Workshop Descriptions for Tech Academy August 6—8

Workshop Descriptions for Tech Academy August 6—8
Introduction to UDL
Tues
AM
Learn the basic principles of Universal Design for Learning as it relates to lesson planning,
materials, and curriculum. Connect to additional web‐based resources to support implementing
UDL at the classroom level. We will discuss no‐tech and technology UDL support options. Edmodo
Group Code: qu5jq3
Adam Faleder: 3rd Grade Teacher  Stephanie McCoy: 3rd Grade Teacher
Choices that Empower: Tools and Products that Build Student Ownership of Learning
Tues
AM
When students have choices in tools and products to demonstrate their learning, they are more
engaged in the classroom and achieve greater success. In this workshop, participants will learn
the benefits of offering meaningful choices in how students engage with and respond to content.
Participants will explore various ways to structure flexible learning activities with multimedia
resources and offer creative project ideas that allow students to take ownership of their learning.
Edmodo Group Code: hdyn1x
Matthew White: Middle School Social Studies Teacher  Maria Cosio: Middle School English Teacher
UDL and Math, It All Adds Up
Tues
AM
Thurs
PM
Turn your regular math lesson into an exciting Universal Design For Learning (UDL) interactive
experience for your students. This workshop will provide examples of how to successfully
incorporate UDL principles into math. It will highlight no-, low-, and advanced technology options
that support UDL and explore free multimedia and interactive sites. Learn how to create tutorial
video notes for students and parents to use at home. It will also discuss the power of guided
math groups, student discourse, and student choice.
There will be time for teachers to make, take, or improve their already made lessons so teachers
are encouraged to bring lessons ideas and materials. Edmodo Group Code: xe0nac
Adele Bailey: Middle School Math Teacher  Kelly Lannon: 4th Grade Teacher
Tues
PM
Thurs
AM
Metacognition: Helping students learn how they learn!
How can we help our students learn how they learn? This workshop will explore strategies that
can be easily infused into teaching to help build students’ metacognition. Learn how to guide
students to reflect, self-assess and make appropriate choices that enable them to take ownership
of their own learning. Edmodo Group Code: p27vn0
Kim St. John: Middle School Staff Development Teacher/Social Studies Teacher
Sue Stevens: Middle School Special Educator
Adding Choice = Student Engagement in Writing
Tues
PM
Want to get your students excited about writing? From researching to publishing writing
assignments, students feel empowered when offered choice. Explore how to incorporate and
manage choices for writing in your classroom. Learn what offering writing choices could look like
in your classroom through teacher examples and videos. Discuss and review tools available in
MCPS that support and provide options to writers. Student engagement in writing explodes when
offered choice. Edmodo Group Code: ykud7s
Michelle Montgomery: 5th Grade Teacher  Abby Stone: 1st Grade Teacher
Summer Tech Academy 2013
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Text to Speech: A Great Classroom Option
Using text-to-speech tools during instruction can ignite students’ learning across all subjects and
learning styles! We’ll experience several options to support whole class and individual student use
like Kurzweil, WordQ and Natural Reader. You’ll get hands-on practice as well as resource
materials to take back to your schools. We will explore:
Tues
PM
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How to use the programs
How to teach students to access and use them
How to find and place digital text in these programs
Where to find online support
Troubleshooting
Build more options into learning without significantly increasing your preparation time and offer
more student choices in the learning process. Edmodo Group Code: ovur52
Susan Hansen: Middle School Special Educator  Nellie Ross: MS Special Education Para-Educator
Group Work, It Works!
Wed
AM
Learn how a UDL lens for lesson planning can make small group learning more effective for all
students in your classroom. Experience how centers and stations support the universal learner.
Gain practical resources and tools so support centers and stations to optimize learning for all
students in your classroom. Edmodo Group Code: wb4i0r
Jamila Denney: Middle School English Teacher  Sabita Raman: Middle School English Teacher
Home/School Connection – The UDL Way
Wed
AM
Thurs
AM
Universal Design For Learning is a model that allows each child to make choices as to how to
learn and express their knowledge. In this workshop we will explore strategies that empower
each child to understand how they learn best. The parent/teacher connection will be discussed as
we guide parents to support their student’s individual learning style. We will examine and create
activities that can be completed at school and at home in an attempt to bridge the gap between
home and school. Edmodo Group Code: 241eui
Adam Faleder: 3rd grade Teacher  Stephanie McCoy: 3rd Grade Teacher
Mobile Devices and UDL
Wed
AM
Learn about mobile devices that can support your students in reading, writing and math.
Participants will learn about accessible features in mobile devices and apps that support Universal
Design for Learning. Edmodo Group Code: 47aena
Speri Silverman: Instructional Specialist  Cindy Walsh: AT Consultant, HIAT
Christa Gordon: Special Educator GT/LD
"Pick Me!” Images, the Low Hanging Fruit
Wed
PM
In this session learn the important role images play in Universal Design for Learning. Use images
to develop critical thinking skills across the curriculum. Develop a routine for analyzing images to
describe what is seen, ask questions and communicate an inference. Adding images to your
curriculum presentations and materials is a simple step in supporting all learners. Explore MCPS
software and online resources that support the use of images and videos including: ImageQuest,
Photo Story, Active Inspire and the Snipping Tool. It’s amazing what students can see and think
when using images! Edmodo Group Code: cbc0rh
Kim Vigliotta: 2nd grade Teacher  Cindy Walsh: AT Consultant, HIAT
Summer Tech Academy 2013
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UDL and Accessing the Curriculum
Wed
PM
During this workshop, participants will learn the basics of UDL and how to implement it in their
classrooms. They will explore opportunities for realistically implementing UDL strategies and
merging them with their existing practices. This workshop will offer many tips that support the
implementation of UDL. Edmodo Group Code: pxzgwn
Jamila Denney: Middle School English Teacher  Sabita Raman: Middle School English Teacher
Web 2.0 Tools and Apps That Support UDL
Wed
PM
Educator Web-based tools and applications (apps) such as, Wordle, Goanimate, and Prezi are
engaging ways to provide students with options in their learning. This session will provide an
overview of these project based learning tools as well as examples for how they can be
implemented in a middle school classroom. This year, presenters will also review educational apps
that enhance teacher productivity and student engagement. Presenters will share advice about
setup and logistics. Participants should be comfortable navigating the web and signing up for
online resources with their own email address. Edmodo Group Code: ydnlgp
Megan Sullivan: Middle School Special Educator  Ricky Tippett: MS Special Education Para-Educator
Home/School Connection – The UDL Way (see previous Wed AM)
Thurs
AM
UDL and Math, it All Adds Up (see previous Tues AM)
Metacognition: Helping students learn how they learn! (see previous Tues PM)
Enhancing Your Digital Toolbox:
Resources and Strategies to Assist UDL Lesson-Building
Thurs
PM
Explore a variety of available digital resources to help you build lessons that present content in
multiple formats and provide choices in how students express their learning. Learn about tools
and teaching strategies to design multimedia-rich lessons, communicate information to students
in a variety of formats, provide meaningful reading and writing supports, and increase efficiency
when implementing UDL in the classroom. Participants will have time to go hands-on with many
of these tools, and should come away with their own “Digital Toolboxes” packed with plenty of
new ideas to try in the coming school year! Edmodo Group Code: cmzazw
Matthew White: Middle School Social Studies  Tim Dixon: Middle School Media Specialist
Supporting all Learners—
Exploring and Sharing UDL Fun with Reading, Research & Multimedia
Thurs
PM
Participants will learn, explore, create and share UDL tools, resources, ideas, tips and practices.
The session will be divided into presentations, hands-on activities, exploration and time for
sharing. We will share how we provide leveled texts, online MCPS subscriptions, applications,
Natural Reader, e-books and document cameras to enhance student learning. Student multimedia
projects that use images, music, video, Audacity, PhotoStory, Animoto, and PowerPoint and
videos will be presented as well. Edmodo Group Code: 8nwv4b
Rui-Hung Tsai: Middle School Media Specialist  Kyra Kreinbrook: Instructional Specialist
Using an Online Collaboration Website as a UDL Learning Tool
During this session, participants will:
Thurs
PM
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sign up for an Edmodo account and respond to a post that reviews UDL guidelines
explore how UDL can be incorporated into various sample assignments on Edmodo
identify and use basic features of Edmodo Edmodo Group Code: hyzpf2
create a class page and design an assignment or post that incorporates UDL
Lisa Norris: Elementary School Media Specialist  Erin Swift: 3rd Grade Teacher
Summer Tech Academy 2013
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