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Increasing student achievement by the systemic alignment of technology, policies, and curriculum through a multi-tiered system of supports in a universal education setting.
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Headline
- Let's Celebrate!
- RESNA Certification
- Passport to Learning
- Environmental Communication Teaching
Editorial
- Making Learning Fun, the Power of Play!
Fun Science
- Outdoor Science
- Noodle Rocket
- Paper Airplanes
- Engineering
- ScratchJr
- Open Roberta Lab
AT & UDL Loan Library Updates & More
What's Cooking!
- Cooking Machine Blender
- Electric Egg Beater Mixer
- Pouring Cup on a Stand
- ProxPad Touchless Communication
- PowerLink 4 CE Control Unit
Cooking Activities & Resources
- FreshFarm FoodPrints
- Empowering Parents: Teaching Kids through Play
- Partnership for Food Safety Education Kid Games
- ChopChop Family Newsletter
Adapted Music and Art
- Music
- Lighted Musical Tunes
- Lighted Musical Tambourine
- Drum - Switch Accessible
- Music Machine Set
- Ring Around Bells
- Adapted Musical Cymbal
- Art
- Adapted Color Spinout
- Musical Swirl Art
- Swirl Art
- Doodling Turtle - Switch Adapted
Decision-Making Skill Builders
- Domino Train Switch Adapted Toy
- Gripper Building Kit
- Learn to Code Challenge Cards & Curriculum Guide
- Makey Makey Classic
TLC Website Updates
- New Switch Skills Implementation Course
Let us know how we can help you this year!
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RESNA Certification
Congratulations to the 2021-2023 Technology and Learning Connections RESNA Cohort in achieving a 100% passing rate for the RESNA Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) Certificate Exam. RESNA, the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America, offers certification in analyzing the needs of consumers with disabilities, assisting in the selection of appropriate assistive technology for the consumer’s needs, and providing training in the use of the selected device(s). This milestone is a testament to the expertise and dedication to advancing assistive technology in the education of all cohort completers.
2021-2023 Cohort
- Stacy Alvare - Nassau
- Michelle Appelbaum - Broward
- Jennifer Dodson - Palm Beach
- Kristy Garback - Volusia
- Frannie Gillilan - Highlands
- Jerry Goebel - Santa Rosa
- Holly Greene - Duval
- Dana Hoang - Hillsborough
- Heidi Hyche - Lee
- Essa Kennedy - Broward
- Emily Niewold - Sarasota
- Katy Owen - Marion
- Neeli Renda - Manatee
- Elizabeth Rivera - Orange
- Angelia Smith - Leon
- Roxanne Mason - Citrus
- Jennifer Whalen - St. Johns
- Gayle Yeager - Desoto
- Learning Facilitators, Dr. Danalyn Workentin and Dr. Brian Wojcik.
The 2023-2025 cohort consists of nine dedicated Assistive Technology Professionals, who have successfully completed their first year of the Technology and Learning Connections RESNA Cohort program. We look forward to your continued success in the second year of this enriching program.
2023-2025 Cohort
- Lindsey Ahl - Okaloosa
- Derian Anderson - Duval
- Shannon McCarthy - Orange
- Jennifer Mahovlich - Brevard
- Valarie Musser - St. Lucie
- Wendy Phou - Nassau
- Megan Roberts - St. Johns
- Ali Sefcik - Orange
- Juana Velie - Brevard
- Learning Facilitators - Dr. Heidi Gurule’ and Dr. Brian Wojcik.
Passport to Learning
Twenty-four, Passport to Learning travelers experienced a three-month journey to increase their knowledge and skills in the areas of AT-AEM-UDL. Each travel package included two highly qualified travel guides to coach/mentor and empower the travelers' new professional learning community (PLC). Souvenirs were gathered along the way to strengthen participants' practices and impact on student achievement in their district.
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AT Assessment: Your Role
Sarah Buescher - Sumter
Alyssa Fraser - Putnam
Crystal Poiroux - Bay
Jody Allen - Seminole
Sara Towne - Bay
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Sensory
Tara Jeffs - PS/RTI/TLC
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Physical Access
Catherine Buccolo - Volusia
Brittany Colarusso - Hillsborough
Caitlin DiCristofalo - Hernando
Jessica Hagen - Orange
Courtney Henry - Broward
Jeni Leeps - St. Johns
Valarie Musser - St. Lucie
Alyssa Rosenberg - Broward
Lindsey Wetteland - Orange
Gillian Wilson - Lee
Gayle Yeager - Desoto
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AAC - Band 2
Andrea Laing - Palm Beach
Amelia Allen - Osceola
Kathleen Anasagasti - Flagler
Alyssa Croll - Palm Beach
Frances Gillilan - Highlands
Heidi Finley - Pasco
Danielle Schoepski - Orange
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Environmental Communication Teaching (ECT)
Environmental Communication Teaching (ECT) presents an innovative workshop series tailored for teams dedicated to honing strategies for students requiring Tier 3 intervention due to complex communication needs. The immersive four-day team training is crafted to enhance the capabilities of educators, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), paraprofessionals, and facilitators, empowering them to deliver effective ECT training within their school district.
We are thrilled to share that six teams successfully completed the training program, further equipping them to address the communication challenges of students with specialized needs.
ECT Teams
- Lee County - Rayma C. Page Elementary (2 teams)
- Monroe County - Gerald Adams Elementary, Key Largo School
- Collier County - Palmetto Elementary, Golden Gate Elementary
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| Minimum growth | 8% | | Maximum growth | 44% | | Average growth | 21% | | |
Celebrating Success!
We thank all participants for their hard work, commitment, and passion for learning assistive technology best practices. Your contributions are making a meaningful impact in Florida school districts.
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Making Learning Fun, The Power of Play!
When students are allowed to learn through play, they practice decision-making skills, move at their own pace, discover their own areas of interest, and ultimately engage fully in the passions they wish to pursue.
Play can be any activity that is:
- self-chosen and self-directed,
- intrinsically motivated,
- guided by mental rules,
- imaginative; and,
- conducted in an active, alert, but relatively non-stressed frame of mind. (https://bit.ly/3MqHcbR)
Summer is a great time to provide options for learning activities that center on the interests of the child; opportunities for choice; opportunities to track progress; creativity; and low-stress learning. This newsletter includes ideas and resources for making this summer an exciting time of learning!
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Noodle rockets are easy to make and are a great summer project!
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Check out this collection of paper airplanes with easy-to-follow instructions!
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With ScratchJr, young children (ages 5-7) can program their own interactive stories and games. In the process, they learn to solve problems and design projects.
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An online system where children can code virtual robots to move around. The simulator allows the user to move the robot and obstacle around a map while the program is running.
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AT & UDL Loan Library Updates & More | |
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New Items in the Loan Library
What’s Cooking?
Engaging students in hands-on activities such as growing, cooking, and eating foods can build language/vocabulary, fine motor skills, maths, problem-solving, and social skills. Adapted tools can be found in the AT & UDL Loan Library.
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Use as a blender or food processor. The item turns on when the switch is pressed. It turns off when the switch is released, making it a great option as a direct switch activated item.
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Use to mix drinks, whisk eggs, make cake batter, or combine dry ingredients. The item turns on when the switch is pressed. It turns off when the switch is touched making it a great option as a latched switch-activated item.
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The Pouring Cup on a Stand is switch-activated. It allows users to participate in cooking classes or dramatic play. The cup will pour liquids, sand, or flour into any container when you activate the first switch. Starting the second switch returns the cup to an upright position.
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Tangible object cards are paired with the Prox Pad to provide real objects with voice output. In the kit, twenty core words are provided along with six supplemental sets of words (School, Community, Leisure, Wellness, and Fast Food). Ten programming tags and 10 blank recordable RFID Tags to customize vocabulary as needed in the activity.
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The PowerLink 4 CE control unit allows switch users to control up to two everyday common electrical appliances with single switches. Six unique modes of control allow the user to define exactly how, and for how long, appliances will be turned on.
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Cooking Activities & Resources
It is never too early to learn about food, cooking, nutrition, and health. There are many resources that make cooking fun to learn! Here are a few:
FreshFarm FoodPrints: Resources that engage students PK through 5th grade in hands-on FoodPrints classes in kitchen classrooms and school gardens throughout the school year. Engaging curriculum, videos, planning tools, and more.
Empowering Parents: Teaching Kids through Play
14 Quick and Fun Cooking Activities for Preschoolers
Partnership for Food Safety Education Kid Games and Activities: A resource for parents and educators with programming, ideas, and fun activities for kids that teach them about the basics of safe food handling.
ChopChop Family Newsletter: This provides easy-to-use cooking ideas and recipes
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"Check out" these Adapted Music & Art Devices | |
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Looking for something more on the creative side to practice language/vocabulary, fine motor skills, math skills, problem-solving, and social skills? Music and Art take the Cake!
Music and art can improve intellectual, motor, and literacy skills while boosting creativity and problem-solving skills. Communication and social skills are also cultivated by allowing students to discover ways to interact and connect with others. Confidence and pride in creating something to share with others builds motivation and engagement. Lastly, music and art increase brain plasticity, improve focus and protect against cognitive decline and memory loss.
The AT & UDL Loan Library has a variety of adapted music and art devices to let everyone enjoy a summer of fun while building skills!
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Lighted Musical Tunes helps with teaching cause and effect, and increasing sensory and tactile awareness. Simply activate the large, textured switch plate to experience bright orange light, soft vibration, and six high-fi recordings.
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The Lighted Musical Tambourine helps increase auditory development, teach cause and effect, and teach music appreciation. Swipe or gently push the tambourine to feel a vibration, see multi-colored lights flash, and hear the music play. Lights, music, and vibration can be turned on or off individually. This can also function as a capability switch.
Not to be used with seizure-prone individuals.
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This switch-accessible drum helps with increasing auditory development, teaching cause and effect, and teaching music appreciation. Activate an external switch, press the yellow switch at the drum's base, and watch its drumstick twirl.
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The Music Machine Set is a switch-activated toy set with everything you need to start a fully inclusive band. Attach one of the musical instruments onto our musical stand, activate the switch and the machine will beat to any preset rhythm at any speed you choose. The music machine comes equipped with two holding arms. One of these arms holds a small stationary instrument while the other moves up and down and can hold an instrument that makes a sound when shaken, like the cluster bells.
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Ring Around Bells helps with increasing auditory development, teaching cause and effect, and teaching music appreciation. Users make its colorful bells twirl and play the musical scale using the attached yellow switch while its multicolored LEDs blink. Individuals can use a separate capability switch to activate a toy or twirl the toy's bells by hand.
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The Adapted Musical Cymbal is a switch-activated toy. Create a percussive sound when the drumstick strikes the cymbal.
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The Adapted Color Spinout is a switch-adapted toy. Create colorful designs and patterns with a press of your switch. Insert the paper disc, choose your marker, hold down your switch and watch your designs take shape. Adjust gear arms for dozens of different patterns. Connect up to 3 markers at once.
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Musical Swirl Art is a switch-activated toy. Everyone’s an artist with this adapted art spinner. Multi-colored blinking lights and music serve as artistic inspiration.
Place a blank card on the spinner, then activate your capability switch to splatter paint on the card as it spins around.
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Swirl Art is a switch-adapted toy. Everyone’s an artist with this adapted art spinner.
Place a blank card on the spinner, then activate your capability switch to splatter paint on the card as it spins around.
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Use this switch-adapted Doodling Turtle toy to create colorful works of art! When activated, the Doodling Turtle spins while moving its arms in and out, creating patterns. Plug in a standard accessibility switch to make the item easier to use. The item turns on when the switch is pressed. It turns off when the switch is released making it a great option as a direct switch-activated item.
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Decision-Making Skill Builders
Providing students with the opportunity to design, create, and implement allows them to gain valuable hands-on experience, foster creativity, and develop problem-solving skills. Additionally, engaging in design, creation, and implementation projects cultivates a sense of ownership and responsibility, encouraging students to take initiative and learn from successes and failures. The AT and UDL Loan library has a wonderful collection of instructional Supports that enhance concepts and curriculum. Here are just a few:
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Domino Train Switch Adapted Toy: This switch adapted Domino Train can use a standard accessibility switch to make the item easier to use. Once the domino tray has been loaded with dominos, select the on button located on the train or press your external switch to make the train move and lay down the dominos.
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Gripper Building Kit: The Gripper Building Kit is an easy-to-construct set of functioning arms that expand your robots’ capabilities. Build the mechanical arms for hands-on learning of gears, levers, and axles.
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Learn to Code Challenge Cards + Curriculum Guide: The Learn to Code Challenge Cards and Curriculum Guide is designed to provide educators with everything they need to get started with Dash & Dot Robots. This pack offers project-based assessment strategies and cross-curricular extensions from Dash & Dot to implementing the Learn to Code curriculum.
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Makey Makey Classic: The Makey Makey is an invention kit that can turn everyday objects into keys for your computer. Users can start easy with a banana piano and then make game controllers, musical instruments, etc. Setup takes only seconds; plug, clip, and play!
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This free Switch Skill Progression course focuses on the implementation of the Level 0 and 1 switch access methods into academic activities to meet academic standards. This series focuses on coaching classroom staff on incorporating switches into academics.
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This resource was funded through The Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS). The information and resources are provided as a free awareness service to the educational community and do not reflect any specific endorsement by any parties involved. Please note that access to some resources may be blocked by individual school districts. | | | | |
