full of exceptional learners? Join us as we explore how Makey Makey can be used to help teach academic content to your students in a tangible, interactive, and hands-on way. Learn how you can support your students as they incorporate Makey Makey into their growing passion for innovation.

Apps to Support the Exceptional Education Setting

This app-centric course will cover a variety of skills and creation-based apps that are useful in any Exceptional Education classroom. In this session, we will not only cover the functionality of the apps, but also best practices to incorporate them effectively with students, like using iPads as a center for assessment or behavior management tool. This session will also reveal some of the best-kept accessibility secrets to help you reach all types of learners.

Tools to Support Center Rotations in the Special Ed Classroom

Are you looking to incorporate center rotations into your classroom? In this session, we will explore the benefits of using centers in your special education class, as well as strategies for getting organized, setting up your centers, and supporting students along the way as they dive into their center activities. We will discuss the importance of creating a schedule for center rotations as well as making sure that your centers are created to set your students up for success in order to meet their learning goals. We will also explore specific center activity ideas for you to try out with your students!

Resources for Autism

Special education can be an extremely fast-paced and rewarding job. Special educators are challenged to think and act quickly as well as be flexible enough to adapt to any situation. Having a set of tools ready to go at any time can be the difference between successful lessons and negative experiences. Join us for this course as we explore some great educator resources for autism spectrum disorder.

Virtual Calming Rooms

Note, this course was previously aired but because of its popularity we are running a recording of this session live at this time. The presenter will not be able to address your questions, but our Professional Development team members will be in the chat box to answer any questions you have. This session can also be found in our Course Library by searching the same title.

In times of stress, it is important to have outlets and coping strategies. This is often managed with calming techniques, mindfulness, and dedicated spaces for relaxation. What happens if your students are not physically present in school? In this course, we will go over how to offer social and emotional support and build emotional management skills in your students, whether you are teaching traditionally, hybrid, or remote. Digital calming spaces can be a great resource for students of all ages.

College and Career Readiness for Special Needs Students

As special education teachers, we are equally as responsible as our general education colleagues for addressing college and career readiness in our students. Lessons learned in grades K-12 will pave the way for our students, and we should strive to enable our students to show good decision making skills and transition smoothly to life after graduation. Join us for this session as we share strategies for helping students with special needs, and their parents, to identify a path that will lead to greater success in high school and beyond!

IEP/504 Accommodations

Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 plans are instrumental tools in getting formal help for students in K-12 education with learning and attention issues. While they both focus on giving all students equal opportunities to learn, they are used for different reasons. IEPs are for special education and 504 plans are for physical access to learning. Join us as we go over these differences in depth and give you strategies to help you meet every student's needs according to their plans.

Making Your Token Economy Digital

Are you looking to incorporate a token economy into your classroom? A token economy is a Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support (PBIS) system used to quickly award points and recognize students for meeting goals. While the idea of giving a student a reward for reaching a goal hasn't changed, the structure of keeping track of these rewards and distributing them has. In this session, we will explore strategies for shifting from physical tokens to creating your own digital token economy. We will also dive into the benefits of tracking points, as well as ideas for prizes. Join us to learn more about transforming your token economy!

Assistive Technology (AT) Resources

Teaching students with physical, cognitive, or learning disabilities can be a demanding but rewarding job. Teachers need to think about all possible adjustments and supports that will help these students in the school (and post-school) environment. Having a set of tools ready to go at any time can be the difference between successful lessons and negative experiences. Join us as we explore some great resources for working with students who require assistive technology!

Morning Meeting with Lumio

A morning meeting that goes over the calendar and class schedule has always been a staple in primary classrooms as a way to set the tone for the day. What if you could incorporate technology into your morning meetings? How about leveraging them as a way to engage students and bolster your classroom community, even when students can’t be present in the physical classroom? Join us as we explore how to use Lumio to transform your morning meeting activities!

Creating Schedules for Students with Special Needs

It's the beginning of the school year! We want to start our students off on the right foot, but how do we ensure that they get the best possible start? For many students, organization and having a schedule to follow can mean a more focused and productive day. In this course, we will take a look at how to create, distribute, and keep schedules for special needs students. We will go over tools, tips, and tricks for creating and maintaining consistency to help you and your students start the school year right.

Using Screencastify to Provide Special Ed Accommodations

Teachers now know a lot more about remote learning and have a pretty good idea of what works and what doesn't. However, you may still be struggling with figuring out how to make your assessments more reliable and accessible for your Special Education students. In this course, we'll cover how programs like Screencastify can help you provide Special Education accommodations — such as the “test-read” option — even when students are not learning in a face-to-face setting.

MC: Assistive Technology Certification Session 13- Final Assignment

Congratulations! You have made it to the last session in our Assistive Technology certification series. You are one assignment away from earning your certificate! In this session, we'll provide you with an example final assignment and a detailed look at the rubric that will be used to grade your submission.

MC: Assistive Technology Certification Session 12- Future Innovations in AT

With all of the advances in technology each day, Assistive Technology is no exception. In recent years, calculators, high-def electronic glasses, and smartpens– to name a few, have made their appearance in the AT world. In Session 12 of our AT certification, we will explore the innovation that has been directed toward addressing students with special needs.

MC: Assistive Technology Certification Session 11- Equity & Ethical Concerns

When it comes to Assistive Technology, it's important to consider appropriate funding and sources. In session 11, we will review and discuss equity and ethical concerns and the impact on our students. We'll also explore federal assistance programs in relation to AT and how to best share this information with other members of our school.

MC: Assistive Technology Certification Session 10- Assessing Needs & Technologies

Join us for Session 10 of our Assistive Technology certification to learn about assessing need, IEPs, and more. When it comes to AT, there are many working parts. These can include determining who will join discussions and serve on the child-study team, routine opportunities to meet and analyze the need for AT in different areas like handwriting, communication, recreation, and self-care to name a few. As well as selecting a designee (usually the Special Education teacher) who will illustrate the need for AT in the IEP document itself. Don't miss out!

MC: Assistive Technology Certification Session 9- Evaluation of AT

Assistive Technology in education is about much more than selecting and implementing the specific tool or device. Beyond the preliminary assessment to ensure a “match” between the students' abilities and the features of a device, comes the ongoing monitoring to make sure the tool is achieving its intended purpose. Join us in Session 9 to explore plans for evaluating Assistive Technology.

MC: Assistive Technology Certification Session 8- Software & Internet Accessibility

There are a number of software solutions that fall under the Assistive Technology umbrella. In addition, accessibility features such as screen readers, magnification, and alternative input software help individuals with disabilities with daily assignments in the classroom. In Session 8 of our AT certification, we will explore some of the software and accessibility supports out there to help students with mild to significant physical, cognitive, and sensory disabilities.

MC: Assistive Technology Certification Session 7- Hardware & Telecommunications

Did you know that Assistive Technology is any piece of equipment that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a person with a disability? In Session 7 of our AT certification, we will explore examples from low-tech AT such as communication boards made of cardboard or fuzzy felt to high-tech AT including special-purpose computers.

MC: Assistive Technology Certification Session 6- AT in Different Environments

Assistive Technology is used widely in school settings but also prevalent in other environments such as the home, workplace, and various locations in the community. Devices like hearing aids, wheelchairs, and braille systems are just some examples of AT equipment that are geared towards improving the everyday life of people with disabilities. In session 6, we will explore the use of AT devices in various settings outside of the classroom.

MC: Assistive Technology Certification Session 5- Designing Effective Learning Solutions

The Universal Design for Learning aims to eliminate or reduce barriers to academic success. In session 5, we will explore learning solutions and how to design and implement the most effective lessons for our students. In addition, we will discuss the importance of UDL and its place in the educational setting. We'll also explore how to best incorporate Assistive Technology into daily lessons in order to create the most meaningful learning experiences.