Families are thirsty for information about inclusive technology that supports their children with disabilities. They want to understand and inform the tools schools use. They want to collaborate. Yet, while family engagement is essential—and promoted in the Every Student Succeeds Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act—it is often not operationalized.
Presented by Joyce Whitby, CEO and Co-Founder, Innovations4Education; and Charlene Blohm, CEO, C. Blohm & Associates, Inc. (CB&A)
Moderated by Lisa Schmucki, Founder and CEO, edWeb.net
Presented by Ace Barnes, Electro-Mechanical Engineering Leader, Lockheed Martin; Adam Wolf, Educator and Classroom Teacher, Westbrook School Department (ME); and David Conelias, CEO and Founder, Milestone C
During the edLeader Panel “Inclusive Technology: Breaking Barriers and Empowering Learners,” prominent education leaders emphasized the critical role of integrating inclusive technology systems within schools. The discussion centered around the unveiling of the Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems (CITES) framework, an initiative supported by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs.
Presented by Maggie Pickett, MA, CCC-SLP, Senior Technical Assistance Specialist, CAST; Dr. Angel Morgan, Assistant Instructional Professional, Arizona State University; and Erika Chapman, Parent Liaison, Program for Exceptional Children, Florence One School District (SC)
Presented by Luis Perez, Ph.D., Disability & Digital Inclusion Lead, CAST; Sharon Smith, Ed.D., Director of Special Education, Hampton Township School District (PA); and Christine Fox, CITES Project Director, CASTFox, CITES Project Director, CAST
Post-pandemic, districts are looking to eliminate the edtech bloat and determine which products they should keep and which ones to scale back. Of course, educators and administrators could look at past success stories, research data, etc. But what about how the programs are impacting current students?
Presented by Gregory Schwab, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education and Facilities and Operations, Edmonds School District (WA); Chris Bailey, Director of Technology, Edmonds School District (WA); and Johnathan Skaris, Instructional Technology Coordinator, Darlington County School District (SC)
Moderated by Amanda Cadran, Ph.D., Program Director, Rapid Cycle Evaluation, LearnPlatform by Instructure
When students with disabilities come to your school, the technology that can help them succeed should be immediately available. Therefore, strategies for identifying and selecting accessible and inclusive tech should be top of mind.
With all the learning benefits of EdTech, it’s surprising that almost 60% of students are less engaged in the classroom than they were with less technology. It seems technology has become too much of a good thing, reducing student energy and concentration during the school day.