Foundations of Special Learning Needs

Thanks to the group who met virtually this morning in an effort to learn news approaches to learner-centered instruction! I look forward to your posts as you reflect on the possible ways the 10-minute interview can enhance instruction. Also, let me know the tweaks you plan to make this valuable tool work with your specific students.

You all rock!

Strategies to Support Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often thrive in a routine environment and can struggle with unexpected changes to their schedules. As we adjust to coping with the unknown and navigating school closures, abrupt changes in daily routine, loss of connections with teachers and friends, and distance learning, individuals with ASD may need additional support to process and adapt to the many changes. This webinar will overview support strategies designed to meet the unique needs of individuals with ASD during this period of uncertainty.

Click here to register

Advice from IDEA, Illinois Digital Educators Alliance, During this Pandemic

There have been no clear directives on serving those with disabilities from a distance in this challenging time, however,the Illinois IDEA, (Illinois Digital Educators Alliance) provided some solid advice in their webinar on April 8th - ensure you are providing a good faith effort and document this effort.

This sounds basic, but I think it's a solid guiding principle for us in Adult Education. If you would like to view their webinar, click here.

Scroll down for additional resources to provide access for your students.

Keeping Universal Design for Learning in Mind as we Teach from a Distance

These are challenging times for sure! Illinois Adult Education is shutdown until next week and teachers are scrambling to teach from a distance. Let's try to look at this as an opportunity. Okay - I know that's a stretch but let's all stretch! If you need help to make sure your distance education plan is accessible for all, I'm here to help. We can talk through approaches. I'm adding a nice chart link (Click now) from CAST, Center for Applied Special Technology, that outlines universal design for learning. Great points to keep in mind.

Click on this sentence to link you to a youtube video from Microsoft for Ease of Access features. There are many other tutorials for other versions. There are other episodes from Microsoft linked to this first video if you want more information.

Remember to keep accessibility in mind for your students you are providing print item for their work. Increasing font size, background color (often light blue is preferred - but ask your student what is easiest on the eyes), or providing verbal instructions in addition to written instructions are a few simple ideas.

Here are some great accessibility resources from our partners at Illinois Center for Specialized Professional Support:  Web Accessibility Resources 
Another resource from ICSPS is an archived webinar from CAST: Addressing Equity through Universal Design. 

Message Sarah or send an email to sgoldam@siue.edu for specific questions. Let's talk! Let's stretch!

5 Tips for ADA-Compliant Inclusive Design

https://www.insidehighered.com/digital-learning/views/2017/05/03/tips-designing-ada-compliant-online-courses

This article focuses on some simple strategies for creating accessible courses and demonstrating due diligence. COVID 19 has forced our programs and instructors to rethink how we provide instruction for our adult education students. It is important at this time to also consider the needs of those students with disabilities and to do your best to provide them the same access as students without disabilities.  This is due diligence. It is our hope and required by the ADA that as you work to develop and deliver instruction online that you offer due diligence for students with disabilities.

ADA Compliance Checklist for Online Courses

https://canvas.unl.edu/courses/27068/pages/checklist-for-ada-compliance-in-online-courses

This link provides a checklist you can use when designing and delivering online course to insure you are doing due diligence under the ADA.

5 Benefits of eLearning For Students with Disabilities

https://elearningindustry.com/ 

This article focuses on the positive impact distance learning and using technology have on students with disabilities.  The article points out that students with disabilities find studying online more fulfilling and less difficult in gaining knowledge. These students also find it more comforting to study in the online environment because it gives them more time to complete their work and assignments than a typical classroom setting.  The article also provides some benefits for specific disabilities

Special Learning Needs Related Sessions at IACEA Conference – March 11-13, 2020

Join us in Springfield for the 40th annual IACEA, the Voice of Adult Education, conference! 

There are lots of exciting sessions featuring Special Learning Needs-related topics.

Wednesday, March 11^th, 9:00-10:15 am

Differentiated Assessment: Student-Centered Options to Maximize Understanding and Success

Are you giving your students authentic opportunities to demonstrate what they know? Are you using real world and real work options to assess your students understanding? You’re differentiating instruction, but are you also differentiating your assessments? Experience some proven student-centered approaches, gather ideas to use next class period, and have some fun with your fellow educators!

Sarah Goldammer - Southern Illinois Professional Development Center

Math Musings: Adding Clarity to Selected Concepts in Pre-Algebra, Algebra & Algebra II

Would you like to learn simple, creative ways to help your students learn and remember math concepts from operations with fractions to factoring quadratic equations? This session will equip you with tips and shortcuts for these subjects as well as others including roots and exponents.

Michael Burgess - Shawnee Community College

Thursday, March 12^th, 10:30-11:45 am

Do It (for) Yourself- teaching students how to own their accommodations and advocate for themselves

This session is designed to help adult educators teach their students how to be their own best advocate. Participants will also learn strategies for teaching students to accommodate themselves in the classroom and the workplace.

Ginger Harner - Shawnee Community College

Project-Based Learning

Do you have problems developing lessons/units that interest your students? Project-based learning is an effective way to provide students with a voice in the classroom while still covering the College and Career Readiness Standards. Project-based learning is an instructional approach designed to give students the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills through engaging projects. It's also a great way to meet multiple learning needs and styles. In this session, we will discuss what project-based learning looks like, advantages & challenges, and some examples of lessons.

Monica Waller - Lewis and Clark Community College

Thursday, March 12^th, 1:45-3:00 pm

All in For a Willingness to Learn

Many of our students have roadblocks to developing a willingness to learn that frustrates instructors. This is an interactive presentation that will include discussions about best practices for encouraging these students. Participants will leave with a better understanding of principles leading to developing a willingness to learn.

Rick Marshall - Lewis and Clark Community College

Thursday, March 12^th, 3:15-4:30 pm

Build Your Learners' Reading Confidence with Repeated Reading

Learn about repeated reading and how it can help your learners improve their confidence in and attitude toward reading. An original research study that shows how regular, purposeful repeated reading was used to help low-intermediate English learners improve their reading fluency will be presented, and participants will discuss ways to implement repeated reading in their own classes.

Jenny Siegfried, Shannon Wood - Waubonsee Community College

It's Never Too Soon

This session will teach participants to incorporate algebra and geometry into basic math instruction. Participants will learn how to introduce appropriate vocabulary while teaching basic arithmetic skills. This session also involves learning to relate math concepts to real life situations.

Marilyn Uehle - Shawnee Community College

Teaching and Learning: Brain Science And Cognitive Psychology To Overcome Academic Deficits and Promote Higher Order Thinking

Adult education students and continuing education adults return to school with varying levels of academic deficits, anxieties, and skeptical preconceived notions. In adult education, low and high intermediate levels have become a statistical ‘bottleneck’. This session will share facts and practical strategies that will enable Educators to equip their students with the cognitive abilities and critical thinking skills in order to become architects of their own learning and attain academic progress.

Henry Horace - Kennedy King College

Variability Matters - Todd Rose

Check out this video on variability by Todd Rose of CAST – Center for Applied Special Technology. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to learn in an online class on Universal Design for Learning through CAST. This youtube video is a great starter!

Inclusive Learning in the Classroom: How to Create the Right Environment

Inclusive Learning in the Classroom: How to Create the Right Environment - an article by Joseph Lathan, PhD

Click here for full article. It's a short but informative read. Here's the quick takeaways for us as educators.

Use Varied Teaching Strategies

Reflect Diversity in Your Teachings

Employ Collaborative Teaching Techniques

That sounds like a lot of Adult Ed teachers I know! Take seven minutes, read the article and think of one more way you can ensure you have created the RIGHT environment for your learners.