December 2015 Newsletter
ISTE Inclusive Learning Network
President's Message
It's difficult to imagine that a third of the school year is already gone! Where did the time go?
To my mind "ends" are perfect opportunities to reflect and renew. Applying "metateaching" principles, a type of professional metacognition if you will, to our teaching helps us critically examine our practice, consider new ways to improve and grow professionally, and recognize and celebrate the many excellent things we do for our learners.
While it is impossible to keep up to date with everything or snap our fingers and immediately transform our practice (nor should we try), we can challenge ourselves this holiday to take some time to discover a new resource or strategy, explore a new technology tool or remove one ineffective practice as we strive to create a more inclusive classroom. With that in mind we hope you'll discover a new tool, a new idea or a new person in this month's (or the pervious month's) Inclusive LN newsletters.
Besides reading our newsletter :) I hope you take time to relax and enjoy the moment with family and friends. Thank you for all you do to make learning more accessible and inclusive for all learners.
Inclusively Yours,
Kendra Grant
Build Your PLN!
Check out these #inclusive learning superstars on Twitter!
- Luis Pérez - Apple Distinguished Educator, Google Certified Teacher, mobile learning and accessibility advocate.
- Mindy Johnson - Instructional designer, gamer, educator,#edtech junkie & #UDL advocate.
- Karen Janowski - Passionate about helping struggling learners through the use of technology.
- Mike Marrotta - Assistive Technology Consultant & Trainer.
- Jackie Gerstein - I don't do teaching for a living, I live teaching as my doing, and technology has AMPLIFIED the passion.
- Think Inclusive - Where education and advocacy meet... Dedicated to inclusive schools and communities for all.
- The Inclusive Class - Information, tips & solutions for including kids with special needs in the classroom.
And don't forget these great hashtags:
Inclusive Learning Thought Leader Spotlight: Luis Pérez
[image: photo of Luis Pérez]
There are many amazing people that are a part of the ISTE Inclusive Learning Network, and we would like to highlight one such individual. Dr. Luis Pérez is an expert educator, author, presenter, and consultant. He is also the Professional Learning Committee Chair for the Inclusive Learning Network. His specialty areas include mobile learning, accessibility, and universal design. Luis is an active blogger and is a regular contributor to #ATchat and #UDLchat. He is legally blind and works to educate others about accessibility features of the iPhone that enable individuals with visual impairments to engage with photography. Check out his photos on Instagram (@lfp1211) and his free e-book A Touch of Light: Photography for All Abilities on iTunes. You can meet Luis at the upcoming Inclusive Learning Network webinar, “Apple Watch as a Tool for Access and Inclusion” on Dec. 10 at 7PM (ET).
Follow Luis on Twitter at @_luisfperez.
Spotlight: Momentous Institute Tools
[image: Photo of four children with the text "We believe in children"]
In the last year, the Momentous Institute, based in Dallas Texas, released a set of three great assistive technology tools geared toward helping students regulate their emotions. Settle Your Glitter is a virtual snow globe that helps kids identify their emotion and then determine the intensity of those emotions. Pass the Drop helps groups of students focus on one specific task and to focus their self control to keep a virtual drop within the target circle. Breathing Bubbles asks students to write down a joy or worry, which then either grows larger or smaller based on its contents. All of the apps are especially empowering for students with expressive language challenges who might benefit from extra practice identifying and regulating their emotions.
World Usability Day 2015
Latest News in Inclusive Learning
[image: Google logo]
Google Pledges Funds for Special Education
Google announced that it will donate $1 for every purchase made through Android Pay through December 31, 2015. The money will be dispersed to special education programs across the country.
3D Printed Assistive Technology Gets Boost from UC Berkeley Designathon
Recently, 27 teams participated in UC Berkeley’s Designathon to design and produce assistive technology through the use of 3D printers. The event doubled in size from last year, showing the increasing interest in using 3D printing for AT prototypes.ISTE Inclusive Learning Network
[image: ISTE Inclusive Learning Network logo]
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