Over 200 Presentation and Hands-On Lab Hours
Wednesday through Friday, October 9-11, 2013
Over 200 presentation and hands-on lab hours that describe and/or demonstrate successful applications of assistive technology for persons with disabilities will be held during the three days of the conference.
See list of conference presenters.
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professional development
10/10/2013
2pm-3pm
Assistive Technology: How We Do Business in a Rural Setting
Date:
Thu, Oct 10, 2013
from
2:00 pm -
3:00 pm
Location: Plaza 1
Category: professional development
Format: lecture
Subject Level:
All
Computer Level:
N/A
Description:
Western Dubuque Community School District, consisting of nine rural educational centers, educates approximately 3,000 students and employs approximately 250 teachers. There are approximately 40 special needs teachers. This session will detail the Systems Approach of Assistive Technology within the school district. It will focus on the Assistive Technology Handbook, responsibilities, policies, training and technologies used in the educational growth of the teachers and special needs students.
Presenters:
Tina Brestrup
Coby Culbertson
Barb Pline
Jim Roberts
10/11/2013
12:30pm-1:30pm
ATIM: A One-Stop Shop for Online AT Learning
Date:
Fri, Oct 11, 2013
from
12:30 pm -
1:30 pm
Location: Plaza 2
Category: professional development
Format: demonstration
Subject Level:
Intermediate
Computer Level:
Intermediate
Description:
Assistive Technology Internet Modules (ATIM) is a 21st century learning tool that allows for anytime, anywhere learning. ATIM covers a wide variety of topics, from an overview of assistive technology to assessment, implementation and transition. ATIM also covers relevant high interest subject matter, such as automatic speech recognition and accessible instructional materials. ATIM models universal design for learning through multiple means of representation, including an advanced organizer, multimedia supports, case studies and discussion opportunities embedded in each module. This presentation will include video clips from leaders in the field, as well as individuals who use AT to access the curriculum. Online learning comes alive with ATIM. Come see how ATIM can support your personal learning needs.
Presenters:
Heather Bridgman
10/10/2013
9:30am-10:30am
Demonstrate Your Dedication with Professional Certification in Assistive Technology
Date:
Thu, Oct 10, 2013
from
9:30 am -
10:30 am
Location: Atrium 7
Category: professional development
Format: lecture
Subject Level:
All
Computer Level:
N/A
Description:
You are experienced and dedicated to the ethical practice of AT in education. You seek ongoing professional development. You might even have completed a certificate program or graduate program in AT. You recognize the importance of a broad understanding of the whole interdisciplinary field of assistive technology, addressing needs across the life span. Could professional AT certification be the way to demonstrate your dedication? In this session, you will learn the difference between certificate programs and professional certification, the purposes of professional certification and the scope of the AT knowledge base by looking at RESNA's ATP certification. You will have the opportunity to discuss the pros and cons of professional AT certification with others who practice AT in the educational setting.
Presenters:
Dan Cochrane
10/11/2013
9:30am-10:30am
How to Be a Great Teacher to All Your Students
Date:
Fri, Oct 11, 2013
from
9:30 am -
10:30 am
Location: Atrium 7
Category: professional development
Format: demonstration
Subject Level:
Intermediate
Computer Level:
N/A
Description:
With his high energy, dynamic personality and sense of humor, Nicholas Kleve will engage his audience in an interactive presentation. You will learn how and why to make learning meaningful for all students, especially students with disabilities in an inclusion-based setting. You will discover how to bring energy and excitement into the world of educating children. Nicholas will show how learning is enhanced when instruction connects the body and mind. You will explore why creativity is a must with student learning in the classroom. He will show the importance of incorporating teaching across the curriculum to enhance student learning. You will also see the importance of having parents and community members active in student learning.
Presenters:
Nicholas Kleve
10/11/2013
9:30am-10:30am
How to Create Hands-On AT Experiences Through Distance Training
Date:
Fri, Oct 11, 2013
from
9:30 am -
10:30 am
Location: Plaza 3
Category: professional development
Format: demonstration
Subject Level:
Intermediate
Computer Level:
Intermediate
Description:
While there are plenty of online resources to learn about current AT tools, webinars and other platforms often provide basic knowledge and lack interaction, connection and shared experiences typical of face-to-face training. Even with today's abundance of online resources, there is still a need for hands-on, authentic and engaging AT learning opportunities. Presenters will demonstrate several tools and strategies that will enable trainers to create hands-on experiences from a distance. Presenters will share their perspectives and challenges in designing high-quality distance training based on their experience in developing the new online AT certificate and masters programs at George Mason University.
Presenters:
Cindy George
Marci Kinas Jerome
10/09/2013
12:30pm-1:30pm
How to Ramp Up and Shake Up Your Took Kit for Professional Development
Date:
Wed, Oct 09, 2013
from
12:30 pm -
1:30 pm
Location: Edina
Category: professional development
Format: demonstration
Subject Level:
All
Computer Level:
N/A
Description:
With little time for professional development targeted at integrating assistive and other technology supports, we need to reinvent the traditional PD tools. Learn about a model we are using with teachers and other school staff in the areas of assistive technology, educational technology, Common Core State Standards and UDL. Using online collaborative tools, along with face-to-face sessions and practices drawn from professional learning communities, the flipped classroom, project-based learning and a few other tools thrown in, we are engaging more teachers and therapists to think beyond old fashioned PD and jump-start their implementation. Get ready to invigorate your PD with some new ideas.
Presenters:
Ron Houtman
Kindy Segovia
10/11/2013
8am-9am
Multi-Modal Professional Development
Date:
Fri, Oct 11, 2013
from
8:00 am -
9:00 am
Location: Bloomington
Category: professional development
Format: demonstration
Subject Level:
All
Computer Level:
N/A
Description:
This session focuses on how to develop a multi-faceted approach to professional development, including the implementation of a Strategy-A-Day Calendar, provision of online and DVD video content, location and creation of audio for use on mobile technologies and CDs and integration of focused online sessions in order to take advantage of the limited amount of free time educators have available. During the session, participants will also explore how a team of professionals has developed an ongoing support network using social bookmarking to catalog, organize and share resources for adult learners.
Presenters:
Christopher Bugaj
Sally Norton Darr
10/10/2013
2pm-3pm
No AT Team? No Problem! How We Built an AT Program with Unconventional Partners
Date:
Thu, Oct 10, 2013
from
2:00 pm -
3:00 pm
Location: Atrium 4
Category: professional development
Format: demonstration
Subject Level:
All
Computer Level:
N/A
Description:
Are you struggling to build or maintain an assistive technology program alone or part time? With budget cuts, have your hopes for adding assistive technology positions vanished? We will share strategies for recruiting both likely and unlikely AT collaborators who may be right under your nose. We have created a team that is not only excited about AT, but is helping with everything from creating materials, assisting with professional development and managing an extensive lending library. Most importantly, our "team" is broadening the impact of AT and UDL to a wider range of students and classrooms, all without adding costs.
Presenters:
Ron Houtman
Kindy Segovia
10/10/2013
3:30pm-4:30pm
QIAT Conversations: Using QIAT Tools to Support and Improve Your Practice
Date:
Thu, Oct 10, 2013
from
3:30 pm -
4:30 pm
Location: Plaza 2
Category: professional development
Format: lecture
Subject Level:
Intermediate
Computer Level:
N/A
Description:
Although consideration of AT has been required since IDEA was reauthorized in 1997, educators report that they continue to struggle with effective and consistent implementation. Are you looking for ideas and resources that can assist you in improving practices in your service area? Join the QIAT Community and the QIAT Leadership Team to learn about new and existing resources available on the QIAT website to assist with evaluation of services and improvement planning. Add your voice and share your stories about how the quality indicators and resources have been used in your work in the provision of AT services.
Presenters:
Joan Breslin Larson
Kelly Fonner
Scott Marfilius
Joy Zabala
10/11/2013
12:30pm-1:30pm
The Secret to Effectively Integrating AT Across Your School or District
Date:
Fri, Oct 11, 2013
from
12:30 pm -
1:30 pm
Location: Bloomington
Category: professional development
Format: company-affiliated demonstration
Subject Level:
All
Computer Level:
Beginner
Description:
As AT tools and resources rapidly expand, there are an increasing number of universal supports that are being made available to all learners. Because of this, today's AT professional must be skilled at deploying resources across large systems (e.g., school, district, state, college/university). This session will tackle the issue of how to systematically embed AT into settings by sharing lessons learned at various levels of deployment. Participants will leave with specific strategies and guidelines and a better understanding of how to effectively roll out AT in their district or other setting.
Presenters:
Jason Carroll
10/10/2013
8am-9am
The What, Where and When of Visual Strategies
Date:
Thu, Oct 10, 2013
from
8:00 am -
9:00 am
Location: Plaza 4
Category: professional development
Format: demonstration
Subject Level:
Beginner
Computer Level:
Beginner
Description:
We all use visual strategies, but may not label them such. Do you use a daily planner or calendar? Do you make shopping lists, look at operating instructions or read billboards? Visual strategies give information and enhance the communication interaction. These are all examples of visual strategies that are universally used and can be bought off the shelf. During this presentation, we will be discussing visual strategies that are specially designed tools to meet specific needs of the individual. Specially designed tools may be a variation of traditional tools or a unique design developed for an individual. This presentation will provide many examples of visual strategies. Examples of schedules, mini schedules, calendars, task organizers, management tools, transition helpers and communication between environments will be discussed.
Presenters:
Valerie Hoehnke
What participants have said
My attendance at the 2012 Closing The Gap Conference was not only an inspirational and motivating experience for myself, but will be a game changer for those students and staff members I serve.
~AT Consultant
The time I've spent at CTG each year has been well worth it now that my son is finally finding a way to communicate his wants, needs and opinion.
~Parent
My hours at Closing The Gap are my best-spent professional development hours to date.
~ Teacher
