TIP Update 2010
January 2010
All 27 TIP teachers who selected assistive technology equipment for their classrooms in early November came to SET-BC for training on Jan. 11th. SET-BC would like to thank these teachers for giving their time and energy to this project.
The full day training event began with Anne Johnson and Jamie Crum from TIP project partner Mayer Johnson . They provided an advanced level hands on session on Boardmaker Plus and demonstrated the new mobile activity player Mobile Activity Player - touchscreen computer | DynaVox Mayer-Johnson. Teachers learned how to use Boardmaker Plus and it’s picture based symbol system to create communication boards and also learning and literacy activities.
The communication theme continued throughout the morning with SET-BC SLP's Yvonne Green and Lorraine Kamp demonstrating how the communication technologies provided in the project can be used to facilitate student communication, choice making and active participation.
In the afternoon , teachers circulated through computer stations learning the features of switch software programs. SET-BC consultants Connie Bentley and Suzanne Harwood provided tips, strategies and resources to help teachers effectively use switches and switch software.
Overviews of Clicker 5 and Classroom Suite 4 software by SET-BC consultants Daphne Mercier and Yvonne Green completed the day with teachers learning software features and where they can access relevant resources and readymade activities in the SET-BC learning centre at the SET-BC website.
TIP project partner CanAssist is developing training materials for the switch adapted ipods each TIP classroom has received.