AT Classes and Events - 2018

Less Struggle, More Success: AT Solutions for the 1 in 5 Students with Learning and Attention Challenges (AzTAP Pre-conference session)

An estimated 1 in 5 students have learning and attention issues: brain-based difficulties with reading, writing, math, organization, focus, listening comprehension, and/or motor skills. However, only about one third of these students are formally identified with Specific Learning Disabilities or attention issues and receive accommodations or services (IEPs, 504 plans). The others often struggle, may be mislabeled (lazy, unmotivated), and may develop secondary issues as a result (anxiety, depression, social problems, resistance to school).

This workshop will focus on technologies and associated strategies to help the “1 in 5” population perform closer to their potential, regardless of whether or not they have been formally identified. Starting with her own unique approach to Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Assistive Technology Consultant Shelley Haven will show education professionals how to build effective AT solutions into the curricula for students with specific learning disabilities, attention deficits, and executive function challenges.

Through lecture, demonstrations, and some light hands-on activities, attendees will learn how various technology features (capabilities) address a wide range of academic functional limitations, and why effective AT solutions comprise not just tools, but also proper selection, training, application strategies, evaluating effectiveness, planning, and provision of accessible materials. 

This workshop will focus on tools and strategies for students in grades 3 through college (those “reading to learn” vs. “learning to read”).

Learning Outcomes:

• Identify technology features (capabilities) that address functional limitations in reading, writing, math, notetaking, attention, organization, planning, and memory
• Explain why Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) are important for students with learning differences
• Provide examples for each component of an “AT solution” for selected academic tasks

Date: Sunday, July 8, 2018

Time: 9:00am to 4:00pm (6 hours, plus lunch)

Location: We-Ko-PA Resort and Conference Center (Scottsdale/Fountain Hills, AZ)

Cost: AzTAP Conference registration required

To Register: Please visit aztap.org/registration/

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“Show Your Work”: Digital Grid Paper, Equation Editors, Graphing Apps, and Other Tools to Write and Draw Math (AzTAP Conference breakout session)

For students with dysgraphia, dyspraxia, and other motor and spatial challenges, the most frustrating part of math often isn’t fluency, calculation, or understanding concepts – it’s “showing your work”. Their ability to legibly render numbers, symbols, equations, graphs, and sketches on paper or screen can range from slow and effortful to nearly impossible.

This session will provide an overview of tools to support various aspects of writing and drawing math, including: physical and digital grid paper, typing and speaking math equations, graphing calculators, math-to-speech feedback, math drawing tools, math prediction, and more. Our focus will be math notation for third grade through college.

Learning Outcomes:

• Describe at least three reasons why “writing math” is more complex than “writing text”
• Name at least one digital tool (any platform) that can helps kids with notation of: stacked math (+, –, x, /), writing equations, drawing math, and graphing
• Identify potentially helpful math tools based on both the student’s abilities and the nature of the math task

Date: July 9, 2018

Time: 2:30pm to 3:45pm (1.25 hours)

Location: We-Ko-PA Resort and Conference Center (Scottsdale/Fountain Hills, AZ)

Cost: AzTAP Conference registration required

To Register: Please visit aztap.org/registration/

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