Assistive Technology Tools to Support Students in the Classroom
Training Description: Assistive technology is a powerful tool that can be used in the classroom to improve student outcomes in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics. The usage of Assistive Technology (AT) can help a student reach their full potential by capitalizing on their strengths while bypassing or compensating for their areas of difficulty. AT creates a customizable toolbox that can allow students to access the curriculum in a manner that is most understandable for them, can increase the speed and accuracy in which a student completes an academic task, and can increase a student's ability to work independently. The purpose of this presentation is to educate teachers & special education staff on how to identify students who may benefit from the use of assistive technology and utilize these available technical resources to improve access and learning outcomes. Participants will be shown some of the current catalog of available tools including apps, extensions, and built-in technology accessibility features that they can utilize in their classrooms. Topics include word prediction, dictation, text-to-speech, screen masking, and more. Participants will be instructed in the use of these types of tools to address identified areas of need; provided strategies to utilize data to demonstrate effectiveness of a particular tool or strategy; and guidance in how to accurately document the use of AT in the IEP process. About the Presenter: Jessica Quinnell, MS OTR/L is an Occupational Therapist with over eight years of experience working in school-based practice. Jessica joined TES in November of 2019 and prior to that, she worked as an Occupational Therapist with the Douglas County School District in Colorado, both in the early childhood education program and with the K12 program. She has also worked in the areas of therapeutic horsemanship and Hippotherapy. Over the course of her work as an OTR/L Jessica has worked with students with a variety of diagnoses, working hands-on with students in the classroom as well as completing evaluations, designing and executing treatment plans in addition to consulting and collaborating with families, students, teachers, and other professionals. She is well versed in supporting student participation in their educational activities by addressing fine and gross motor deficits, handwriting legibility, access to assistive technology, and development of sensory processing and self-regulation skills. During her career, Jessica developed a special interest in the area of assistive technology and has completed additional professional development in the areas of switch use and access, assistive augmentative communication, and program-specific training such as Google Read & Write. She is also working toward completing her certification as an Assistive Technology Provider through the RESNA program.
Training Description: Assistive technology is a powerful tool that can be used in the classroom to improve student outcomes in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics. The usage of Assistive Technology (AT) can help a student reach their full potential by capitalizing on their strengths while bypassing or compensating for their areas of difficulty. AT creates a customizable toolbox that can allow students to access the curriculum in a manner that is most understandable for them, can increase the speed and accuracy in which a student completes an academic task, and can increase a student's ability to work independently. The purpose of this presentation is to educate teachers & special education staff on how to identify students who may benefit from the use of assistive technology and utilize these available technical resources to improve access and learning outcomes. Participants will be shown some of the current catalog of available tools including apps, extensions, and built-in technology accessibility features that they can utilize in their classrooms. Topics include word prediction, dictation, text-to-speech, screen masking, and more. Participants will be instructed in the use of these types of tools to address identified areas of need; provided strategies to utilize data to demonstrate effectiveness of a particular tool or strategy; and guidance in how to accurately document the use of AT in the IEP process. About the Presenter: Jessica Quinnell, MS OTR/L is an Occupational Therapist with over eight years of experience working in school-based practice. Jessica joined TES in November of 2019 and prior to that, she worked as an Occupational Therapist with the Douglas County School District in Colorado, both in the early childhood education program and with the K12 program. She has also worked in the areas of therapeutic horsemanship and Hippotherapy. Over the course of her work as an OTR/L Jessica has worked with students with a variety of diagnoses, working hands-on with students in the classroom as well as completing evaluations, designing and executing treatment plans in addition to consulting and collaborating with families, students, teachers, and other professionals. She is well versed in supporting student participation in their educational activities by addressing fine and gross motor deficits, handwriting legibility, access to assistive technology, and development of sensory processing and self-regulation skills. During her career, Jessica developed a special interest in the area of assistive technology and has completed additional professional development in the areas of switch use and access, assistive augmentative communication, and program-specific training such as Google Read & Write. She is also working toward completing her certification as an Assistive Technology Provider through the RESNA program.