Listen and learn: Edtalk 
Today's classrooms are more diverse than ever. As of fall 2021, more than two-thirds of students with the following disabilities spent 80 percent or more of their time during the school day in the regular classroom: i) speech or language impairments (88%), specific learning disabilities (75%), other health impairments (70%), developmental delays (70%), and visual impairments (70%) (National Center for Education Statistics, 2023). Teachers are tasked with creating responsive, engaging learning environments that address the needs of all learners, often with little support. At times, it may seem an overwhelming task. A plethora of technology tools exist to meet the needs of diverse learners and foster inclusive learning environments. The challenge lies in discovering, selecting, and implementing appropriate, high-quality tools to make a difference for students and teachers.
This fast-paced presentation was designed with the purpose of providing an overview of a diverse, classroom-tested selection of more than 20 technology tools while giving suggestions for when, how, and why these tools might be used. Drawing from a universal design for learning framework, I will share how these tools may be highly effective in supporting students with special needs while also benefiting the majority of learners in the classroom. Participants will leave with a wide range of tools that they can adapt to their own unique situations and learners.
Introduction (5 minutes)
background and teaching role
overview of presentation and rationale for the development of this presentation
how to ask questions and contribute during the presentation using Canva Live
how to access the resources shared in the session (scannable QR code or shared in ISTE Digital Tote)
invitation to use personal devices to access the tools and content during the presentation
Productivity tools for planning, documentation, organization, and meetings (5 minutes)
Overview of each tool and suggestions for use
Anecdotes and examples from my own practice
Audio and video tools (6 minutes)
Overview of each tool and suggestions for use
Anecdotes and examples from my own practice
Literacy tools (9 minutes)
Overview of each tool and suggestions for use
Anecdotes and examples from my own practice
Demonstration: Diffit
Self-regulation and behavior tracking tools (4 minutes)
Overview of each tool and suggestions for use
Anecdotes and examples from my own practice
General accessibility tools (6 minutes)
Overview of each tool and suggestions for use
Anecdotes and examples from my own practice
Check Canva Live and respond to any questions that weren't previously addressed (2 minutes)
Visual supports for all learners (10 minutes)
Purpose, formats, and examples: visual schedules, lanyard visuals, task breakdown, first/then boards, choice boards, checklists
Samples from my own practice
Technology tools for creation: Canva, Boardmaker, Lesson Pix, Lumio
Technology tools for displaying and interacting with visuals: Lumio
Life skills: Social stories and other supports (10 minutes)
Quick guide to social stories (purpose and criteria)
Samples of social stories that I have written
Technology tools for creation and reviewing social stories: Canva and Lumio
Access, edit, or create life skills materials in Canva and/or Lumio
Demonstration: Super Sorter activity
Questions and conclusion (3 minutes)
Katz, J. (2015). Implementing the three block model of universal design for learning: Effects on teachers’ self-efficacy, stress, and job satisfaction in inclusive classrooms K-12. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 19(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2014.881569
Levine, Hsieh, H., Southerton, E., & Silverman, R. (2023). How high school students used speech-to-text as a composition tool. Computers and Composition, 68, 102775–. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compcom.2023.102775
Macdonald, Trembath, D., Ashburner, J., Costley, D., & Keen, D. (2018). The use of visual schedules and work systems to increase the on‐task behaviour of students on the autism spectrum in mainstream classrooms. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 18(4), 254–266. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-3802.12409
National Center for Education Statistics. (2023). Students with Disabilities. Condition of Education. U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved June 25, 2023, from https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/cgg.
Wahman, Pustejovsky, J. E., Ostrosky, M. M., & Santos, R. M. (2022). Examining the effects of social stories on challenging behavior and prosocial skills in young children: A systematic review and eta-analysis. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 41(4), 267–279. https://doi.org/10.1177/0271121419855692
| Related exhibitors: | Diffit for Teachers, SMART |
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