EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

Google Sites for the Classroom
The new Google Sites makes it easier than ever to create a beautiful website that looks good on every device.   Learn how to create a website for your school or classroom to help you connect and communicate with students,  parents, and fellow teachers or staff.    We will walk through all the features of the new  Google Sites and give you the opportunity to try them yourself while you build your very own website.  Bring pictures and links that you'd like to include.   Basic computer skills are needed but programming skills are not required.

Setting up a Digital Classroom
Yes,  it is here...  even if you can’t see it.  It’s in the minds of your students.  This is the generation of the digital learner. Therefore, you need a digital classroom! Solutions will be presented for managing devices such as interactive boards, computers, iPads, and even mobile phones in the classroom setting!!  Participants will learn various strategies to set up, manage, and implement digital devices in their classroom.  The discussion will include popular cloud-based tools your students are already using in their personal lives, such as Twitter,  Instagram,  Facebook.  Learn how to utilize them in the digital classroom for creativity,  collaboration, and communication. For hands-on participation, please bring your own iPad.

Differentiating Lessons with Google Tools
In today’s classroom creating digital differentiated lessons and assignments are a must and Google Apps have the tools you need!  This workshop will explore the features and capabilities of Google apps including Classroom,  Docs, Forms and more to create assignments that are leveled and provide choices for all learners.  We will also investigate specific reading and writing supports to scaffold learning for individual students. Please make sure you have a Google account created before attending.

Creating Accessible Worksheets and Handouts
Many of our special needs students require alternative access to traditional classroom materials. This session will focus on various tools and supports for creating accessible digital handouts and worksheets. This session is ideal for finding solutions for our students that may need to digitally complete their work rather than physically handwrite responses. iPad apps and computer-based tools will be investigated.

How AT Tools Can Help Differentiate Instruction
Description: This workshop will explore technology tools and strategies to differentiate lessons across the curriculum. Participants will learn to identify specific features & capabilities of current technologies such as Google Apps and SMART Technologies and to apply these tools to the content, process, and product when developing lessons.

Addressing Barriers to Learning through Assistive Technology 
Despite advancements in technology and the availability of computers and digital materials, barriers still exist that make it difficult for some students to learn.  In this workshop, we will demonstrate how assistive technology tools and strategies can be used to create an authentic inclusive classroom.

TRANSITION

Job coaching students to become successful in the community
Learn how job coaches prepare students with specific disabilities to enter the community and the work environment.  Job coaches will identify best practices and tools to meet the needs of individual students.

Supporting and Empowering Families through the Transition Process 
Learn about the necessary transition steps that families should be aware of and follow up with in order to identify options and resources for graduating students and how to bring Person-Centered practices to the school as part of students’ transition plans.  This workshop will provide information on improving post-school outcomes for students with disabilities and their families.

Utilizing NJCAN (NJ Career Assistance Navigator) and Transition Portfolios to Involve Students in the Transition Process.
NJCAN is NJ’s free, web-based career guidance system.   Participants will learn how to navigate the NJCAN site, and how to use its tools to address the vocational goals of special education students.  Physical classroom portfolios will also be displayed and discussed by both presenters and student.

Utilizing Person-Centered Approaches as part of transition planning
Learn how to bring Person-Centered practices to the school as part of students’ transition plans.  This workshop will provide information on improving post-school outcomes for students with disabilities through the utilization of a person-centered approach in the classroom and community.  Hear directly from a student about his involvement in the process and how it has assisted him in making informed choices about his future.

EDUCATIONAL TOOLS/STRATEGIES

Strategies to Enhance Students’ Attention and Focus
Understand how visual perceptual and visual-motor skills are core foundations that a student requires to be actively engaged in their school environment. Topics will include ocular motor foundation skills, and vision and how it relates to other sensory systems.

Is the student available to learn?  - Tapping into sensory systems to facilitate school readiness   
An occupational therapist will discuss the why’s and how’s of our sensory systems and its impact on student’s school readiness (“alert system”), executive functioning (organizational skills), and overall participation in the classroom.  Attendees will learn how occupational therapists can be used as a consultant to complement their child study team when there is a student who learns “differently” or who may be struggling.  Participants will be provided with a general list of suggestions and have the opportunity to try out materials during this interactive session.

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING/WELLNESS

Mindfulness:  Be Present to Learn
Mindfulness is being embraced by educators in order to address the “whole” child. Exciting neuroscience research shows that mindful practice actually rewires the brain’s reaction to external stimuli and fires up the areas of the brain responsible for learning and memory, rational thinking, and empathy. Participants will receive an overview of how both, staff and students, can utilize MINDFULNESS PRACTICES in order to:

• Decrease Stress and Anxiety
• Promote Emotional Regulation
• Strengthen Interpersonal Skills
• Improve Attention and Focus
• Improve Cognitive Outcomes

Flexible Mind - Flexible Body: Yoga in the Classroom
Understand how yoga can calm, focus, and energize your classroom.  Develop methods to provide therapeutic yoga to your students and learn therapeutic exercises and yoga postures that you can use the next day!  Participate in a hands-on sensory yoga lab! (Please wear comfortable clothing)

INCLUSION AND CO-TEACHING

Inclusion and Co-Teaching Strategies
This workshop will address the benefits of both inclusion and co-teaching for the enhanced success of all students, not just those with disabilities.  It will include strategies, supports, and accommodations, both educational and environmental in order to address the individual needs of learners so as to increase their availability to learn. Examples of low-tech materials will be included and explored as well as environmental adaptations that range from simple to more advanced.

DYSLEXIA

Dyslexia Literacy for Pre-Literate Students
Develop an understanding of the definition of dyslexia and the updated New Jersey schools’ legislation that highlights the identification of dyslexia and other reading disabilities.  Receive a cursory overview of assessment practices, intervention implementation, and available technology for pre-literate students with low cognition.  Strategies to help teachers align goals to the New Jersey standards in reading will be covered.

Dyslexia, an Occupational Therapist’s perspective on how we can support students
Dyslexia is a specific neurobiological learning disability that is defined as a deficit in the phonological component of language. It challenges word recognition, decoding, reading, spelling, and writing.  Participants will gain an understanding of the role occupational therapists can play in supporting children who are dyslexic in terms of developing related skills.

Assistive Technology tools to support Dyslexia
Many of our students are struggling with learning disabilities and Dyslexia is one of the most common. Come see how to use web tools, the Google environment, apps, and extensions to support the learner’s reading and writing skills. There are many free supports available now!

Contact us for additional information:

Grisel Espinosa – Supervisor

201-343-6000 ext. 6500 – griesp@bergen.org