Welcome to the trick or treating edition of #ATchat. Tonight is our open forum of the month. Share ideas, questions, aha moments and anything else that is on your mind!
I yelled out at a group of kids who walked by my house and told them to stop in cuz I had A lot of full size candy bars. They turned around and a swarm of 20 kids showed up all at once. Otherwise, it was a very slow night. Anyone else have visitors? #ATchat
Last week,several of us (@mmatp, @iplante@NEATwithJamie@JhJhersh) spoke at the International Dyslexia Asso. conf. @NEATwithJamie set up an awesome AT Playground for participants to explore AT 4 LD. Making inroads into Dyslexia accommodations but still have a ways to go #atchat
Hello! One of my kids in clinic this morning told me “Happy Candy!” Which I figured was close enough & likely made more sense to him than “Halloween.” #atchat
Hello! One of my kids in clinic this morning told me “Happy Candy!” Which I figured was close enough & likely made more sense to him than “Halloween.” #atchat
Last week,several of us (@mmatp, @iplante@NEATwithJamie@JhJhersh) spoke at the International Dyslexia Asso. conf. @NEATwithJamie set up an awesome AT Playground for participants to explore AT 4 LD. Making inroads into Dyslexia accommodations but still have a ways to go #atchat
Feel like I am pulled in at least 3 directions- edtech/makered/AT. Lots of changes in personnel- makes continuity, establishing best practices hard #atchat
Last week,several of us (@mmatp, @iplante@NEATwithJamie@JhJhersh) spoke at the International Dyslexia Asso. conf. @NEATwithJamie set up an awesome AT Playground for participants to explore AT 4 LD. Making inroads into Dyslexia accommodations but still have a ways to go #atchat
Feel like I am pulled in at least 3 directions- edtech/makered/AT. Lots of changes in personnel- makes continuity, establishing best practices hard #atchat
My thought is the reading researchers do you want to know about assistive technology and this is the technology companies are ready to work with the reading researchers. This is some really exciting times. #atchat#dyslexia
What do you see as the next steps? What research projects are you hearing about? How is your research going? Sorry, I have you now and would love to learn more from you! #ATchat
This is so hard to summarize in the single tweet!! A giant message is the reading researchers are excited about working with technology for identification, remediation, and compensation. Of course most of this is ongoing work and not ready for prime time. #atchat
For me, every day is affirmation of the need for educators to learn about AT. Technology makes the difference -promotes success and independence. How can we spread the word? #ATchat
This is so hard to summarize in the single tweet!! A giant message is the reading researchers are excited about working with technology for identification, remediation, and compensation. Of course most of this is ongoing work and not ready for prime time. #atchat
I know it was last week but I’m curious for those who were at the conference now that you had time to reflect what do you think are the biggest things that those of us working with students with LD should know in terms of technology support or about the latest research? #atchat
It is spreading, ever so slowly. As more AT becomes mainstream tech, it is more available and visible. We have 2 more teachers taking a course like Jenn and Mike's at the local collaborative #atchat#buildingcapacity
In my building capacity grant, I’ve been getting push back on training staff b/c of turnover. While I can understand, I’m also struggling. It seems like there’s no school culture of AAC/AT use at all. And we won’t get there if no one learns b/c they might leave... #ATchat
My research is going well. There is some technical details were working out now then the data can be collected. The hurricane in Florida have slightly change my plans but but after some adjustments data collection will start. #atchat
What do you see as the next steps? What research projects are you hearing about? How is your research going? Sorry, I have you now and would love to learn more from you! #ATchat
Yes! I add in my reports, "Sometimes, AT adds a level of complexity that is burdensome." More does not equal better. Need to use SETT to determine exactly what a student needs. #ATchat
We get asked for comparison and feature matches all the time. I see lots of issues with these such as the more features could be seen as better but then what about usability. Also some features have more power than others. Any ideas on what people really need???
Yes our group is doing some of it as well as many other groups with universities across the country. The good news is the research really is becoming more common. #atchat
Aside from me, we have had 2 others and now 2 more teachers go thru at least one substantial AT course. One of the first group transferred to a new district before she even got to use her skills. But, that's the way it goes, still have to train. #atchat
Had that conversation today with a Director of Student Services. Just when you think you are all set with a program or team, there is turnover and you have to start over. Need to pass on the skills to replacements but that doesn't happen. #ATchat
In my building capacity grant, I’ve been getting push back on training staff b/c of turnover. While I can understand, I’m also struggling. It seems like there’s no school culture of AAC/AT use at all. And we won’t get there if no one learns b/c they might leave... #ATchat
We get asked for comparison and feature matches all the time. I see lots of issues with these such as the more features could be seen as better but then what about usability. Also some features have more power than others. Any ideas on what people really need???
I would love to say that we have a strong evidence base behind all the features but we really don't. We do know that some individuals benefit greatly from different features. The trend in the industry seems to be just adding all the features possible. #atchat
#atchat I would say that means we haven't gotten to build the capacity that is needed for sustainability. Turnover shouldn't make it go away. We need to look at models like MTSS/RTI that are becoming institutionalized.
Great question. I think it at least needs to be part of special education programs but ideally for all. IDEA 97 add AT must be considered for every student on an IEP and we need to equip teams to meet that mandate. #ATchat
#atchat I been thinking we need to align to standards. That is what teachers and students are accountable for. I think if we do this we will see some features are more important than others.
It depends on the standards of these can vary from state to state as well as district to district. Additionally the task of reading itself may be defined differently in earlier grades compared older grades. #atchat
And sometimes they will stay in district but go to a different school. But either way, I’m not ok with saying we’ll give up on these kids while they’re at this school b/c it has high turnover. Maybe w/better training & improved school culture, they’d stay. #ATchat
#atchat I would say that means we haven't gotten to build the capacity that is needed for sustainability. Turnover shouldn't make it go away. We need to look at models like MTSS/RTI that are becoming institutionalized.
From an AT supporter perspective I’m interested in being able to match tasks and needs of the student to a tool, to help determine what is the best in what situation #atchat
#atchat That is another question I have IDEA 97 made a mark with AT consideration. I think we need to continue to refine this. Too many people think that AT=AAC at this point. Many high incidence students forgetten because they can talk!
Sigh... but for many that still means checking a checkbox and callin' it done. Try as I might, I have yet to get adoption of a real AT plan- how we trial, who is involved, etc. #atchat
#atchat That is another question I have IDEA 97 made a mark with AT consideration. I think we need to continue to refine this. Too many people think that AT=AAC at this point. Many high incidence students forgetten because they can talk!
Even in places where AT is seated in an RtI/MTSS model, the sustainability is tough. Even when tools are available as UDL (snap and read is available district wide) getting them used as tier 1 is hard. #atchat
Yep I agree there are many interpretations of AT consideration. I hope to contribute to the research base on how to make recommendations for students with dyslexia. #Atchat
I do think teacher (& SLP & others) prep are part of the solution but AT/AAC aren’t static fields so ongoing professional learning is always going to be necessary. #ATchat
#atchat I agree but what I find is that most AT folks haven't looked at the standards so they really don't know what the tasks are the students are being required to do. I talk about "Close Reading and most people have no clue what I mean by this.
Here's a link to the SETT documents. It's a framework for identifying what a student needs and AT Recommendations. Check this out. https://t.co/9treyghBLB#ATchat
True. I can’t say I can’t quote them off the top of my head, but I do rely on my teachers who do know them. Walking thru SETT I ask them what the tasks are and make sure they are specific #atchat
#atchat I think we need to be good at creating habits and routines. I have a school where all students use Snap & Read to Proof read before handing in papers. Just had a district where they found usage made a difference and by monitoring it they had outcomes.
#atchat I agree but what I find is that most AT folks haven't looked at the standards so they really don't know what the tasks are the students are being required to do. I talk about "Close Reading and most people have no clue what I mean by this.
Definitely open to implementation ideas that are sustainable, anyone know if administrator walk thrus exist for AT use? General or tool specific? #atchat
So how do we get that published? We see objective evidence of quantifiable improvement, often times individually as well as more broadly. Must move beyond anecdotal results. #ATchat
#atchat I think we need to be good at creating habits and routines. I have a school where all students use Snap & Read to Proof read before handing in papers. Just had a district where they found usage made a difference and by monitoring it they had outcomes.
Agree, but we are being asked to track "AT" use, when the student is using the same stuff as everyone else- chromebook, R&W, etc... That data seems meaningless to me #atchat
Loved having all of you at @DyslexiaIDA last week. Already encouraging a few other AT individuals and group to look at coming and presenting next year. #ATchat
Last week,several of us (@mmatp, @iplante@NEATwithJamie@JhJhersh) spoke at the International Dyslexia Asso. conf. @NEATwithJamie set up an awesome AT Playground for participants to explore AT 4 LD. Making inroads into Dyslexia accommodations but still have a ways to go #atchat
#atchat I don't understand why any IEP with read aloud accommodations does not include data on AT usage. I think as we show outcomes, we will also have a better shot at getting it institutionalized!
This week, I've been showing teachers how to use Version History to help them see how their students' work evolved. It is amazing what you can discover from this underutilized tool in Google Docs. Could be useful in literacy research #ATchat
Yeah math is not on my side. But we have more than just me, kinda. My AT Team is me and an SLP...but this is a district wide support, initiated by my department. #atchat
Same here, great to see you at #DyslexiaCon18. Would love to have a follow-up conversation. The conference was one of the busiest conferences I've ever attended. #atchat
It can, But I think the loophole i see is that if were using it as a tier 1 support that includes a lot of kids without IEP’s or 504’s with no data based outcomes in the same way as there is with an IEP goal #atchat
It's a two pronged approach. We have to document how often a teacher encourages the students to use the read aloud accommodation. Too often teachers report, "we just read it to them" (even in high school!) Let's keep kids dependent on adults, please no! #ATchat
#atchat I don't understand why any IEP with read aloud accommodations does not include data on AT usage. I think as we show outcomes, we will also have a better shot at getting it institutionalized!
Great seeing you as well (and that chocolate buffet was amazing, wasnt it?) Some of us are thinking about organizing an AT for Reading and Writing type conference again. Look for more information! #ATchat
Loved having all of you at @DyslexiaIDA last week. Already encouraging a few other AT individuals and group to look at coming and presenting next year. #ATchat
Last week,several of us (@mmatp, @iplante@NEATwithJamie@JhJhersh) spoke at the International Dyslexia Asso. conf. @NEATwithJamie set up an awesome AT Playground for participants to explore AT 4 LD. Making inroads into Dyslexia accommodations but still have a ways to go #atchat
#atchat We also have to manage our expectations of what is good usage. We often want more usage with a goal of lots and lots of people using it all the time. I think we need research on usage that makes a difference!
It really is a paradigm shift in thinking.That was something that hit me when I first started working as an OT in schools.I immediately noticed, schools promote dependence on adults;tech promotes independence. Independence is in our OT DNA. We have a valuable perspective. #ATchat
#atchat We also have to manage our expectations of what is good usage. We often want more usage with a goal of lots and lots of people using it all the time. I think we need research on usage that makes a difference!
I would really be interested to hear more!! We really need to find the way to break the AT/reading barriers of access and respect. The chocolate was very yummy, sadly you missed a second round Friday evening. I enjoy being able to work and indulge a little. #ATchat
I think we find the successes and start to repeat them. Even if they are small. It is a shift to look at what IS working instead of what is not working. #atchat
Questions like these are on my long-term research agenda. Not all texts are best with assistive technology but it does help in many cases. For example, reading Shakespeare you might be better off getting an audio book because of the prosody requirements. #atchat
In reply to
@rziolkowski, @wernedat, @itsleel_, @KarenJan
#atchat I think where we want is our students know when they need it for what types of texts. I had a great experience talking with 2 students who knew exactly when to use TTS and when not to use it. They had opposite needs. It was so cool!
In reply to
@SarahGeissWood, @wernedat, @itsleel_, @KarenJan
Anyone have any ideas on how many students actually look at the screen for the entire time they're using text to speech? As a researcher I wonder what percent of the time they're really looking at the words while they are hearing them. #atchat
In reply to
@wernedat, @rziolkowski, @itsleel_, @KarenJan
#atchat. Thanks everyone... I would say Sarah-keep researching...Elisa-Keep your a big vision...Karen-keep building communities of learners...everyone..stay passionate! Have a great night!
And we take baseline of the student's performance, then introduce the technology and evaluate the differences. It's time to replace less effective methods which do not have a research basis (like worksheets and textbooks) #ATchat
I think we find the successes and start to repeat them. Even if they are small. It is a shift to look at what IS working instead of what is not working. #atchat
