Increasing Accessibility and Fostering Inclusive Classrooms

Presented by Mike Tholfsen, Principal Product Manager, Microsoft Education; Lauren Pittman, Graduate Assistant, Vanderbilt University, and Former Special Educator Teacher; and Beth Dudycha, Senior Manager, Content Development, Insight2Execution, and Former Educator
Hosted by SETDA

Sponsored by Microsoft

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The goal of this edWebinar is to discuss what inclusive classrooms, employing accessibility, look like from the standpoint of reading, writing, math and communication. The presenters will be sharing examples from Microsoft Education’s free accessibility suite of tools and including the stories of teachers who have worked with students of all abilities in an inclusive classroom setting.

Learn about:

• The benefits of inclusively designed lessons and classrooms employing assistive technology 
• Improving learning outcomes for all learners powered by assistive technology tools
• Current updates on Microsoft Education’s reading, writing, math and communication tools
• The power of built-in assistive technology and its impact on both social and normative constructs of today’s classrooms

This recorded presentation will be of interest to special education teachers, K-5 educators, reading specialists, TESOL or ELL teachers, librarians, speech pathologists, and school leaders.

About the Presenters

Mike Tholfsen is a principal product manager on the Microsoft Education team focusing on inclusive classrooms, learning tools and OneNote Class/Staff Notebooks. He is passionate about education and has been regularly working with students and teachers around the world over the past ten years to create products that improve student outcomes.

Lauren Pittman is a special education teacher with 12 years’ experience working with students with exceptionalities. She is a graduate of Berry College in Rome, GA and holds a degree in early childhood education and certifications in general special education and adaptive special education as well as an ESOL and math endorsement. She is currently working on completing her Master of Education degree with a concentration in special education – high incidence at Vanderbilt University. As a champion for accessibility and inclusion in today’s classrooms, Lauren travels around the country presenting at schools and conferences on the importance of inclusion and how to leverage technology to meet student needs.

Beth Dudycha is the senior manager of content development for Insight 2 Execution. As a former elementary teacher with a passion for accessibility, games, and technology, she brings a unique perspective to training events and online courses within the Microsoft Educator Community. She is a Minecraft Certified Trainer and a Microsoft Innovative Educator. Prior to this, she worked as a curriculum and instructional designer at DreamBox Learning. She received a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction – educational technology.
 
 

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The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit membership association launched by state education agency leaders in 2001 to serve, support and represent their emerging interests and needs with respect to the use of technology for teaching, learning, and school operations. Our current work is guided by a strategic plan, Leading, Inspiring and Empowering: The 2013-16 SETDA Strategic Plan, adopted by the SETDA Board of Directors in October 2012 after extensive consultation with the membership. The SETDA mission is to build and increase the capacity of state and national leaders to improve education through technology policy and practice.

Microsoft works with local, national, and international education communities to create technology, tools, programs, and solutions that help address education challenges, while improving teaching and learning opportunities. We believe that the evolving demands of the global economy make education vital to sustainable social and economic success. We also believe that education is a fundamental human right and is the single most important investment in the future of individuals, communities, the nation, and the world. We hope that technology can help extend powerful new education opportunities to millions of people. Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

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