Sensory Processing, Integration and Seating with Karen Kangas: PATINS is once again bringing Karen Kangas back to Indiana for 2 intense workshop days at no cost to you! There are still a few spots remaining for this workshop. If you’ve heard Karen before or heard me speak ABOUT Karen, you know this isn’t one you want to miss! November 17, 18. Click Here to Register!
Regional PATINS Workshops: Having personally spoken with several people this week that are new to this blog, I thought I’d post a quick link to the Regional Training Opportunities you might be interested in knowing about. Many are already scheduled and additional trainings can be scheduled by request!
Go here and click on the link representing your region of the state: www.patinsproject.com/regional.html
Adapted Spelling Tests: I got a request this week to help make a spelling test more accessible for a student who struggles with handwriting (fine motor control) and thought my response might be worth sharing. This was something I used to use in my classroom with a student who has since passed away, but who still inspires me almost every single day. She would take all day to write her spelling test and we still couldn’t read it, but cognitively knew 90% of her spelling words or better every week. So, I simply utilized the FORMS TOOLBAR in Microsoft Word OR the FORM CONTROLS TOOLBAR in Open Office. This works in either one. I would used these tools to create a form consisting of a combination of Form Fields, Drop-Downs, Radio Buttons, and Check Boxes, which allowed my student to truly show what she knew with regard to spelling. No longer was she being given a spelling grade based on her handwriting ability. This is super easy, free and quick. See screenshots below. I’m also happy to walk through this over the phone/email with anyone needing help. Of course, Forms can be used for so many things beyond spelling tests too! Be creative!
Open Office Screenshot
MS Word 2007 Screenshot
A Sample Shot of the Final Product
Don’t Forget…To get your avatar created and Second Life software installed and running so that you can participate in the PATINS Project Second Life Island Open House on October 20th!
- Creating Your Free Avatar:
www.secondlife.com - Download and Install the Second Life Software. Remember this can be installed to a $5 Thumbdrive and run from there. No need to install to your computer if that’s an issue.
- Make sure you can access the Second Life Grid by trying to log in once step 1 & 2 are completed above.
- If you cannot log in, contact me. I have some ideas that could help.
On OCTOBER 20, ALL DAY LONG, at least one PATINS Staff Member will be available on our Island to greet you, give you a tour, answer your questions, provide you with training demonstrations, etc. Contact me with questions via email or leave comments on the blog! Additionally, if you want to log in to SL earlier than October 20th to explore our island and would like one of us to meet you there, just let us know!
Second Life Keyboard Shortcuts Cheat Sheet: Down load here: SL_Keyboard_Shortcuts
Scuba Diving with Disabilities: An avid diver myself, this caught my interest and thought I’d pass it along. This is really cool in so many different ways. If you’ve heard me talk about broadening your definition of assistive technology and thinking more along the lines of accessible technologies, then you probably already know what I’m talking about. But, maybe the barrier preventing someone from learning is the engagement piece. Or maybe the barrier is actually someone’s preconceived notion that “they can’t do it.” For example, “people without arms can’t scuba dive.” …right?
“Elliott is undaunted by the nature and degree of a diver’s disability, or age. He works with children, starting at 8, who are visually impaired, paralyzed, have autism, cerebral palsy or almost any other disability.”
Here’s a man ‘undaunted‘ by the severity of someone’s disability when it comes to taking them under the water with a regulator and compressed air to give them what could be a truly awesome sensory experience or motivational experience. It makes me wonder why we still seem to have so many educators so ‘daunted’ to take these same students with disabilities into their classrooms to provide them with equally wonderful experiences. In the light of Project Based Learning, this is exactly the sort of experience that could just ignite motivational wild fires in some of the students we struggle with in class to get even a little participation from. Click Here for the Article
