New Assistive Technology Page on my website

Last December I was approached by Julie Freed, an Assistive Technology Consultant, to find a way to increase the use of Assistive Technology by empowering the special education teacher.  She was probably just trying to get me to stop pestering her about the use of google forms but I was persistent and or collaboration led me to the world of the QIAT list serve and another world of acronyms.  When I discovered WATI's ASNAT (Wisconsin Assistive Technology Institutes Initiative's Assessing Student Needs for Assistive Technology) I knew that I had found the tools to increase the use of technology and began an enlightening correspondence with Jill Gierach, Former director of the currently unfunded WATI.  All of which led to the production of an online version of the ASNAT and a presentation on April 16, 2013 at the Building Bridges Conference in Iowa City.  Please visit my new page.

Georgia Project for Assistive Technology: Assistive Technology Consideration Resource Guide Assessment

The Georgia Project for Assistive Technology granted permission for the sharing and updating of the Assistive Technology Consideration Guide which I converted into  a google doc for the purpose of assessing and encouraging the use of assistive technology(AT).  The content shows how AT can be used as a substitute for an accommodation and/or modification resulting in more independence for the individual with a disability.  The number of AT devices and availability are rapidly changing.  Please send me suggestions for additions as I have a limited knowledge of AT but want to promote the use of AT as I have seen the independence it can produce. The form can be found on my website along with the spreadsheet which can be copied for your personal use.

Dialogue IEP

Prepare a full draft prior to the IEP meeting or come to the meeting with a blank sheet?  As a teacher, this is a question that I have struggled with for years.  If I come with a completed draft am I discouraging the participation of the student, parents and the other members of the IEP team?  If I have a blank sheet am I doing my best to facilitate discussion?  For several years I have been sending home a draft, usually a week before the meeting, but often I feel that the draft has not encouraged participation in the process.  Karen Thompson, Director of ASK Resource Center, provided a solution by suggesting the development of a Dialogue IEP that would allow students, parents and others to prepare the draft together using the modern technology of google docs.  The framework of the Dialogue IEP is based on the Iowa IEP Transition Form with links to many resources to assist in the development of the Dialogue Draft.  Based on my research most IEPs contain these basic elements. This is a living document and can always be improved by input.  I suggest you make copies of all the resources in order to keep information confined to relevant parties but you are free to use the public resources.  Instructions on how to copy can be found on my website. Please send suggestions to kurtis.broeg@gmail.com.  Together we can transform the IEP from a required written document to a vehicle for collaboration.

ThatQuiz for Teachers - Great source for targeted instruction

Last week during professional development teachers were asked to share new technology they were using since our building became a 1 to 1 school.  One of the math teachers shared ThatQuiz for Teachers.  She stated that she was using it for assessment in her upper level math classes.  I was happy to discover that the site included all levels of math and allowed for targeted instruction.  The site allows the teacher to determine whether the assessment wil be graded or practice and whether the correct answers will be provided immediately after an incorrect response.  For example, I set up a practice test that focuses on distributive property and like terms for a student who struggles with these two concepts.   The difficulty levels vary greatly and there are test available in other subjects as well as the ability to create your own.

Teacher Questionnaire

In August I received a Teacher Questionnaire from Social Security Administration for the purpose of determining eligibility for a student that would soon be exiting special education services.  The survey requested that the student be compared to same age peers.  While faxing the survey along with all the other requested documents I thought about how more efficient it would be to convert the survey to a google doc form.  The actual survey requests frequency data and narrative responses in addition to a likert scale rating of 53 activities.  I have completed the conversion of the 53 activities.  I think this version of the Teacher Questionnaire can be used to identify needed specialized services, enhance collaboration through dialogue and be used to measure the effectiveness of services.  Please make a copy.

Post-School Goals

The Rhode Island Transition IEP requires students to state their plans in the areas of education and training, employment and independent living one year after the completion of high school.  The student must also provide a program of study that will help them meet their stated post-school goals.  Based on  he Rhode Island IEP I have created the Post-School Goals survey. To view student response go to the data file which can be copied. I will have each of my students complete this survey at the beginning of the year.   I predict many will have difficulty completing the survey, however, the process will help promote self determination and motivation in recognizing the relevance of current responsibilities. I think all students would benefit from completing the Post-School Goals survey.

PARENT INPUT FORM

Washington State has a Parent Input Form that request the parents provide information on the student’s strengths, student’s interests and parental concerns prior to the IEP meeting.  In addition to being an information tool, The Parent Input Form encourages parents to reflect prior to the meeting and shows value for their opinion. In addition to using for IEPs, I plan to send the form to all of my parents at the beginning of the school year and anytime I have an addition to my roster. Please copy the spreadsheet and use the Parent Input Form to start Dialogue.