Learning Opportunity

Technology in Schools I: Inclusive Digital Practices and Tools

This session has been completed.
Facilitators: Janet Bell Darren Maltais
Date:May 23, 2023
Time:4:00 pm to 6:00 pm MTN
Cost:
No Charge
Location: Virtual
Session Code: 23-TI-217
Type:
Webinar
Focus: Curriculum Implementation and Pedagogy

Target Audience

Teachers, School-based Administrators, Instructional Coaches, Learning Coaches, Inclusive Learning Teachers

About this Learning Opportunity

Whether in a face-to-face, online, or blended learning environment, you can design your learning space as one where every learner, with their “unique abilities, backgrounds and preferences” (inclusive365.com) can feel supported by your demonstration of an inclusive mindset. In this UDL-inspired presentation, we will explore some tried-and-true and some less familiar strategies and tools that can support all learners in demonstrating their learning successfully.

With a focus on a range of student needs, we’ll look at both how to support individuals within a wider whole classroom scenario (e.g. audio and subtitle supports), as well as within a student’s own workflow (e.g. audio integration into Slides and text to speech), with a view of replacing barriers to learning with a variety of tools that can help students represent their learning more easily.

In the second half of this session, we’ll deep dive into the hows and whys of reading and writing supports provided by Texthelp’s recently updated Read & Write for Google and Orbit Note, as well as the timely and valuable integration of Microsoft’s (free for all) Immersive Reader in apps such as Flipgrid and Wakelet.

As the session closes, we’ll open the conversation of ethical implications of educational technology tools in a world that promotes inclusion. I.e. As we provide more inclusive environments, are there new groups of “haves and have-nots” that emerge, and if so, how can we combat this to truly support all learners in our classrooms to the same degree?

Leave this session with some new tools in your toolkit, some old tools revisited in their new renditions, and some great ideas to help you support all learners back at school and beyond.

This session addresses the LQS competencies

  • 2. Modeling Commitment to Professional Learning
  • 4. Leading a Learning Community

This session addresses the TQS competencies

  • 2. Engaging in Career-Long Learning
  • 3. Demonstrating a Professional Body of Knowledge

This learning opportunity is being subsidized through funding from Alberta Education.

Facilitators

Janet Bell

An English teacher originally, Janet's career evolved over the years from classroom teacher to consultant, co-leading edtech integration across the province as a member of the 2Learn.ca and ARPDC provincial teams, to school and district leadership as a Department Head at Lillian Osborne High School and a TIPS (Technology Integration and Planning Supports) Consultant with Edmonton Public... Read more »

Darren Maltais

After years of experience as a classroom teacher, Darren began working as a Technology Integration Facilitator for Black Gold School Division. This year will mark his 10th year in that role! He works collaboratively with teachers and students in over 30 schools, co-creating lessons, projects, and products to help students learn more effectively and make curriculum come alive. He has helped to... Read more »