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Technology

National Center Websites and Resources

National Center for Technology Innovation

OSEP-Funded Technology Centers – Center for Implementing Technology in Education (CITEd), Family Center on Technology and Disability (FCTD), and National Center on Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM)

Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT)

Accessibility

21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act Summary This Act requires the FCC to establish two advisory committees, on video programming accessibility and on next generation 911 emergency communications systems.

Video Programming Accessiblity Advisory Committee (VPAAC) VPAAC is organized into four working groups, charged with addressing technical implementation of the law: Internet protocol-based closed captioning; pass-through of closed captioning & video description; emergency information; and accessibility of user-interfaces.

Testing for Web Accessibility Compliance Under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

508 Resources taken from Edelman-Resources for Using Technology for PD, TA, Dissemination, & Communication [PDF, February 24, 2009]

Application Resources

NICHCY's Dissemination Initiative's CMSing Your Site guide includes information on the types of CMS as well as a comparison of the three most popular open-source CMSs on features such as ease of use, accessibility, and which types of sites each is best suited for. It includes references and websites where you can find more detailed information on content management systems.

Resources for Using Technology to Enhance Professional Development, Technical Assistance, and Dissemination Activities (Edelman, L., March 2012)

Free (mostly) Applications For Supporting Communities of Practice & Learning Communities (Edelman, L., November 30, 2010)

Resource Packet on Blogs, Wikis, & Social Networks [Edelman, L. & Luke, S., March 23, 2010]

Resource Guide: Using Technology for Professional Development, Technical Assistance, and Strategic Communication [PDF, Edelman, L., M.S., February 16, 2009]

Considerations in Hosting a Wiki Home Page This is a two page document of critical information on developing wikis.

Florida's Regional Development Alliance Wiki Member Training Document This document provides instructions for how members are to access and use Florida's Regional Alliance Wiki.

Online Survey Applications: Using SurveyMonkey in Support of the S3TAIR Project (PPT, 8/2009)  Jozwiak, W., Ph.D., New York SPDG, S3TAIR Project Coordinator.. Dr. Jozwiak highlights the features of SurveyMonkey, a web-based survey tool that New York is using to support the S3TAIR Project initiative evaluation needs.

Tech-talk: Video Conferencing (PPT, 4/2009) Holly Filce, MS SPDG Director and Patricia Mueller, MS SPDG Evaluator. Description of why the Missisppi SPDG Project began to use video-conferencing for their staff meetings, explaining some of the benefits & drawbacks.

Data Collection / Data Management

Model of T3 Behavioral Support: Scaling the Pyramid (PPT, 10/2012, C. Davis) Behavior PLC: Cohort 2 Model Demonstration Project (C2MD). Carol presented the components of their tertiary model, the outcomes of their project,  implementation lessons learned, and tools developed. At the end she touched upon a slick user friendly tablet-based application recently developed for data collection purposes.

The ADDRESS:Office Discipline Referral Customizable Database

New Mexico iPad Data Collection Tool: Measuring implementation; fidelity of implementation; challenges; solutions for data collection data management using web-based tools including a new iPad tool.

  • To view the app go to the Apple App Store under "training and coaching log."
  • Anyone can download the free app but you have to have an account on the system to sync data. Otherwise, the data just stays on your iPad. For more information contact Carlos Romero – romero@apexeducation.org

New Mexico State Performance Development Grant State Performance Improvement Plan Improvement Project Data Management System [PDF]
 

Information Dissemination and Knowledge Management

Technology PLC Webinar Recording: Cloud Computing: Social Bookmarking, File Storage, Photo Sharing, Document Development, Creative Applications. (January 2012, Shirley Farrell) Notes LIve Binders Link

Dissemination Strategies: What Works for Whom PPT, SESSION RECORDING.  December 2011 Technology PLC Session, Elaine Mulligan, Director, National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY)  

NICHCY’s Dissemination Plan NICHCY’s Dissemination Plan has been developed to guide the work of the National Dissemination Center in two spheres:1) Sharing current, evidence-based resources on special education and disabilities with a national audience of stakeholders; and 2) Providing guidance on effective dissemination practices to the TA&D network funded by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), U.S. Department of Education.

The Essential Educator [Utah's Electronic Newsletter] Utah is using an electronic newsletter to provide a flow of information to educators. They are scouring the state & country to share with readers the latest, most useful information & research-evidenced practices (especially SPDG practices!) that will make a positive influence on students with special needs. Examples shared with information on how to create similar resources in your state.

Maryland Learning Links (website) The Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services, has launched a website which offers dynamic online resources and tools to strengthen the instructional and educational services provided to children with disabilities and their educators, families, and family support providers. The primary outcome of MLL is to discover and explore the wide range of resources available related to special education and early intervention services in the State of Maryland.

Related Resources:
Learning Links Fact Sheet (DOC)
Presentation Guide (DOC)
Learning Links Login Instructions (DOC)
20 Things To Do on Maryland Learning Links
(DOC)
Match Up Tool Exploratory Activity (DOC)
UDL Interactive Activity (DOC)

 

Online Coaching / Mentoring / Professional Development

Tips on Message, Design, and Delivery for Webinars (Web Link, AEA365. A tip a day. Ann K. Emery & Johanna Morariu, Innovation Network evaluators and p2i Advisory Board Members)

WEBINAR: National Center to Inform Policy and Practice in Special Education Professional Development (NCIPP): E-mentorings as a tool for supporting beginning special education teachers (August 2012)

Never Too Late to Learn (May, 2012). Learning & Leading with Technology. Find out how one professional development program uses low-pressure coaching and real-world practice to inspire teachers to embrace new technoologies so their students will follow their lead.

Sommervold, C. & Goodwin, M. (May, 2012): Never Too Late to Learn. (PDF) Learning & Leading Through Technology. "Find out how one professional development program uses low-pressure coaching and real-world practice to inspire teachers to embrace new tecnologies so their students follow their lead."

Can You Hear Me Now? [Teacher Education and Special Education 32, No. 1, pg. 64, 2009, Rock, M.L.., Gregg, M., Thead, B.K., Acker, S.E., Gable, R.A., & Zigmond, N.P.] Evaluation of an online wireless technology to provide real-time feedback to special education teachers-in-training.

See Me, Hear Me, Coach Me [2009, National Staff Development Council 30, No. 3, pg. 24, Rock, M.L., Gregg, M., Howard P. W., Ploessl D.M., Maughn, S., Gable, R.A., & Zigmond, N.P] Virtual bug-in-ear technology brings immediacy to professional development.

Virtual Bug In Ear Technology for Online Coaching: A Brief Review & What’s New [PPT, December 2009, Rock, M. L., Ph.D, Associate Professor, Director, Project TEEACH, University of North Carolina at Greensboro]

Virtual Bug In Ear Mentoring in Kansas [PDF, December 2009, Green, J., Ph.D.]

e-Mentoring for Student Success (eMSS) Online Mentoring for New Math & Science Teachers Anytime. Anywhere.
 

Regional, National and Online Presentations – Various Topics   – (2008-2011, hosted by Signetwork)

Out of the Box Thinking: Resources for IHE Faculty and Students in an Online Environment (PPT, Kentucky SPDG, March, 2012). Serving students in an online environment does not happen without challenges. For many colleges and universities, the challenge of providing tools and resources for their online students that are comparable with those that are provided for campus-based students is difficult in these days of ever shrinking budgets. Yet, accrediting agencies require that institutions of higher education offering programs in an online environment provide and support students and faculty with access and user privileges to library collections and other learning/information resources consistent with the degree offered. Kentucky State University has offered a totally online Master of Arts in Special Education Program for seven years. The University has expanded its resources for students and faculty significantly during this period and continues to streamline and innovate while providing high-quality tools and resources for its faculty and students. From Apps to Zoomerang, the possibilities are endless in the online environment. This presentation provides numerous ideas, suggestions, and information about low-cost, high-quality resources and thinking to assist others who struggle with providing access to evidence-based professional development resources in these fiscally tight times.

Using Basecamp to facilitate effective collaboration and project management (PPT, 1/2012, A. Desjarlais)

In this Secondary Transition PLC Session Amy Gaumer-Erickson displayed and described Missouri’s Moodle-based digital habitat that serves their secondary transition communities. Participants learned how Missiouri developed the Moodle site, and how they disseminate information and build the groups. Recorded Session: https://tadnet.ilinc.com/join/yvrbmvj (May 2011)

Resources for Using Technology to Enhance Professional Development, Technical Assistance, and Dissemination Activities

21st Century Professional Development: Preparing for Educational Transformation (PPT – 15 MB 5/2011, C. Dede) Dr. Chris Dede presentedt how emerging informational technologies are reshaping how we learn and teach, and illustrate how social media, immersive (MUVE) and mobile technologies are assisting professional development practices.NOTE: Iff the 15 MB file is too large, go to this events page to download the presentation in segements (smaller file sizes): /events/65

Accesible Web & Instructional Materials (PPT, September 2010) Barrett, D., OSEP Section 508 Coordinator for the Department of Education; and Ferguson, M., Vermont’s SPDG Co-Director & AIM Director. Don Barrett explained how to approach building websites, professional development, communication and collaborative technology tools with an accessibility lens, highlighting the standards most overlooked by projects. Michael Ferguson will follow his presentation to present some of the work that Vermont is doing with the AIM and SPDG projects. Session Recording – https://tadnet.ilinc.com/join/xykycby

Accessibility Notes: Top Things Projects Overlook (DOC, 9/2010). Donald Barrettt, OSEP Section 508 Coordinator for the Department of Education.

Reaching Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Families & Other Hard to Reach Audiences Through Technology & Partnerships & Parent Centers [Session Recording, PPT, (9/ 2009) Diane Autin, Co-Director, NE-PACT/Region 1 PTAC at Statewide Parent Advocacy Network of New Jersey. An overview of easy-to-use, inexpensive technology tools including tools to ensure that families with different cultural & linguistic backgrounds can participate in technology-based opportunities. Beth Schaffner presented on Colorado’s Families as Faculty Project for improving home-school communication.

Using Technology for Professional Development, Technical Assistance, and Strategic Communication (PDF, 2/2009) Presentation by Larry Edelman launching SPDG Technology Initiative. This presentation describes why technology innovation is important in effectively conducting needs assessments, delivering training & follow-up, disseminating information & providing technical assistance. It also emphasizes the importance of aligning technology innovations with the organization's needs, purposes & available resources.