These slides accompanied the introduction to universal design for learning which was presented by the HIAT team at the Best Practices training.
Can technology workshops be offered at the school on an inservice day?
HIAT conducts training at CTI on a broad range of topics. HIAT will conduct outcome-based training at schools upon request .
Training paraprofessionals in technology is a must. Will this happen?
Middle school paraprofessionals will be receiving training in August. Also paraprofessionals can take any HIAT training after school. There is also technology training available through the Office of Organizational Development .
I only have one computer in my room. This is not enough.
The current ratio is based on the number of student at the school at the time of Technology Modernization. Use creative thinking in your school to decide how best to distribute the computers. Are the labs being used effectively? Are computers in classrooms kept on teachers' desks instead of being made available for student use? These are school-based decisions.
Is there a way to change the voice in Kurzweil?
Yes. See the Kurzweil Quick Guide (235K pdf) for help.
Will Kurzweil be available on every computer?
Kurzweil is available on every computer in middle schools, but licensing restricts how many people can be using it at the same time. Each middle school has a minimum of ten licenses. Many schools have chosen to purchase more. It is up to the school to purchase more.
How do I get the electronic text of books we are using for class?
You may make a request to Speri Silverman. See the Special Ed folder on Outlook and look for the message in the folder called "Book Scanning."
Is Windows Movie Maker like a cousin to PowerPoint?
Windows Movie Maker is a part of Microsoft Windows. PowerPoint is a part of Microsoft Office. Windows Movie Maker is a multimedia application. See the Quick Guides page for help with either of these software applications.
Finding pictures is a problem for PowerPoint as it leads to difficult places. Where can we find pictures?
The HIAT website sites safe places to search for graphics. Also United Streaming has many pictures that support content.
Is this technology accessible for us to use at home? For example, can I get Inspiration or Windows Movie Maker at home?
Several programs, such as Inspiration, do have teacher take home rights (46K pdf). Ask your media specialist for the installation CD. Windows Movie Maker is part of Microsoft Windows, so you may already have that at home. Look in your Accessories folder in your Start Menu.
What is word prediction software?
Word prediction software is a program, such as Co:Writer or WordQ , that is used with another program, such as Microsoft Word, or even Outlook, that predicts the next word you are typing based on the context, grammar rules and writer's level. It drastically reduces the number of keystrokes required to type and helps those with spelling delays by predicting words even if the writer has attempted to spell them incorrectly. Word prediction software does not help students who do not know what they want to write or who are not yet reading and writing at a basic phonetic level.
All Tech Mod 06, 07, and 08 schools have Co:Writer on the computers as part of the SOLO software. WordQ is available on the AT Software Bid List (see the Special Ed public folder on Outlook). Getting started with Co:Writer (248K pdf).
Universal Design for Learning