Professional Development Guide
Please scan through the guide for offerings. Whether you are looking for ideas for a whole school corporation or one student, we have the support you need. We will be happy to design a training for you. To set up a no-cost training, please complete the IDOE Technical Assistance Request Form.
Note: The 30-60 minute trainings are typically an introduction to the topic. However, more in-depth trainings, up to 7 hours in length, can be tailored to your specific needs upon request. Longer trainings explore deeper into the content, provide more opportunity for practice, questions, feedback, and customization to your school.
Printable Professional Development Guide
AAC in the Classroom with Jessica Conrad (1-7 hours)
Keywords: AAC, Augmentative & Alternative Communication, Literacy, Preschool-12+
Target Audience: Anyone on a team supporting a student with AAC, Preschool-12
Description: This session will focus on a simple framework for students who struggle to understand and be understood, including Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tools and techniques and visual supports for learning, play, and more. Participants will walk away with easy implementable skills to support classroom routines, new skills, and behaviors.
Access for All Young Learners with Jessica Conrad (1-7 hours)
Keywords: Preschool, Early Education, Primary Life Skills
Target Audience: All General and Special Education Teachers, Therapists, Paraprofessionals, and/or Administrators serving students ages 3-10
Description: Designed specifically for teachers, therapists, assistants, and administrators working with young students ages 3-10, this hands-on seminar will explore the newest and best technology and tools to support all learners in early literacy, communication, mathematics, social skills and more. This seminar will have a particular focus on supporting students who are non-verbal or children who benefit from visual supports for language, behavior, and literacy. We will end our time playing with free or nearly free and easy ideas to make your instruction more accessible to every learner.
AT Solutions on the Go with David Jackson (1 hour)
Keywords: AAC, Augmentative & Alternative Communication, Literacy, Preschool-12+, make
Target Audience: Anyone on a team supporting a student with AAC needs, Preschool-12
Description: Mounts, Plastics,3D Printing, Tablet Stands, Accessibility Ideas and More. Learn inexpensive and easy to use solutions to help your students succeed in the classroom and improve access to communication. Lots of demonstrations on how to make and adapt solutions for Optical Character Recognition (OCR), iPad stand, slant boards, eyegaze, PODD, and more! Readily available at your local hardware store, election signs, PVC, CPVC, some tools and you are in business! Detailed instructions will be provided.
Built in Accessibility for students with Blindness and Low Vision: Choose your platform with Bev Sharritt (1-3 hours)
Keywords: Blindness, Low Vision, Chromebook Accessibility, Windows Accessibility, Apple Accessibility
Target Audience: Blind/Low Vision (BLV) Educators and/or Administrators
Description: This training will lead you to the accessibility features built-in to your Chromebook, iPad, or laptop for blindness and low vision . Are you in a district that has multiple platforms? The training will be tailored to your needs.
Captions for All: The Writing's on the Wall with Jena Fahlbush and Katie Taylor (1 hour)
Keywords: Captions, Literacy, Preschool-12+, UDL, Universal Design for Learning
Target Audience: All General and Special Education Teachers, Therapists, and/or Administrators
Description: Through demonstrations and tool exploration, you will learn how to implement the use of captions in your classroom as you facilitate each of the UDL guidelines - engagement, representation, and action and expression. Come with questions and leave with the tools needed for captioned access in your classroom tomorrow.
Choose Your Own Adventure: A Mix and Match of Strategies, Tools, and Tracking for Specific Learning Disabilities/Differences with Amanda Crecelius & Amanda Brown (Varies)
Keywords: K-12, Specific Learning Disabilities/Differences
Target Audience: All General and Special Education Teachers, Therapists, and/or Administrators
Description: Interactive and collaborative session in which participants will be presented with a variety of strategies, supportive tools, and methods for monitoring for students with Specific Learning Disabilities/Differences. In small groups/pairs, participants will be provided scenarios based on each category under the SLD Eligibility. Participants will utilize materials presented to “choose their own adventure” in regards to what might work for each scenario presented. Participants will leave the session with implementation ideas for strategies, tools, and monitoring methods that could be applied in their classrooms. (Specific tools to be added)
Choosing a Braille Display: Student-Centered Literacy with Bev Sharritt (1 hour)
Keywords: Braille, Refreshable Braille Display, Literacy
Target Audience: Blind/Low Vision (BLV) Educators and/or Administrators
Description: Choosing a Braille display: student-centered literacy. Are you considering the purchase of a refreshable Braille display? This training will cover factors to consider, and important questions to ask, and then strategies for developing an effective device trial.
Chromebook/Google Tablet Accessibility with Katie Taylor and/or Amanda Brown (1-2 hours)
Keywords: Accessibility, Accessible Educational Materials, Assistive Technology, Google/Chrome, Universal Design
Target Audience: All General and Special Education Teachers, Administrators, and/or Paraprofessionals
Description: Training on accessibility features of the Chromebook and/or Google Tablet, like dictation, text-to-speech, enlarged cursor, a library for shortcut keys, and more. This is designed to help educators locate, activate, and understand the use of accessibility features of the Chromebook. There will be some extra extension features and accessibility tips for non-Chromebook users and fun teacher extensions to help build relationships with students in a virtual world. Each feature, app, and/or extension supports the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework by encouraging multiple means of engagement during online lessons or as students work independently in and outside of the classroom.
Design with the Right Tools - Mystery Tech Challenge with All Specialists (Varies)
Keywords: Accessibility, Accessible Educational Materials, Universal Design for Learning
Target Audience: All Educators, Administrators, and Paraprofessionals
Description: Creating an engaging classroom including multiple means for expression and reception can be fun and exciting! Come learn about new pieces of educational technology in this hands-on exploration session! No experience is needed and open minds are welcome! In this interactive session, participants will explore various assistive technology tools and learn about best practice use and assessment. This session will address assistive technology within universally designed educational environments with practical suggestions across the community, school, and home.
Desmos Accessibility for Students with Blindness and Low Vision with Bev Sharritt (1.5 hours)
Keywords: Blindness, Low Vision, Desmos, Math Instruction, Online Calculators, Accessible Calculators
Target Audience: Blind/Low Vision (BLV) Educators and/or Administrators
Description: The Desmos suite of math tools was designed from the ground up to be accessible for students with blindness and low vision. The Desmos calculators will be the online tools available for the new ILEARN Test beginning 2019. This training will help you prepare your students to access the calculators and customize accessibility to enhance their daily math instruction.
DHH in the UDL World (Deaf/Hard of Hearing in the Universal Design for the Learning World) with Katie Taylor (1 hour)
Keywords: Universal Design for Learning, UDL, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, DHH
Target Audience: Special Education Teachers, General Education Teachers, Teachers of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Description: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a way to make sure ALL of our students have access to grade level curriculum. In this webinar, we will take a look at Universal Design for Learning and considerations for our students who are deaf/hard of hearing in your classroom.
DRM: What Is It and How Do I Become One? with Martha Hammond (1 hour)
Keywords: Accessible Education Materials (AEM)
Target Audience: All General and Special Education Teachers, Administrators; anyone seeking an overview of the rights and responsibilities of a Digital Rights Manager.
Description: This training will explain the tasks required of a Digital Rights Manager (DRM), and the role of the ICAM (Indiana Center for Accessible Materials) in acquiring AEM (Accessible Educational Materials) for students with documented print disabilities.
ELLevating ALL: Overlapping Strategies for ELL and Students with SLD with Amanda Crecelius (1-3 hours)
Keywords: Accessibility, Accessible Educational Materials, Universal Design, ELL, ELL with Disabilities, PreK-12
Target Audience: All General and Special Education Teachers, Administrators, and/or Paraprofessionals
Description: This training will provide resources and tools for English Language Learners (ELLs) and/or students with Specific Learning Difference (SLD), including dyslexia. This is an overview of overlapping strategies for promoting literacy for ELLs and students with SLD with a focus on how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to eliminate barriers for ELLs/students with SLD and all students. Tools and strategies are linked to the Science of Reading. Both low tech and high tech options are presented to help provide flexibility to reflect a UDL approach to meet the needs of ALL the students in the classroom (virtual, hybrid, or in-person).
ICAM Digital Files: Delivery and what to do once you receive them! with Jeff Bond (1 hour)
Keywords: Accessible Education Materials (AEM)
Target Audience: All General and Special Education Teachers, Administrators, DRM's (Digital Rights Managers)
Description: The order has been processed and the DRM has received notification, what is next? This training will demonstrate how the particular digital file ordered will be delivered and accessed by the student.
ICAM Ordering - Answers and Problem Solving with Sandy Stabenfeldt (1 hour)
Keywords: Accessible Education Materials (AEM)
Target Audience: All General and Special Education Teachers, Administrators, DRM's (Digital Rights Managers)
Description: You have become a DRM, now it is time to order. This training will guide you through the ordering process and solve any problems you might encounter.
New School Year, New Student: Prepping for Your New Student Who is Deaf/Hard of Hearing with Katie Taylor (1-3 hour)
Keywords: FM/DM Systems, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Inclusion Classroom, General Education, Communication, Language, Hearing Loss
Target Audience: General Education Teachers, Special Education Teachers
Description: A new school year brings many new students with amazing gifts to your classroom. This presentation will focus on considerations you may need in planning for a student who has hearing loss coming to your classroom. Topics will include fm/dm systems, classroom acoustics, communication considerations and possible accommodations.
No More Missing Work: Enhancing Digital Accessibility to Drive Engagement & Assignment Submission in Your Learning Management System (LMS) with Jena Fahlbush (1-2 hours)
Keywords: Accessible Content Authoring, PDF & Document Accessibility, Website Accessibility, Assistive Technology, Universal Design, Canvas, Schoology
Target Audience: Administrators, IT Personnel, Educators, or anyone that adds content to your site
Description: This session will focus on optimizing student assignment organization and submission rates by leveraging the usability and digital accessibility features of your learning management system (LMS) such as Canvas or Schoology. Together, we will explore essential design elements, strategies, and tools to proactively empower students to easily engage with and submit their work. Attendees will walk away with use-it-tomorrow ideas!
Supporting Positive Behaviors for Students with Autism with Jena Fahlbush (1 hour)
Keywords: Autism, Assistive Technology, Universal Design for Learning
Target Audience: All General and Special Education Teachers, Related Service Providers, Paraprofessionals, and/or Administrators
Description: Creating structure in your classroom environment through physical design, routines, visuals, positive feedback, reinforcement, and assistive technology can support positive behaviors for all students, especially students with autism. In this session, we'll explore ways to engage your students with autism through the structure of your space and instruction using the principles of Universal Design for Learning. Attendees will leave with use-it-tomorrow ideas for improving student behavior and access to learning!
Switches and Recipes for Literacy, AAC, Apps & Games with David Jackson (1-3 hours)
Keywords: AAC, Augmentative & Alternative Communication, Literacy, Preschool-12+, Orthopedic, Switches, iOS, WIN, Chromebook
Target Audience: Anyone on a team supporting a student with AAC needs, Preschool-12
Description: There's an app for that! Over this series of H-Appy Hour webinars, a variety of app categories will be shared. Today's training will be all about apps that can be used with switches, recipes or Head Control. This training will demonstrate how to connect a mouse, switch, create a recipe and how to use head control. These options will enable students to access, communicate and engage using iOS devices. These solutions apply primarily for iOS apps but some can be used on WIN, MAC and Chromebook.
What the HAT?! (Hearing Assistive Technology) with Katie Taylor (1-3 hours)
Keywords: Hearing Assistive Technology, Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Target Audience: Special Education Teachers, General Education Teachers, Teachers of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Description: Looking into what’s new in Hearing Assistive Technology for our students who are deaf/hard of hearing. We will take time discussing a few tricks and tips regarding digital modulated (DM), hearing assistive technology (HAT) and troubleshooting in the classroom.
What the Tech? Transition Edition with Amanda Crecelius (1-2 hours)
Keywords: Middle School, High School Students, Transitioning Students
Target Audience: Middle School/High School Educators, Transition Coordinators
Description: Preparing students for the world beyond high school starts as early as middle school. Students currently utilize supportive technology in the classroom but will those same tools help them in college, in the workplace, in their daily lives? Trialing tools and finding what can support students in the classroom and preparing them for challenges that they may face in the future can start now! The PATINS Project offers consultation support to brainstorm the student’s strengths, their environments/situations, tasks & goals, and helps to connect those key factors to tools in our lending library using the SETT model. In this session we will discuss a proactive approach to preparing students for the future by SETT-ing them up with the Top Ten What the Tech Tools for transitioning students available in our Lending Library. Educators will leave the session knowing what the tech is available and a student's needs first approach to finding tools that fit transition goals.
