Well-implemented technology gives classroom staff loads of tools for teaching students with a broad range of learning styles. The time investment in learning new technology will make teaching easier and assist students in advocating for their life-long learning. This newsletter PD is intended to help you learn new technologies at High Point a little bit at a time, slowly filling up your teaching toolbox throughout this chaotic school year.

Every child has a right to play. Everything they learn is through play and access to switch-controlled toys is an important part of helping High Point students learn through play. Toys also give students something to talk about with their AAC devices. There are a variety of switch toys in High Point classrooms and the AT Lab so you can share and trade and pass them around. Some of the toys move, some make noise, some light up, some vibrate and some blow wind. Some of the toys use one switch and some use two. Some of the toys are more appropriate for young children and some are good for older students. Below is a sample of the toys in High Point.

Switch toys are for

• any student who is not able to play with un-modified toys
• all students who want to play with switch toys
• all students who can learn from using switch toys

Be sure the toys are within the student's field of vision. Use tables, mounts, easels, Velcro and anything else you can think of to get the toys in a good position for the student to see it and interact with it.

Here are some ideas for activities to do with switch toys.

Most switch toys can be cleaned with disinfecting wipes.

Most switch toys are powered by one-time use batteries. There are replacement batteries in the AT Lab at High Point. Turn toys off when not being used to conserve batteries. Take batteries out of toys if they won't be used for a long period of time (i.e. during the summer).