Just as everyone has a unique fingerprint, each student has an individual style of learning.  Not all students in a classroom learn a subject in the same way or share the same level of ability.  Technology Integration, which supports differentiated instruction, is a method of designing and delivering instruction to best reach each student.  Tablets and laptops provide students with opportunities to complete classroom assignments in ways that capture their personal interests and learning styles.  With a technology-enhanced program, a teacher can foster student creativity and engagement while also differentiating according to students’ abilities, multiple intelligences, and specific needs.

 

Incorporating technology in lesson plans, classroom routines, and behavior monitoring systems can increase special education students’ motivation to learn, make progress, and act appropriately as a member of the classroom community. Technology allows for teachers to personalize instructional needs, both academic and behavioral, to a student’s individual needs.  In the past, we thought of assistive technology tools to be just word processors, spell-check tools, or books-on-tape, but in “today’s classroom” we have many more tools that can be used to assist students to reach their goals. 

This workshop directly fulfills the current DESE Individual Professional Development plan requirement of 15 PDPs in the area of training related to strategies for effective schools for students with disabilities and instruction of students with diverse learning styles. Each session will include a short reading, collaborative discussion and an exploration of two or more digital tools. 

Session 1:

Using Technology to Support Executive Functioning 

During this session, you will explore web tools to aid students with tasks that require planning, organization, memory, and time management.  You will also do a self-assessment of your LMS. 

Session 2: 

Using Technology to Support a Safe Learning Environment 

During this session, you will have the opportunity to explore web tools in order to build a safe learning environment for their students to feel welcome and valued.  

Session 3:

Using Technology to Support Student Voice through Differentiated Instruction 

During this session, you will have the opportunity to explore web tools to strengthen student voice in your classroom and encourage all learners to see the value in their thinking. 

Session 4:

Using Technology to Create Meaningful Homework Experiences 

During this session, you will have the opportunity to explore web tools to support students who struggle with engagement and work completion through the use of video, audio, and other digital tools to reach all learners. 

About the Facilitator:

Liz Kerrigan, Integration Technology Specialist, Sudbury Public Schools

Liz Kerrigan has worked in Sudbury Public Schools for 17 years, starting as an elementary teacher and then moving into a middle school math classroom.  For the last 7 years, she has held the role of  Instructional Technology Integration Specialist.  While at Sudbury, Liz has played a role in many technology pilots, ranging from smartboards and iPads to G-Suite and a 1:1 Chromebook initiative.  She facilitates the technology integration professional development in Sudbury, supports teacher, student, and parent tech-needs on a daily basis, and most recently manages her district Makerspace.  Liz is a Google Certified Educator, a facilitator for Code.org, and a practicum supervisor for Lesley University.   She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Math/Computer science from Boston College, a Master’s degree in Science Education from Lesley University, and an Instructional Technology certificate.  You will quickly be able to tell that she has a passion for anything technology related that gets kids excited about learning and hopes that you will also experience some excitement during this course work!  

Dates & Format:

This is an asynchronous online workshop running between 2/6 – 3/20/23.  The course will be broken down into four weekly modules and will take approximately (4) hours each week to complete with no set times.   A final project will be due by 3/30/23. 

Cost:  $295 ACCEPT members/$355 non-members

Audience:  Grade K-12 Teachers

Location:  Online

Earn:  15 PDPs

Graduate Credit Option:  Pending approval, participants may choose to apply for (1) optional graduate credit for an additional fee of $125 payable to Worcester State University.