Consider the Educational
Environment
MAASE Summer Institute
August 2013
Michigan’s Integrated Technology Supports (MITS) is an IDEA Mandated Activities
Project offered through the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special
Education and Early Intervention Services.
Outcomes
• Educational environments that meet
variability in learning needs
• Consideration of learning needs leads
to appropriate supports
• Consideration of learning needs
consistently evaluated for
effectiveness
This is NOT today’s classroom
This may be today’s classroom
vaseagrant.vims.edu
hazard-herald.com
www.news-herald.com
Where does the shift begin?
Leap of Faith
Is what we’re doing working?
57.33%
https://www.mischooldata.org/Di
strictSchoolProfiles/StudentInfor
mation/GraduationDropoutRate.a
spx
53.52%
62.71%
64.25%
Where do we begin?
General Environment
General Environment
General Environment
hazard-herald.com
“modifications to the classroom environment increased academic engagement
and decreased disruptive behavior”
(Hood-Smith & Leffingwell, 1983; Proshansky & Wolfe, 1974; Visser, 2001;
Wheldall & Olds, 1987; Zifferblatt, 1972)
www.unf.edu/~caroline.guardino/.../TEACHING%20except%20article.pdf
www.news-herald.com
General Environment
Change Directions
“Intentionality”
Co-Teaching Lesson Plan Book
http://www.nprinc.com/co-teach/ctlp.htm
Inclusive Planning
Inclusive Planning
Change Directions
Teaching Methods and
Materials
Teaching Methods and
Materials
Teaching Methods and
Materials
“…what my lesson lacks in order
for that child to be successful…”
Universal Supports
Magnification
Video
Presentation
Breaks
Peer-to-Peer
Oral Report
Support
Movement
Highlighter
Calculator
Writing Tools
Digital
Text
Seating
Options
Targeted Supports
Reverse
Contrast
Movement
Headphones
Color
Contrast
Colored
Overlays
Text-toSpeech
Magnification
Intensive Supports
“Consideration”
Conversation – team
can bring up out of
concern – REED process
Communication process
– no progress (lo to
high tech)
Middle school/High
school materials not
accessible - content
10 Minutes
“Consideration”
Document in IEP –
request for AT
eval,REED, IEP, student
struggling
PLAFFP – weaknesses,
technology a piece of
accommodations?
10 Minutes
At Every IEP/504 Meeting
Wait….
Specific, Observable,
Measureable Goals
Strengths
“Consideration”
Documentation
Special Education Goals
Supplemental Aids/Services
Related Services
Effectiveness
Intensive Strategies and Tools
Communication Systems
Braille
Sign language interpreter
Switch Access
Cognitive rescaling
Accessible Instructional Materials
What about the money…
Improved Student Outcomes
• Thoughtful Consideration
• Appropriate Support
• Data Collection
Here’s a thought…
Questions? Comments!
Resources
• Targeted Supports Resources
– http://www.naturalreaders.com/
– http://www.cross-plusa.com/balabolka.htm
– http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/article/iph
one-ipad-apps-for-magnification-and-visionsupport
– http://mits.cenmi.org/Resources/MITSFree
domStick.aspx
– http://www.xmind.net/ Graphic Organizer
– Accessibility features: computer, tablets,
etc. (contained in “settings”)
Resources
• Intensive Supports Resources
– http://www.ablenetinc.com/AssistiveTechnology/Switches
– http://teachinglearnerswithmultipleneeds.b
logspot.com/2012/01/switch-access-toipodsipads-expands.html
– http://readingtech.bayen.com/think.shtml
– Communication systems:
• Individually designed systems
• Consideration tools
– http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=370
196&backurl=/shelf/my
Resources
• Co-Teaching Lesson Plan Book
– http://www.nprinc.com/co-teach/ctlp.htm
• Student Needs
– https://www.schoolmoves.com/
– http://curriculum.austinisd.org/pe_health/res
ources/BrainBreaks/documents/14activitybreaks_000.pdf
– http://www.gobookee.net/classroomenergizers-for-middle-school/
Resources
• Student Needs - continued
– http://thinkingmoves.com/
– http://mits.cenmi.org/Resources/MITSFreed
omStick.aspx
– http://incentivepublications.com/products/t
he-curriculum-project-planner-rev-ed
Contact
• Laura Taylor
– Technology Integration Specialist
– [email protected]
• MITS Lending Library
– http://mits.cenmi.org/LendingLibrary.aspx