ABOUT SIGSPED

SIGSpEd is the Special Interest Group for Special Education that strives to intergrate technology into instruction to support all learners. The mission of SIG SpEd is to promote Universall Design for Learning (UDL), Response to Intervention (RtI) and assistive technology and to provide support and training to educators as they strive to meet students’ diverse learning needs. We believe that integrating technology, along with the UDL framework, enables students with a wide range of abilities, learning styles and means of expression to actively engage in and master curriulum standards.

Join the SIGSPED Listserve:

Want to get up to the minute updates on what's happening with SIGSPED? Just send an email to Sue Hardin, SIGSPED Communications Officer at sue.hardin@macul.org.

Upcoming Events

 SIGSPED Annual Meeting: 
Thursday, March 21 at 7:00 a.m to 8:00 a.m.
Cobo Center Room: O2-37
Join your fellow SIGSPED members for a breakfast conference kick-off. Take part in the planning next year's activities.

SIGSPED PreConference Offerings

SIGSPED 1: Creating Content for the Diverse Learner
8:30 AM – 12:00 PM  Cobo Center
Mark Coppin, Assistive Technology Director, Apple Distinguished Educator 2009, Anne Carlsen Center, Jamestown, ND
The iPad is an excellent tool for creating content for the diverse learner. The iPad can be used to modify and differentiate classroom materials for each student in order to maximize learning. In this workshop, participants will learn how to use various apps for creating content. We will cover categories including eBooks, videos, audio, and communication. Participants will be given ideas on how to create their own eBooks, music, visual schedules and communication supports as well as shoot and edit video, adapt tests and classroom materials. Participants will learn how to identify key features to look for when selecting apps for content creation. We will also discuss implementation strategies and best practices. Bring your own device.
   
SIGSPED 2: Apps to Support Literacy for Struggling Readers
1:00 – 4:30 PM  Cobo Center
Mark Coppin, Assistive Technology Director, Apple Distinguished Educator 2009, Anne Carlsen Center, Jamestown, ND
The iPad is a powerful tool that can support and promote literacy amongst struggling readers. There are literally thousands of apps on the app store that can support literacy. This session will help sort out the key features to look for when selecting apps for students. We will also look at various apps that support phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing. Motivation to read can also be a huge issue especially amongst older students. We will discuss various ways and methods to help motivate and engage the struggling reader. There are also many apps that allow you to create your own support materials. This session will also explore accessibility features built into the iOS devices that can support the struggling reader as well as other resources that are available for use on the device. Bring your own device.
 

SIGSPED 3: Reaching Diverse Learners: Inclusive Design Strategies and Tools for the Classroom
1:00 – 4:30 PM  Cobo Center
Mark Dohn, MS, Independent Consultant – Educational Consultant & Mobile Learning, Apple Distinguished Educator
Bring your imagination and your toys! This BYOD workshop will explore the Inclusive Design Theory as well as strategies and tools for making your classroom an environment that is inclusive of all learners. Through theory, demonstration and the use of tools and apps, participants will learn a best practices strategy to enhance and support diverse learners.  Participants will develop a working understanding of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Inclusive Design Theory in education. Participants will develop strategies for incorporating Inclusive Design practices into their existing lessons. Participants will identify apps and other technologies that can be used to facilitate a classroom environment that is inclusive of all students' needs. 

Archived Events

All the Write Apps
with Rose McKenzie, AT Consultant Jackson ISD and SIGSPED Director

The task of writing can challenge learners on many different levels, from forming letters to writing reports to taking notes. With thousands of apps to choose from, finding the right app to support students in their written work can be overwhelming. Come to this session for a review of apps that put the unique capabilities of the iPad to work assisting writers with their diverse writing needs.

Webinar Archive: http://remc.adobeconnect.com/p4968kteg46/

Cool Tools: Augmenting Text/Digital Text
with Susan Hardin, AT Consultant Macomb ISD and SIGSPED Communications Officer

This webinar will cover strategies and tools to support struggling readers. We'll  explore where to find digital text and how to use it to support reading decoding, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. We'll also share places to find free software, tools and apps you can use with your students to help them succeed with complex text.

 SIGSPED Webinar: 

Can My Students With Special Needs Use an iPad?

February 12, 2012 from 3 pm -4 pm
Gayle Underwood, Technology Integration Consultant, Allegan AESA
There are 100s of apps that are great for students who need specialized instruction...but where do you start? Come to this presentation and learn exactly where to start to find apps that are appropriate for your students. Websites and lists will be provided as well as some favorites shown. Cases, mounting system, and ways for teachers to do their paper work' on an iPad will be demonstrated as well.

Webinar Archive: http://remc.adobeconnect.com/p1bwal6tirf/

Links of Interest:

Assistive Technology:

Michgian's Intgrated Technology Supports (MITS) Michigan's Integrated Technology Supports (MITS) strives to provide information services, support materials, technical assistance and training to local and intermediate school districts in Michigan in order to increase the capacity to address the needs of students with disabilities for assistive technology.

Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology Services: The QIAT Community is a nationwide grassroots group that includes hundreds of individuals who provide input into the ongoing process of identifying, disseminating, and implementing a set of widely-applicable Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology Services in school settings.

Universal Design for Learning:

The Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) http://www.cast.org/

National Center on UDL http://www.udlcenter.org/advocacy 
UDL ToolKit http://www.osepideasthatwork.org/UDL/instrpract.asp

The Accessible Classroom http://www.cte.jhu.edu/accessibility/primer/resources/universal_design/universal_design.html

UDL Explained This award winning, quick video is entertaining as well as educational on the topic of Universal Design for Learning. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P0s4qsLkt8

Best Practices through UDL: Click on the link to view a video done by Colorado State University about UDL principles applied in a college setting.