ATS
TechTalk - Back to School 2007
ATS Presents the RATE 2007 Conference
by Ellie Stack
The Real Assistive Technology for Everyone conference (R.A.T.E.) is back!!! R.A.T.E. 2007 will be November 10, 2007, at Carson Middle School. More details will follow shortly regarding sessions and registration procedures.
- WHO: Staff members who work with, and parents of, students receiving special education services are invited to attend.
- WHAT: Sessions will cover a variety of assistive technology (AT) issues, software programs, and devices. Come learn more about the technology that is currently in your classroom and strategies for including this technology into your classroom routine, as well as what additional assistive technology might be helpful to your students.
- HOW: More information will be emailed at the beginning of October. Remember that registration will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Plan on being there!
- DID YOU KNOW: AT tools can be used to support classroom curriculum and many AT tools can be used on the SOLs or for the VGLA and VAAP.
- SPONSOR: Assistive Technology Services
AAC Integration Series
by Ellie Stack
Do you have a student in your class who uses an AAC device?
Are you comfortable with the technical side of programming it and would like some help figuring out what messages belong on the device? If so, we have a series of trainings for you! Each topic will be covered three times in the same month, twice in the afternoon and once in the evening. All sessions are open to teachers and parents.
October: First Steps
First Steps will provide an overview of what needs to take place first when a student receives an AAC device. Attendees will walk away with a better understanding of how they can better support their AAC users, the purpose of AAC devices, who uses them, where they are used, and how to develop communication systems. Attendees will also participate in a hands-on activity so they can better understand the challenge of selecting the appropriate messages.
10/1/07 Dunn Loring, room 11, 2:30-4:15
10/11/07 Dunn Loring, room 11, 6:30-8:15
10/25/07 Dunn Loring, room 11, 2:30-4:15
Please call 703.204.3939 to register
December: Integrating AAC Into Your Day
January: Visuals to Foster Communication
February: AAC Templates
March: AAC and Literacy
If you have a student using a High-End device, please talk to your ATS case manager about training options regarding the programming of the device.
Assistive Technology Services
Rock-On Adventure Camp
by Meaghan Tracy
Rock On: A Writing Adventure is a summer camp sponsored by Assistive Technology Services, Department of Special Services. This one-week camp is for rising 8th grade students who receive assistive technology support throughout the school year and are scheduled to take the 8th grade writing SOL. At Rock On, students explore and evaluate writing software that is approved for use on the SOLs. In the fall, the appropriate software is then placed in the schools for the students to continue to use in their 8th grade classrooms and on the standardized test.
This is a really valuable experience because students are empowered to find the assistive technology that will benefit them the most. Rock On focuses on self-advocacy as a major thrust of the camp effort. Students are given mobile team challenges every day to help them practice and improve their self-advocacy skills. As campers improve software use, they are encouraged to return to their schools in the fall and speak up for the assistive technology they need to help them excel academically
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School Scene: Assistive technology students learn self-advocacy and gain expertise in technology in this summer camp.
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