Using Technology to Engage Students With Learning Disabilities: (Corwin Connected Educators Series)

Leverage technology to engage students with learning disabilities! Harness the power of today’s technology to improve learning and engagement for students with learning disabilities.  By engaging students with learning disabilities using the technology already at your fingertips, you’ll see your students begin to thrive and grow in exciting new ways. In this volume in the Connected Educators Series, you’ll discover: New ideas for using assistive technology to teach core subjects and study skills How to build positive opportunities for students to show what they know Tools to provide better content accessibility How to help students connect and share through technology tools The Corwin Connected Educators series is your key to unlocking the greatest resource available to all educators: other educators. Being a Connected Educator is more than a set of actions: it’s a belief in the potential of technology to fuel lifelong learning. "Every educator can implement these methodologies to transform their learning environment into a place that honors and respects the differences of EVERY learner. Follow these simple steps: Read the book. Employ the content. Observe the successes. Then share those achievements with others!" Christopher R. Bugaj, Author and Presenter The Practical (and Fun) Guide to Assistive Technology in Public Schools "The authors have produced a practical approach to engaging students with learning disabilities. Educators will find great tools, ideas, and strategies to support students with learning challenges. Sprinkled throughout the book are case studies from noted educators, which are useful when thinking through the process of integrating technology in the classroom. This is a must read!" Brian S. Friedlander, Ph.D. AssistiveTek, LLC

Table of Contents:
Preface by Peter DeWitt and Ariel Price Introduction 1. What, How, and Why 2. Rocking Reading and Writing 3. Mastering Mathematics 4. Becoming a Study Skills Star 5. Show What They Know: Creation 6. Technology and UDL Appendix: The Language of Special Ed

About the Author :
Billy Krakower (@wkrakower) is a full-time teacher at Woodland Park Public Schools in Woodland Park, New Jersey, where he has taught computers and special education to grades 3 and 4 for over eight years. He is the Chief Financial & Event Officer for Evolving Educators, LLC (evolvingeducators.com). Billy co-moderates two weekly Twitter chats, #NJed chat and #satchat (for educational leaders). He co-hosts “SatChat Radio,” a weekly show interviewing educators on BAM Radio Network and available on iTunes. Billy is one of the lead organizers of edcampNJ and edcampLeadership North NJ. He is on the teacher advisory board for ReadWorks. Billy is a 2014 ASCD Emerging Leader, and a member of the NJASCD Executive board and serves as the Technology Committee Chair. He also served as co-director of NJ-ASCD Northern Region (Fall 2013 - June 2015). He has presented at more than 20 local and national technology conferences on topics including Twitters & You, The Science Behind a Mystery Location Call, and Connecting Beyond the Classroom. ? Billy has an Advance Certificate in Educational Leadership and a dual Masters Degree in Special Education & Elementary Education from Long Island University. Billy is a Google Certified Educator and an Edmodo Certified Trainer. You can read more about Billy, his awards, and his presentations at www.billykrakower.com. He is passionate about helping every child and adult enjoy and learn using technology tools in easy, fun and empowering ways. Sharon Plante, an educator with over 19 years′ teaching experience in special education, has been an educator at Eagle Hill-Southport for over eleven years, as well as currently serving as Director of Technology. She holds a B.A. in Child Development from Connecticut College, a M.Ed in Special Education from George Mason University, and a certificate in Administration and Leadership from Sacred Heart University. Sharon utilizes her educational training and love of technology to engage students with learning disabilities in building their skills and finding success. She has presented at Everyone Reading, EdRev, Edscape, ATIA (Assistive Technology Industry Association), IDA (International Dyslexia Association), and New York Chapter of ALTA (Academic Language Trainers Association), as well as at several Edcamps, on using technology to empower the dyslexic/LD learner. Sharon is the 2015-2017 chair of the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools Commission on Technology, as well as a member of the board for Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities. Additionally, she hosts a podcast for Bam Radio Network on Learning Differently bringing together the voices of those working in the many aspects of special education and blogs at iplantes.com. Sharon is a co-founder of #edtechchat, a weekly twitter chat and podcast. Additionally, she is the co-organizer of EdCampSWCT and EdCampCAIS.

Review :
"This books details a wide range of practical tools and strategies that aren′t just useful for students with learning disabilities. Every contemporary educator could implement these methodologies to transform their learning environment into a place that honors and respects the differences of EVERY learner. No matter the population of students with whom you work, follow these simple steps. Read the book. Employ the content. Observe the successes. Then share those achievements with others!" "Through the use of stories and examples from experts in the field as well as suggestions for possible AT tools, educators will be able to successfully match the unique needs of each individual student to the features of available technology supports." "Sharon and Billy have produced a practical and real approach to engaging students with learning disabilities. Educators will find lots of great tools, ideas, and strategies to support students with learning challenges. Sprinkled throughout the book are case studies from noted educators, which proves to be very useful when thinking through the process of integrating technology in the classroom. This is a must read!" "As of now there are about 20 books in the Corwin Connected Educator Series, a seemingly ever-growing set of titles masterminded by Peter DeWitt and Corwin Press. Each book is short enough to be read in one sitting, which makes the collection ideal for book studies and professional development, both during the summer and throughout the school year. Also, each paperback is authored by one or two educators who speak (and blog, tweet, etc.) with a credible voice in the world of connected education. Some of the topics include: Flipped leadership Tools for connecting educators, parents, and communities Blogging for educators Best practices for establishing a makerspace Tools to connect and empower teachers Finally, all of the authors are active on social media, and they regularly present at local conferences, which helps in bringing to life the contents of these books."