Let's keep it simple. There are some painless strategies educators can use to shift the paradigm around how we approach school by rethinking how we design educational experiences in a way that empowers every individual to embrace their passion for learning. This session invites participants to take the opportunity to mesh contemporary educational principles such as Universal Design for Learning, Growth Mindset, Project Based Learning, The Least Restrictive Option, and a Multi-tiered System of Supports with the use of technology to transform practices to help students of all abilities take charge of their own learning in inclusive settings. This interactive experience will provide a roadmap for how to use easy-to-implement action steps with readily accessible and available resources in most schools and educational agencies. Come to the session as an educator, leave transformed as an Educational Experience Designer better equipped with practical strategies to support both educators and students to create a culture of inclusivity.
Discover innovative ways to utilize generative AI to design personalized, inclusive, and dynamic Designing inclusive, engaging learning experiences and managing the demands of modern educational roles both require time, creativity, and flexibility. This session explores how generative AI can serve as a powerful partner in addressing both challenges simultaneously. Participants will discover practical ways to use generative AI to design personalized, inclusive, and dynamic learning experiences grounded in the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), while also leveraging AI to streamline administrative tasks, lesson planning, and professional workflows. Through real-world examples and hands-on strategies, this session demonstrates how generative AI can support multiple modalities while also reducing cognitive load and reclaiming valuable time. Participants will leave with concrete strategies for using generative AI not only to enhance learning experiences for all students, but also to improve efficiency, focus, and sustainability in their professional practice.
Feeling frustrated with the lack of AAC implementation? Have you provided professional learning only to discover what you've shared is rarely implemented? Training alone does not move the needle with AAC implementation. Coaching is necessary to help communication partners acquire and use the skills to help teach language with AAC. Participants will learn a systematic structure that can be implemented in either face-to-face or virtual learning environments for how to develop and foster skills in others so they can become effective communication partners. Arrive as a trainer, leave as a coach!
When you arrive you will form a team. Your team will be given cards with one feature of a tool or strategy. Examples might include text to speech, speech to text, word prediction, closed captioning, etc. A relevant situation will be displayed on the screen. Everyone will review their cards to choose the one they think best addresses, matches, or otherwise applies to the scenario. A discussion will ensue describing each card selected. Celebrity judges will vote on the feature or strategy that best addresses the situation. At the end, the team with the most winning cards wins fabulous prizes! Learn features, strategies, and tools along with how they can be implemented to support inclusive learning experiences all while having fun!
Play with some Lego and build communication skills, model language, and increase student motivation using play-based strategies. Walk away with practical ideas you can use immediately with AAC users of all ages.
During this power hour, we will discuss: 1) AAC with older students (starting AAC, restarting AAC, and planning for transition), 2) AAC for verbal students with limited intelligibility (WAY different than AAC for non-verbal students), and 3) Code switching and AAC (AAC considerations across environments and languages). Come discuss some of the trickier aspects of AAC with us!!
