Central Rivers AEA Assistive Technology Conference 2019: Full Schedule

Central Rivers AEA welcomes you to our second annual Assistive Technology Conference on March 1st, 2019. The conference will take place at 1521 Technology Parkway, Cedar Falls, IA 50613 from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. To register, go to https://aealearning.truenorthlogic.com, Course #15705. Cost for the event is $40, this fee includes lunch.

Check out the Session Resources

8:30am CST

Keynote-Leveling the Playing Field for ALL Learners

Speakers

Mike Marotta

AT Specialist, Inclusive Technology Solutions, LLC

Mike is a RESNA Certified Assistive Technology Professional who has been providing direct services to individuals with all disabilities for over 25 years. He runs his own technology consulting firm, Inclusive Technology Solutions, LLC. As an evaluator, Mike works collaboratively with... Read More →

Friday March 1, 2019 8:30am - 9:30am CST
Room A2

Keynote, Beginner

8:30am CST

Keynote-Leveling the Playing Field for ALL Learners

Speakers

Mike Marotta

AT Specialist, Inclusive Technology Solutions, LLC

Friday March 1, 2019 8:30am - 9:30am CST
Room B

Keynote, Beginner

9:45am CST

Keep? Classroom? How can my student access?

Google Classroom is a widely used learning management system, yet the accessibility are under-utilized. Google Keep is a lesser known tool that has some amazing possibilities! In this session, participants will explore and apply the accessibility features of two Google tools, Google Keep and Google Classroom.

Speakers

Kay Schmalen

Director of Professional Learning, CRAEA

Friday March 1, 2019 9:45am - 10:35am CST
Room C2

Accessibility, Intermediate

9:45am CST

How Do I Decide? AAC System Selection

Choosing the appropriate AAC system and/or device for a learner of AAC can be overwhelming with all of the options and devices/tools that are available. Considerations include language level of the learner, access, symbol selection, pageset layout/organization and much more. Join us for an informative workshop outlining the critical steps, considerations and data that should guide the decision-making process.

Speakers

Julie Freed

SLP/AAC Resource Team Need, Grant Wood AEA

Julie Freed is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist who graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She has extensive background in the field of augmentative communication and assistive technology supporting students with a wide range of needs for the past 30 years. Currently... Read More →

Friday March 1, 2019 9:45am - 10:35am CST
Room C1

Augmentative and/or Alternative Communication, Intermediate

9:45am CST

Access for All: Using Technology to Provide Accessible Materials (Virtual Presentation)

With the increase in technology in today’s classrooms, students have access to Core Content materials, websites, ebooks, PDFs, Google Docs and more. But.... available doesn’t mean accessible! Join us for this workshop as we discuss strategies to provide digital text that is accessible to ALL learners regardless of ability. Learn about Accessible Educational Materials and Open Educational Resources (OER) to provide instructional materials. Facilitator will provide extensive resources through a collaborative online presence.

Speakers

Mike Marotta

AT Specialist, Inclusive Technology Solutions, LLC

Friday March 1, 2019 9:45am - 10:35am CST
Room A2

Reading/Writing Supports, Intermediate

9:45am CST

Accomodations and Meeting Accessible Instructional Materials

Come and see all the ways that my coteachers and I meet the needs of our various learners in our co-taught classrooms. You'll get access to audio resources, proofreading/editing resources, and other google/Chrome tools that help level the playing field for our students with diverse needs.

Speakers

Erin Blasberg

Teacher, Cedar Falls Schools

Mrs. Blasberg (aka Mrs. B) is the upper elementary special education teacher at Cedar Heights Elementary School. She began her teaching career in 2007 in Independence, Iowa at the Independence Middle School teaching 6th grade special education students in the co-taught setting... Read More →

Friday March 1, 2019 9:45am - 10:35am CST
Iowa River Room

Reading/Writing Supports, Intermediate

9:45am CST

Are Your Reading Accomodations Up to PAR?

What accommodations are you providing for your struggling readers? How do you know if these are the best fit for your students? Accommodation decisions need to be made case by case to meet the characteristics of each struggling reader. Learn how to use the PAR- a FREE tool that anyone can use to make data-based decisions about the best reading accommodations for each student.

Speakers

Abby Martin

Consultant, Central Rivers AEA

Abby Martin is a Speech Language Pathologist employed at Central Rivers AEA. Abby is also a member of the Central Rivers AEA Assistive Technology Team. As an AT Team Member, Abby supports educational teams, families, and students with disabilities to address reading, writing, learning... Read More →

Friday March 1, 2019 9:45am - 10:35am CST
Shell Rock River Room

Reading/Writing Supports, Beginner

9:45am CST

Tech Tools to Customize Learning

Discover free tools for ALL students, both general education and special education, to improve student access, agency, and engagement in the classroom.

Speakers

Sarah Nelson

Director of IT and Special Programs

Sarah Nelson is the Director of IT and Special Programs at Central Rivers Area Education Agency. Sarah brings 20 years of experience in K-12 education and technology to her work. As part of her role, Sarah provides leadership and oversight of the CRAEA youth shelter and detention... Read More →

Friday March 1, 2019 9:45am - 10:35am CST
Room A1

Supports for All Learners, Beginner

10:50am CST

Aided Language Stimulation: Using AAC in the Classroom

This section will provide the learner with a brief introduction to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) modes and how we as communication partners can assist the AAC user in developing vocabulary and language. Aided Language Stimulation (ALS) will be defined with the addition of procedural skill knowledge to allow the learner to use ALS with AAC users in the classroom.

Speakers

Sara Blake

Speech-Language Pathologist, Central Rivers Area Education Agency

Sara is a Speech-Language Pathologist for Central Rivers Area Education Agency. During her ten-year employment, she has worked in various Iowa School Districts. Sara's current assignment is at River Hills School. River Hills is a school in Cedar Falls, Iowa that serves students ranging... Read More →

Whitney Aldrich

Special Education Teacher, River Hills School

Whitney Aldrich works for Central Rivers AEA at River Hills School as a Special Education Teacher. River Hills is a school in Cedar Falls, Iowa that serves students ranging in age from 3-21 with moderate, severe, and profound developmental disabilities. The students have a wide range... Read More →

Friday March 1, 2019 10:50am - 11:40am CST
Room C2

Augmentative and/or Alternative Communication, Beginner

10:50am CST

20+ Tools All in One: Read&Write for Google Chrome

You will be blown away with all the accessibility features packed into this one tool: word prediction, highlighting, translator, picture dictionary, voice typing, and more. This hands-on session will give you the time and space to fall in love with Read&Write for Google Chrome.

Speakers

Sarah Nelson

Director of IT and Special Programs

Friday March 1, 2019 10:50am - 11:40am CST
Room A1

Reading/Writing Supports, Beginner

10:50am CST

Early Emergent Writing Routines & Access Tools for Students with Significant Disabilities

Are you working with students with complex learning and/or communication needs at the earliest levels of literacy development and looking for appropriate writing routines and tools? If so, then this session is for you! A fast paced overview will be provided for two instructional writing routines: Predictable Chart Writing and Independent Writing. Both of these routines offer a flexible step-by-step sequence for daily writing instruction that focuses on the critical connection between language and literacy learning for students at the earliest levels of literacy instruction. Examples of ways to provide access to the alphabet via a variety of "alternate pencils" will also be discussed. Content and resources introduced in this session are based on the research and work of Dr. Karen Erickson and Dr. David Koppenhaver from the Center for Literacy & Disability Studies at UNC-School of Medicine.

Speakers

Julie Freed

SLP/AAC Resource Team Need, Grant Wood AEA

Friday March 1, 2019 10:50am - 11:40am CST
Room C1

Reading/Writing Supports, Beginner

10:50am CST

Literacy Starts with Self Regulation

Early childhood -4th grade developing Executive functioning skills with the use of apps.

Speakers

Lisa Litterer

OTR/L, Central Rivers AEA

I have been a PTA for 36 years and an Occupational Therapist for 20 years and have worked in a variety of settings across the nation . I have extensive work experience in treating adults and children with sensory disorders and executive functioning difficulties. I have completed... Read More →

Friday March 1, 2019 10:50am - 11:40am CST
Shell Rock River Room

Supports for All Learners, Beginner

10:50am CST

Literacy Supports for Success - Beginning in Elementary

Empowering learners to use tools that work best or are needed by them is critical to student success. Join me in exploring technology features that can be used beginning in Elementary School to support reading, writing, creativity, and collaboration. Features that are only preferences for some may be needed by others.

Speakers

Ashley Flatebo

Consultant for School Improvement, Central Rivers AEA

Lea Ann Peschong

SLP, AT Regional Lead, Central Rivers AEA

Lea Ann Peschong is a Speech-Language Pathologist with a special assignment of Assistive Technology for Central Rivers AEA. She works with local education agencies and collaborates with the AEA technology integration team to help embed technology supports for all students. Lea... Read More →

Friday March 1, 2019 10:50am - 11:40am CST
Iowa River Room

Supports for All Learners, Beginner

10:50am CST

Try It Out

Come try out the technology! Are you interested in learning more about the features of iPad apps for reading, writing, math or communication? Would you like to learn more about websites or extensions to support your students? Are you interested in other AT equipment to support your students? If so, feel free to drop in! The technology will be available for you to explore at your own pace. Central Rivers AT Team members will be available to answer questions.

Friday March 1, 2019 10:50am - 11:40am CST
Room B

Try It Out, Beginner

11:45am CST

LUNCH

Friday March 1, 2019 11:45am - 12:30pm CST
Room A2

LUNCH, Beginner

11:45am CST

LUNCH

Friday March 1, 2019 11:45am - 12:30pm CST
Room A1

LUNCH, Beginner

11:45am CST

LUNCH

Friday March 1, 2019 11:45am - 12:30pm CST
Iowa River Room

LUNCH, Beginner

11:45am CST

LUNCH

Friday March 1, 2019 11:45am - 12:30pm CST
Room C2

LUNCH, Beginner

11:45am CST

LUNCH

Friday March 1, 2019 11:45am - 12:30pm CST
Shell Rock River Room

LUNCH, Intermediate

11:45am CST

LUNCH

Friday March 1, 2019 11:45am - 12:30pm CST
Room C1

LUNCH, Beginner

11:50am CST

AT Smackdown

Do you ever wish you had a little time to find out about different apps, extensions, websites, and strategies that others find useful in their practice and share some you use, too? If so, come join in this year’s AT Smackdown! In this session, we will show some of our favorites AND we want YOU to come and share yours too! So grab your lunch and bring your devices so we can share and learn while we eat.

AT Smackdown resources

Speakers

Linda Schumaker

Team Representative/School Social Worker, Central Rivers Area Education Agency

Ashley Flatebo

Consultant for School Improvement, Central Rivers AEA

Friday March 1, 2019 11:50am - 12:20pm CST
Room B

Supports for All Learners, Beginner

12:30pm CST

Early Childhood Assistive Technology (Virtual Presentation)

Assisting young children to access and participate in their home and school environment using AT is essential! Participants will be introduced to AT supports for Early Childhood. The myths and benefits of AT for infants and young children will be discussed. How to make accommodations and modifications for young children will be defined and described.

Speakers

Ellie Hamilton

AT Specialist and Special Education Consultant, Great Prairie Area Education Agency

Ellie Hamilton is the AT Specialist and a licensed Special Education Consultant. She currently provides Assistive Technology support to early childhood, preschool, and district teams in Great Prairie Area Education Agency. She received her B.A. & M.Ed from the University of Northern... Read More →

Friday March 1, 2019 12:30pm - 1:20pm CST
Room A2

Accessibility, Beginner

12:30pm CST

Want More CORE

What are core vocabulary words? Why should we target core vocabulary words? How can I start with core vocabulary words? In this session, we will discuss the what, why, and how for using core vocabulary words with students with complex communication needs utilizing alternative and augmentative communication systems. Resources for core vocabulary will be discussed, including the Project Core website (http://www.project-core.com/), and ideas for getting started with core vocabulary words in the speech room and classroom will be shared.

Speakers

Tasha Miller

Speech-Language Pathologist, Central Rivers Area Education Agency

Friday March 1, 2019 12:30pm - 1:20pm CST
Room A1

Augmentative and/or Alternative Communication, Beginner

12:30pm CST

Central DeWitt uPAR and AIM Initiative - A District's Journey Through the Five Step Process

If you have students that are struggling to independently participate in grade level reading tasks, then accommodations through Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) and assistive technology are likely essential to their success. Students with High Incidence Disabilities account for approximately 80% of the students receiving special education services. This reason alone supports the need for districts to develop systemic procedures for consideration of Assistive Technology. This presentation will explain how the Central DeWitt Community School District's PD initiative has completely changed the way we serve students with high incidence reading and writing disabilities. We are no longer afraid to check the AIM box on page B!!! We will describe how we started, and share what we have learned and the data collected along the way. We would like for you to hear about our student success stories, and how essential assistive technology tools are to their success in class, and how consistency in provision truly supports increased achievement! We will also present the barriers we have encountered, and how we continue to address those challenges. Participants leave this session with the knowledge and tools needed to develop a systematic and data-based process to support the identification, assessment, and provision of AIM.

Speakers

Deb Meyne

Special Education Consultant, MBAEA

Deb Meyne, Educational Consultant for MBAEADeb spent 20 years teaching elementary-aged students with moderate/severe disabilities in various Eastern Iowa school districts before becoming a special education consultant. For the past 9 years, she has worked for the MIssissippi Bend... Read More →

KateLynn Hartman

Special Education Teacher, Central DeWitt Community School District

KateLynn is currently a special education teacher at Central DeWitt Intermediate School. She received her Bachelor's Degree in 2014 from Ashford University, and her Master's Degree in 2017 from Morningside College. KateLynn has worked with assistive technology and the 5 Step Process... Read More →

Friday March 1, 2019 12:30pm - 1:20pm CST
Iowa River Room

Reading/Writing Supports, Beginner

12:30pm CST

How AEA Digital Resources Support UDL

Digital resources provide many options for students that meet the UDL Guidelines. These resources can provide Multiple Means of Engagement, Representation, and Action and Expression for students. The AEA system provides several digital resources that will assist students with differing needs, such as audio support, visual representations, change in text size, close captioning, and more. Attend this session to learn more!

Speakers

Cheryl Roberson

Supervisor for Media Services, Central Rivers AEA

One of my responsibilities at the AEA is to promote the instructional opportunities within the resources offered through the AEA Media services, both physical and digital. Media services supports and enriches the curriculum of our school districts, along with opening possibilities... Read More →

Friday March 1, 2019 12:30pm - 1:20pm CST
Shell Rock River Room

Supports for All Learners, Beginner

12:30pm CST

Structured TEACCHing

This session will break down the components of the Structured TEACChing model. Structured TEACHHing uses organization and supports in the classroom environment to benefit students of all ages with varying abilities. This includes: physical structure, schedules, work systems, visual structure, and communication systems.

Speakers

Amber Sly

Heather Martin

Structured TEACCH Method pptx

TEACCH Method docx

8 Types of Visual Schedules docx

Friday March 1, 2019 12:30pm - 1:20pm CST
Room C2

Supports for All Learners, Intermediate

12:30pm CST

Try It Out

Friday March 1, 2019 12:30pm - 1:20pm CST
Room B

Try It Out, Beginner

1:35pm CST

SETT Framework

Do you frequently want to reach in the toolbox and grab the hammer to smash your student’s computer? Is the student thinking the same thing? Is the computer just not doing what it is supposed to? Calmly put the hammer away, and grab the SETT Framework, by Joy Zabala, to assist in choosing the “tool” (a.k.a., assistive technology) to meet the needs of the student. Join me to hear how this Framework helped teams explore the Student, the Environment, and the Task(s), to find the appropriate Tool.

Speakers

Shira Gebel

Assistive Technology Regional Lead, Central Rivers AEA consultant

Friday March 1, 2019 1:35pm - 2:25pm CST
Shell Rock River Room

Accessibility, Beginner

1:35pm CST

Supporting All Learners: A Look at Text Complexity (Virtual Presentation)

This session will focus on tools to support all learners in gaining information from material by adjusting the text complexity. Providing options for different levels of text allows students to gain information at a point where they can best comprehend the material while supporting vocabulary development and increasing grammatical structures. Participants will leave with a list of apps/extensions, websites, and AEA Online resources that support leveling of text.

Speakers

Tiffanie Zaugg

Assistive Technology Coordinator, Prairie Lakes AEA

Tiffanie has over 20 years experience in teaching. She has taught general education and special education. Tiffanie is currently the assistive technology lead at Prairie Lakes AEA and 3nd year as the lead for the State of Iowa Assistive Technology Leadership Team. Tiffanie has... Read More →

A Look at Text Complexity Central Rivers 2019 pptx

Friday March 1, 2019 1:35pm - 2:25pm CST
Room C1

Reading/Writing Supports, Beginner

1:35pm CST

Teaching Tools to Maximize Student Accessibility and Engagement

There are so many great new free or inexpensive apps, Chrome extensions, and online tools for Chromebooks, I-Pads, and computers. Within this session, we will explore a wide variety of tools to create a classroom environment that is engaging while making content accessible for all levels of learners. Participants can expect to take away tons of FREE resources to use within in their classrooms. Demonstrations will be provided on ways to bring these resources to life.

Speakers

Joe Malsam

Waterloo Schools

Rob Griffin

Instructional Coach, Waterloo Community Schools

Friday March 1, 2019 1:35pm - 2:25pm CST
Room A2

Reading/Writing Supports, Beginner

1:35pm CST

Assistive Technology to Support Executive Functioning

Executive functioning skills are the skills that are necessary to help us regulate our own thinking and behaviors. In order to level the playing field for all students, assistive technology can help support students that struggle with executive functioning skills. In this session , we will discuss how executive functioning skill deficits impact students and explore low tech and high tech assistive technology options to help you find the right support for your students.

Speakers

Jennifer Cline

Special Education Consultant, Assistive Technology Team, MTSS Positive Well Being Team, Central Rivers AEA

Jennifer Cline is a Special Education Consultant with Central Rivers AEA, with special assignments on the Assistive Technology Team and the M.T.S.S. Positive Well Being Team. Jennifer has experience in the classroom setting as a co-teacher and special education teacher K-8. She is... Read More →

Friday March 1, 2019 1:35pm - 2:25pm CST
Room A1

Supports for All Learners, Beginner

1:35pm CST

Disability Simulations

Experience disability simulations focused on reading, writing, listening, speech, math, and attention.

Speakers

Sujit K. Singh

Patricia Bahr

Program Manager, University of Iowa

Patricia Bahr, MSE, ATP, RET is a Program Manager at Iowa's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). The UCEDD's vision is "a life in the community for everyone", allowing us to work with everyone in the community to allow people with disabilities to... Read More →

Mary Ball

Friday March 1, 2019 1:35pm - 2:25pm CST
Iowa River Room

Supports for All Learners, Beginner

1:35pm CST

Try It Out

Friday March 1, 2019 1:35pm - 2:25pm CST
Room B

Try It Out, Beginner

2:40pm CST

March Madness: iPad vs Chomebook

March Madness wouldn’t be complete without a little friendly competition! In this session, Coach Peschong will show how team ‘iPad’ can complete a specific task while Coach Teske will show how Team 'Chromebook' can complete the same task. Tasks such as collaborating, note-taking, text-to-speech, speech-to-text, making paper documents accessible, etc. You, the fans, will then decide which team outscored the other in completing each task 'better' or 'easier'. Bring your devices and join in the game! Go iPads! Go Chromebooks! Go Accessibility!!

Speakers

Lea Ann Peschong

SLP, AT Regional Lead, Central Rivers AEA

Cari Teske

Director of Media, Central Rivers AEA

Christian. Wife. Mother of 3 busy boys! Central Rivers Tech Integration Specialist and Teacher Library. Love to integrate technology in the classroom and motivate teachers to do the same!

Friday March 1, 2019 2:40pm - 3:30pm CST
Shell Rock River Room

Accessibility, Intermediate

2:40pm CST

Let’s Start And Continue A Conversation

How often have you prepared for a conversation thinking, “I really hope my conversation partner asks the exact question I need at the right time so that I can express my opinion or share the ideas I’m excited about with the vocabulary I have available otherwise I’ll miss my chance?” Your experience instead may be much more fluid characterized by independently interjecting into the conversation when you would like to share opinions or take part in the responsibility of keeping the conversation going. Sharing independent ideas, as well as being able to advocate and self-determine are supported by the ability to initiate communication spontaneously. However, spontaneous conversation (independent initiations and non-obligatory contributions) may be challenging for many students with complex communication needs (CCN) particularly when beginning their use of augmentative and alternative communication. How do we reduce challenges and increase spontaneous conversation skills? This presentation will discuss research as a starting framework for a discussion regarding considerations for optimizing, teaching, and monitoring spontaneous communication. Attendees are encouraged to share their successful strategies as well as brainstorm additional strategies during the session.

Speakers

Evette Edmister

Associate Professor, University of Northern Iowa

Evette Edmister is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). Her research interests focus on augmentative and alternative communication and literacy. She is very interested in understanding and supporting... Read More →

Friday March 1, 2019 2:40pm - 3:30pm CST
Room C2

Augmentative and/or Alternative Communication, Intermediate

2:40pm CST

Note-taking and Organization Tools

Staying organized and taking notes are two crucial tasks to a students success. Let's explore AT tools that can help students succeed - You may even find a few new favorites for you to use!

Speakers

Sujit K. Singh

Patricia Bahr

Program Manager, University of Iowa

Mary Ball

Friday March 1, 2019 2:40pm - 3:30pm CST
Room C1

Supports for All Learners, Intermediate

2:40pm CST

Supports for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Discussion of why students with autism need visual supports such as work systems and visual schedules and the low tech and higher tech options for creating those supports.

Speakers

Sandy Raney

Speech-Language Pathologist, MTSS Autism Consultant, Central Rivers AEA

Friday March 1, 2019 2:40pm - 3:30pm CST
Iowa River Room

Supports for All Learners, Beginner

2:40pm CST

Technology Supports for Math

This session will focus on Math resources for General Education and Special Education students and their teachers. Participants will leave with a list of apps, resources, and tools to support Math content by representing concepts or content in different ways, by allowing students to express what they know in different ways, and by helping students become or remain engaged in the learning process.

Speakers

Amanda Honnold

School Psychologist, Central Rivers AEA

Friday March 1, 2019 2:40pm - 3:30pm CST
Room A2

Supports for All Learners, Beginner

2:40pm CST

Try It Out

Friday March 1, 2019 2:40pm - 3:30pm CST
Room B

Try It Out, Beginner