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How-IT-Works Seminar Programme
The ever-popular How-IT-Works ICT seminars are a great way to keep abreast of new developments, discover the latest products and to find inspiration for using technology to support your learners.
They are free to attend and you don't need to book places.
Thursday 30th October 2003
Friday 31st October 2003
Saturday 1st
November 2003
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| CTAD Ltd Developing independence in learning: technology-based resources for the adult learner Presenter: Gill MacMillan CTAD has a major role in an ESF-funded partnership, led by Portland College (specialist residential college) and including Teesside University and several FE colleges in the East Midlands. The partnership was formed to address problems of accessibility, geographic isolation and reluctance to take up learning. The key aim of the project is to provide learners with innovative tools to help them develop confidence and skills, however severe their disability, in order to access a wider range of life and work opportunities. CTAD's role is to develop multimedia learning resources. The seminar will outline the learner-centred development approach and show current work. |
11:00 | Topologika Software
Ltd Motivate and Educate with Topologika Software Presenter: Brian Kerslake Topologika will demonstrate how software can educate young children and pupils with an emphasis on tackling the motivation, and managing concentration, of those with behaviour and learning difficulties. Three of Topologika's latest titles will be presented: Wordmania, Interactive Literacy revision software that can be used across a network (or the Internet) - great for collaborative problem solving; Scally's World of Verbs (and the associated Scally's Activity and Resource Pack) that gets children exploring verbs in a stimulating, fun way; and Scally's World of Problems, offering maze puzzles for all levels that continually reward progress and achievement. |
| HTI (Heads, Teachers
and Industry) Developing social and emotional skills Presenter: Francis Charters Many young people with barriers to learning experience problems entering the workplace due to their social and emotional skills. This presentation will introduce you to a unique DfES-sponsored educational interactive software package that allows students to explore and develop these skills in a 'safe' environment prior to leaving school. Francis Charters, a seconded teacher through HTI from the Behaviour Service in Worcestershire, has been project manager during the development of the software. He will be sharing the ideas behind the package, its features and the ways in which it can be used creatively with young people. |
12:00 | QED 2000
Ltd Activity resources that support communication development and learning objectives using AAC systems Presenter: Nadine Farris An introduction to Activity Resources within the QED range. These provide a starting point for teachers, support staff and primary carers to integrate Alternative and Augmentative Communication systems within specific learning tasks. This seminar will include practical examples of individual activities and demonstrate a selection of AAC devices and special input switches. |
| Inclusive
Technology Using computers to make early literacy resources Presenter: Melanie Jones This talk will focus on using photos, pictures, symbols and images to produce resources to support and motivate pupils with severe and complex needs across the curriculum. Melanie will share the 'treasure trove' of practical resources she developed for use in her own classroom, illustrating some of the innovative ways that the computer can assist and enhance learning throughout the school day. |
13:00 | LexiaUK Software to Increase the Effectiveness and the Efficiency of Reading Instruction Presenter: Joel Brown, Vice President, Lexia Learning Systems The speaker will present program theory, school case studies and software demonstrations of applications that have increased the effectiveness of classroom reading instruction, and the productivity of remedial reading instructors both here and across the United States. Lexia software is designed to supplement existing reading programs to provide example and practice, and to do so in a way that the student enjoys. The speaker will discuss the underlying research behind Lexia's software, and demonstrate the programs that have been successful in thousands of schools. |
| Sight & Sound
Technology Kurzweil 3000 - in the classroom and test taking Presenter: Jonathan Rouse An introduction to the many features of the Kurzweil 3000 software, facilitating independent reading, increasing reading speed, comprehension and literacy. Kurzweil 3000 is an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software package that enables people with Reading or Learning Difficulties to read, study and write using a computer. This seminar will highlight the use of Kurzweil 3000 within the test taking and exam environment. |
14:00 | Becta A good SENCO needs good paperwork Presenter: Sally McKeown Following on from her popular series of articles in Special Children magazine last year, Sal McKeown will offer hints and tips on how to save time on paperwork, from useful templates to hints and tips on saving time with Microsoft Word. This talk will change the way you use your word processor! |
| DreamWriter
Solutions DreamWriter Solutions Presenter: Graham Brown DreamWriter Solutions will be unveiling a new range of portable solutions for special needs. These 'Window Powered' portables are low-cost alternatives to conventional PC laptops and are typically half the price. Also being demonstrated will be a range of special needs software for PC laptops including word prediction and speech recognition software along with the Franklin range of communication aids. Our sister company S & S Computer Advice will be demonstrating the AlphaSmart range of products which includes special needs software for the AlphaSmart 3000 and AlphaSmart Dana. |
15:00 | TextHELP!
Systems Read & Write GOLD: assistive technology for pupils with literacy difficulties Presenter: Paul Lemon TextHELP Systems offers software solutions for those with learning and literacy difficulties. TextHELP products are designed to promote independence for users within mainstream applications, whilst aiding the development of literacy skills. TextHELP's Read & Write GOLD EDITION alters the way that assistive technology is used in the classroom, with new features such as: study/fact folder, web search tool, speech recognition, MP3 capabilities and a scientific calculator. Find out how it can be used to promote inclusion and integration into mainstream education. |
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| Autoskill Research & technology - meeting the needs of struggling readers Presenter: Richard Stanton/Beverly Ford This information session will present case studies where the AutoSkill Academy of Reading, a Canadian research-based software programme, has made tremendous gains with students from around the world. Selected studies will discuss various models of implementation and will highlight best practices for improving literacy levels. |
11:00 | DynaVox AAC: desires, predictions and crystal balls! Where does AAC go from here? What are the major improvements and changes that people are requesting and how do we get them incorporated in future products? The seminar will be a look into the future - without the aid of crystal balls - but with our current knowledge of where we may progress to from where we are now. It will start with an overview of current DynaVox products and proceed to an open discussion on the future. |
| Matchware
Ltd How to make software tutorials Presenter: David Kidd This seminar will show participants how to go about making training videos/tutorials of software programs that can be integrated into websites, CD-Roms and used across an intranet. Participants will be taken through a step by step process of how to record screen actions of a program, how to add notes, titles and sound, edit and then export to the web, CD-Rom or Flash format. |
12:00 | Traxsys Developing communication skills Presenter: Roger Bates Roger Bates will demonstrate how the new P+G Inclusive Scan4 can be used as an introduction to scanning activities using switches. Scan4 is a scanning version of the popular 4talk4 speech output device. Four large, coloured buttons each with its own message and four distinct levels allows up to 16 pre-recorded messages. It also has single- or two-switch scanning and a single switch 'dwell' scan mode, where pressing the switch controls the scan and dwelling on the required selection activates it. Bright scanning lights and auditory scanning also help learners to understand scanning activities and choice-making. |
| Mayer-Johnson Integrate Mayer-Johnson products into your classroom: applications & strategies! Presenter: Lisa Petit This session will feature practical classroom applications and adaptations using many Mayer-Johnson products. Creative applications will be demonstrated using Boardmaker, Speaking Dynamically Pro and Writing With Symbols 2000, along with devices and other lo-tech materials. Use these programs to adapt a theme-based unit, reinforce concepts and encourage communication through a variety of activities including adapted books, interactive stories, and writing activities. You will also learn how to use symbol based materials to reduce behavior problems in the classroom plus exciting strategies for creating a communication conducive classroom. Leave this session feeling inspired and excited to use these practical ideas to enrich instruction for all of your students. |
13:00 | Sherston
Software Let the new Sherston Skill Builders assist your children Presenter: Peter Cope and Pauline Eccles This session will introduce a brand new range of basic skills resources called the Sherston Skill Builders. This series of tightly focused titles is designed to enable pupils to practise and consolidate simple skills through repetition and can be used with either a mouse or switch. Any pupil who needs to concentrate for short periods on a specific skill such as recognising colours, listening carefully, word-picture association or developing visual memory, whether in mainstream or special education, will benefit from short periods of time spent on these titles. |
| R-E-M Effective Inclusion Presenter: Bob Black, Education Information Officer, Down's Syndrome Association. What support and planning needs to be in place for the successful inclusion of children in mainstream classrooms? Bob Black shares his experience of good practice from around the UK and celebrates the publication of a support pack for schools and support services, written by a consortium of leading professionals including Stephanie Lorenz, Sandy Alton, Jane Beadman and Cecilia McKinnon. The pack is published by the Down's Syndrome Association and attending delegates will be first to obtain a free copy of this 120 page ring bound resource. |
14:00 | Epar Software
Ltd Software that saves time for schools Presenter: Peter Smith/John Bell Almost all schools now have a network and computers in every classroom, but many schools do not realise how these valuable resources can be used to save teachers, admin staff and the SMT hours every week. For years there has been no software available specifically for the demanding Special Needs School environment. Fortunately, this has now changed, and we will show you how modern software can compliment your existing systems to benefit the whole school. |
| CENMAC Supporting inclusion: issues, hardware and programs that help CENMAC is an assessment and loan service for pupils in mainstream and special schools across London. In this seminar we will look at case studies illustrating a range of common difficulties and how fairly simple ICT has been used to help pupils. It will give SENCOs, classteachers and support staff ideas for including all their pupils in classroom activities. |
15:00 |
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| Becta The Inclusion website - providing resources, advice and information Presenter: Terry Waller, Education Officer for Inclusion and SEN, Becta For teachers who need information and advice on meeting the needs of children with special educational needs, the Inclusion site is a must. It offers easy access online to news and a wide-ranging catalogue of resources. The new SEN and Inclusion Advice area is where teachers can ask other teachers for advice on classroom practice or ask experts about specific hot topics. This seminar introduces the exciting new features and services of the Inclusion site and explains how you can exploit and contribute to the content it provides. Inclusion site can be found at: http://inclusion.ngfl.gov.uk |
11:00 | Semerc On Track to Success! Presenter: Laura Cryer, Special Needs Publisher, Semerc "Tracking was fun - I looked for the letters and joined them up - it made a word I could read" - Elyse. Spell Track is the first in a unique series of CD-Roms and books published by Semerc and David Fultons Publishers. Designed to meet the literacy needs of all individuals, these truly multi-media resources represent exciting and motivational opportunities supporting learning to read and write in the inclusive classroom. |
| Don Johnston Special
Needs Using technology to support reading and writing for pupils with special needs Presenter: Jamie Munro When pupils struggle with reading and writing, teachers need different, effective interventions that will help pupils overcome their learning hurdles. Learn how to identify and integrate technology tools to help older struggling pupils read, comprehend and respond in writing to age-appropriate text. Discover how technology and a balanced literacy approach work together to accelerate learning. |
12:00 | Resource
Education ICT and Literacy Presenter: Trevor Millum Trevor Millum's latest book, 'ICT and Literacy' has just been published by the National Association for the Teaching of English. In this session, the author will demonstrate some of the many practical activities designed to enhance the teaching of literacy at primary level which have particular relevance for pupils with special needs or who are reluctant readers and writers. He will also show some of the literacy products from Resource which take the same practical approach to teaching and learning. |
| Crick
Software Technology for the Inclusive Classroom - Clicker, Wordbar and ClozePro Presenter: Ann Crick The seminar will look at Clicker 4, Wordbar and ClozePro from Crick Software. It will show how learners can be supported in a range of curriculum areas and at how the programs can be used across a wide ability and age range. The focus will be on practical classroom ideas from early literacy to secondary level. The writing support elements of Clicker and Wordbar will be demonstrated. The multimedia features of Clicker will be explored, with particular emphasis on the creation of reading materials. You will also be shown how to use ClozePro to create cloze activities quickly and easily. |
13:00 | iANSYST Ltd Using Speech Recognition to Improve Literacy in Secondary Schools Presenter: Dr Andi Sanderson Speech recognition software offers dyslexic pupils with an additional means for creating written work. What is less well understood is how Speech Recognition contributes to overall literacy. This session outlines the results of a research project Dr Sanderson undertook with De Montford University. |